In Florida, there are many laws that regulate daily life, from traffic rules to housing codes. However, some of them are shocking and the one that is the most curious is banning selling oranges on the streets of Miami Beach and do you know what? Those doing this can be fined and will have to pay up to $500!
We are used to experiencing laws that ban the use of smartphones or smoking, among many things, but… this? This is totally strange, so let’s find out more about it.
No more selling this food in Florida
Lawyer Michael T. Gibson, president of the law firm named after him, published on his website a list of unusual regulations still in force in Florida. Among them, the one that stood out the most was the banning of selling oranges on the streets of Miami Beach.
This regulation is in section 70-5 of the Miami municipal code and the main reason behind this rule is permits and licenses required for commerce and food handling.
The official text of the law of November 22 of 2002 states the following:
“It shall be unlawful for any person to peddle, offer for sale, serve, vend, or otherwise dispose of goods, wares, or products, including ice cream, soft drinks, sweetened beverages, and food products. Or for any person to set up or operate a stand, establishment, or vehicle for such purposes.”
Penalties in Florida for selling oranges with no permission
The consequences of breaking the law in Miami Beach are clear. According to what the law states, any person selling oranges or any other food product with no permission can face: a fine up to $500, a sentence of up to 30 days in jail, or a combination of both. In case of repeat offenses, the penalties increase: a fine of up to $1,000, a sentence of up to 12 months in jail, or both at the same time.
Just so you know, the local police department in Florida is responsible for enforcing this section of the code.
Other strange laws in Florida
Apart from banning selling oranges in Miami Beach, Michael T. Gibson listed other shocking regulations in different parts of Florida. Some of them seem obsolete whereas others surprise us because of their peculiarity. So, let’s have a look:
- In Destin it is banned to park a vehicle on a grave.
- In Sarasota you mustn’t sing wearing a bathing suit.
- In beauty salons it is prohibited to fall asleep under the dryer chair.
- In the entire state it is not allowed to leave your running vehicle unattended.
- In Pensacola, rolling a barrel down the street is prohibited.
Wait! That’s not over… There are more strange regulations, but this time they are traffic-related. Here you go:
- In Cape Coral it is illegal to park a vehicle on the grass outside a home, you should do it on pavement or in the driveway.
- In Palm Bay, it is not possible to tow a sled with a bicycle.
- In Hialeah, you will be fined if you drive too slow.
- In some places, if you tie an elephant to a parking meter, you must pay the meter fee just as if it were your car.
Gibson also mentioned the recently signed law by governor Ron DeSantis on the use of emergency lights in Florida.
So…
As you can see, it’s crazy that there exists some regulations… I mean, who would tie an elephant to a parking meter? However, no matter how strange these regulations are, they belong to the legal framework of Florida and citizens must follow the rules. What’s the most shocking rule you have heard?