Weird Delaware Law Facts: Bizarre Rules You Didn’t Know Were Real
Dive into Delaware’s weirdest laws, from peculiar dress codes to strange hunting regulations. These bizarre rules are true, but they might surprise you!
The Claimed Law:
Thinking of a quick wardrobe switch inside your car? Think again. Fenwick Island might just lighten your wallet for that.
Fact Check: Fact.
In Article I Regulations Regarding Camping, Beaches, Parks and Vehicles [Adopted 7-31-1965 as Ord. No. 23] under “§ 116-5 Activities inside vehicles prohibited.” it states:
“It shall be unlawful for any person to live, dwell, cook, sleep, change clothes or use toilet facilities inside any vehicle within the corporate limits of the Town of Fenwick Island, Delaware.”
Resources:
The Claimed Law:
Every cat dreams of freedom, but in Delaware, they might need to be on a leash if they’re exploring beyond home turf.
Fact Check: Partial Fact.
While it might vary from one municipality to another, there’s some truth here.
For example:
- Newark Animal Control states:
“The city’s animal control ordinances require animals to be on a leash when they are off the owner’s property.”
- South Bethany states in ORDINANCE NO. 201-21 under § 30-1. Authority. It states:
“(C) The owner or lawful possessor of any cat which is a pet (as defined in this Chapter), whose cat is allowed to run at large outdoors, shall procure an identification tag for said animal. The identification tag shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the animal. Such tag shall be attached to a collar and secured around the neck of the cat.
(D) It shall be unlawful for any household to have more than four (4) cats which are allowed to run at large outdoors.”
Clarification:
“RUN AT LARGE” by definition means that the dog or other pet (like cats) is off the owner’s property and is not under control on a leash.
The Claimed Law:
At Delaware state beaches, you might be prohibited from tailgating after sunset.
Fact Check: Partial Fact.
Beach regulations often involve curfews or specific activities to protect local wildlife. While this one’s specifics are tricky to pin down, many beaches do have such rules.
For example, from Division of Parks and Recreation 9201 Regulations Governing State Parks, Section 11.0 Parking Violations, it states:
“11.2 It shall be unlawful for any vehicle to remain on lands administered by the Division after ‘closing hours’ for any day-use areas closed from sunset until 8 a.m.”
The Claimed Law:
It is illegal for pawnbrokers in Delaware to accept as a pledge or pawn any artificial limb or wheelchair.
Fact Check: Fact.
In TITLE 24 Professions and Occupations, CHAPTER 23. Pawnbrokers, Secondhand Dealers and Scrap Metal Processors, it is prohibited for pawnbrokers to accept any artificial limb or wheelchair as a pledge or pawn. This regulation aims to protect individuals who rely on such essential items for mobility and daily living.
The Claimed Law:
Horse racing was banned on Sundays. That was amended to ban horse racing on only Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Fact Check: Fact.
In Title 28 Sports and Amusements under Chapter 9 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS, Subchapter I General Provisions, it dictates:
Ҥ 906 Prohibition of horse racing on Good Friday or Easter Sunday.
There shall be no horse racing of any kind on Good Friday or Easter Sunday. (28 Del. C. 1953, § 906; 59 Del. Laws, c. 25, § 1.)”
The Claimed Law:
Alcohol can be sold on Sundays only between noon and 8 p.m.
Fact Check: Fact.
In TITLE 4 Alcoholic Liquors and Marijuana, CHAPTER 7. Regulatory Provisions under § 709. Prohibition of sales and delivery at certain times, it states:
“(b) During the months of October through December, a holder of a license for the sale of alcoholic liquor for off-premises consumption shall be permitted to have sales take place beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Fridays through Saturdays.
(c) No holder of a license for the sale of alcoholic liquor for on-premises consumption shall sell the same between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.”
The Claimed Law:
Hunting is prohibited on Sundays, except fox hunting with dogs.
Fact Check: Fact.
In Delaware Hunting and Trapping Laws and Regulations under section SUNDAY DEER HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES, it quotes:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO HUNT ON SUNDAY, except to chase red fox in season, on commercial shooting preserves, and to hunt deer on private land and designated publicly owned lands.”
The Claimed Law:
“Adult entertainment establishments” must be closed on Sundays.
Fact Check: Fact.
In TITLE 24 Professions and Occupations, CHAPTER 16. Adult Entertainment Establishments under § 1625. Rules and prohibitions relating to adult entertainment establishments, it states:
“(b) No adult entertainment establishment shall open to do business before 10:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday; and no adult entertainment establishment shall remain open after 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. No adult entertainment establishment shall be open for business on any Sunday or a legal holiday as designated in § 501 of Title 1.”
The Claimed Law:
You cannot use a drifting gillnet for fishing until after 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Fact Check: Fact.
In TITLE 7 Conservation Game, Wildlife and Dogs under § 923. Gill nets; restrictions on use; seasons, it states:
“(c) Unless otherwise authorized by a scientific permit issued by the Division, no person shall fish any drifting gill net in the tidal waters of this State during the period 12:01 a.m. Saturday through to 4:00 p.m. Sunday or on a legal state holiday during a period beginning at midnight May 10 and ending at midnight on September 30 next ensuing during any calendar year.”
The Claimed Law (Rehoboth):
Topless bathing suits are prohibited for females over the age of 5. The top has to cover everything below the upper portion of the nipple. Therefore, a 6-year-old girl could get cited if her swimsuit top or shirt is off.
Fact Check: Fact.
In Article III Offenses Against Morals [Adopted 11-8-1974 as Ch. 11, Art. 8, of the 1974 Code] under § 198-13 Topless bathing suits prohibited, it quotes:
“No female over the age of five years shall wear a topless bathing suit or otherwise fail to cover her breasts with less than a full opaque covering of any portion thereof below the upper portion of the nipple.”
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The Claimed Law (Rehoboth):
Whispering, talking, swearing, rude or indecent behavior is prohibited around a congregation or assembly met for religious worship or within 300 feet of the place of worship.
Fact Check: Fact.
In Article IV Offenses Against Public Peace and Safety [Adopted 11-8-1974 as Ch. 11, Art. 9, of the 1974 Code] under § 198-23 Disturbing religious worship and lawful assemblies, it states:
“A. No person shall disrupt or disturb any congregation or assembly met for religious worship by noise, talking or whispering, or by rude or indecent behavior, or by profane language within their place of worship, or within 300 feet of the place of worship.”
Resources:
The Claimed Law (Rehoboth):
In Rehoboth Beach, alcoholic beverages are illegal in dance halls or dance clubs.
Fact Check: Fact.
In Chapter 134 Dance Halls or Dance Clubs [HISTORY: Adopted by the Commissioners of the City of Rehoboth Beach 5-12-1995 by Ord. No. 595-1. Amendments noted where applicable.] under § 134-13 Alcoholic beverages prohibited, it quotes:
“No person shall sell, give, dispense, provide or keep or cause to be sold, given, dispensed, provided or kept any alcoholic beverage on the premises of any dance hall establishment.”
A dance hall is considered any establishment other than a restaurant where dancing by patrons takes place or where dancing by the patrons is permitted to take place – including dance clubs. In these establishments, you cannot sell, dispense or provide alcohol.
Resources:
The Claimed Law (Rehoboth):
In Rehoboth Beach, it is illegal to change your clothes in your car, if located in a public place, and in a public bathroom.
Fact Check: Fact.
In Article III Offenses Against Morals [Adopted 11-8-1974 as Ch. 11, Art. 8, of the 1974 Code] under § 198-15 Changing clothes in comfort station prohibited [Amended 6-16-2008 by Ord. No. 0608-02], it states:
“No person shall change his clothing from bathing suit to street clothes or otherwise within the comfort stations maintained by the City. Any violation of this section is declared a civil offense pursuant to Chapter 126 of the Municipal Code of the City of Rehoboth Beach.”
Resources:
The Claimed Law:
Rated R movies can’t be shown at drive-in theaters.
Fact Check: Fact.
In TITLE 11 Crimes and Criminal Procedure Delaware Criminal Code CHAPTER 5. Specific Offenses Subchapter VII. Offenses Against Public Health, Order and Decency under § 1366. Outdoor motion picture theaters, it states:
“(a) Whoever being the owner or operator of an outdoor motion picture theater exhibits or permits to be exhibited any film not suitable for minors or harmful to minors and which film can be viewed by such minors not in attendance at the said outdoor motion picture theater shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.”
The Claimed Law:
You cannot pretend to sleep on a bench on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk.
Fact Check: Fact.
In Article IV Offenses Against Public Peace and Safety [Adopted 11-8-1974 as Ch. 11, Art. 9, of the 1974 Code] under § 198-30 Sleeping on boardwalk [Amended 6-16-2008 by Ord. No. 0608-02], it states:
“No person shall sleep, lie or occupy as a sleeping quarter, or under the guise of pretending to sleep on the boardwalk, any bench located on the boardwalk in any pavilion located at the end of any street or on any bench located on any street. Any violation of this section is declared a civil offense pursuant to Chapter 126 of the Municipal Code of the City of Rehoboth Beach.”
Resources:
The Claimed Law:
If you get married on a dare, you are legally allowed to get an annulment.
Fact Check: Fact.
In TITLE 13 Domestic Relations CHAPTER 15. Divorce and Annulment under § 1506. Annulment, it states:
“(a) The Court shall enter a decree of annulment of a marriage entered into under any of the following circumstances:
(6) One or both parties entered into the marriage as a jest or dare.”
Here are a few more:
Delaware may be known for its scenic beaches and rich history, but it’s also home to some of the most unexpected and unusual laws. Whether it’s bizarre rules about alcohol, hunting, or even the way you dress, these laws might seem unbelievable—but they’re real. The next time you’re in Delaware, keep an eye out for these quirky regulations—you might just find yourself following one without even knowing it! Stay informed and stay out of trouble with these strange yet true Delaware law facts.
