10 Of The Most Unusual Laws For Homeowners That You've Never Heard About

Being a first-time homeowner can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming at times. No one tells you about all of the legal requirements or things you should know about owning a home. It's usually your responsibility to educate yourself about homeownership laws in your area. The problem with this is you sometimes find out the hard way that there are things homeowners can and can't do. Sadly, when you do something wrong, it may even come with legal consequences. You see, there are a lot of different laws that you, as a homeowner, might unknowingly be breaking, such as where you can place your trash cans or how high your fence can be. Some can cost you fines or even jail time.

As homeowners, we know some common things to do to avoid breaking laws where we live. You have to pay your taxes, have homeowners' insurance, follow zoning laws, get permits for renovations, and keep your home safe for the community. But there are some laws that can seem outdated or even weird. Many states still have some of these strange laws on the books; some of them are enforced while many are just ignored. There are even common laws that say you can't whistle while you walk, wrestle a bear, or tie a giraffe to a telephone pole. It's no surprise there are some odd laws that exist which apply to homeowners.

It is illegal to grow dandelions taller than 10 inches in the city of Pueblo, Colorado. According to Pueblo Code of Ordinances § 7-4-2, it is illegal to grow any weeds in your yard in excess of 10 inches. While dandelions are not specifically mentioned, they are included in the definition of "weeds." Not to worry if you didn't have a chance to mow your lawn this week; it is unlikely this law is strictly enforced. However, if your lawn becomes an eyesore, you could face a fine of up to $1,000.

With the holidays nearly upon us, it's good to know the decorating rules for homeowners. Anyone who lives in San Diego might want to know that it's illegal to keep lights up past February 2. If you're the type who puts off taking your lights down until the last minute, you might get a late Christmas lump of coal in your stocking in the form of a fine from the city for $250. What a way to say "bah humbug," San Diego!

If you were dreaming of a home with a white picket fence, you might have issues if you live in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Scranton city council requires that you check with them before you build that picket fence in your front yard. Ever since an issue happened in the 1800s involving a horse-drawn buggy and a picket fence, they've been turning people down who like the pointed look. If you're a new homeowner in the area, just go with a dog-ear fence and avoid the council altogether.

Sometimes the law doesn't just apply to your home — it can also apply to your neighbor's. In the state of Florida, it's against the law to knowingly fail to control or report a structure fire if you are contractually obligated to prevent fires or you started the fire. This law could apply to you if you were an off-duty firefighter or volunteer firefighter, but this law doesn't apply to the average citizen unless you set the fire. Better be sure you're the first one to call 911, or your neighbor might be able to sue you. 

In July of 2011, Tennessee passed a law that not only made it illegal to share your Netflix password with those who don't live in your home, but also any streaming service password. Not that any of us would ever do something dishonest like share our passwords. The law was actually geared toward hackers who steal passwords and sell them, but there is really no way to enforce it. But, if you are caught, it's a misdemeanor that can fetch you a $2,500 fine, a year in jail, or both.

Technically, every state has what is known as "adverse possession" laws. This means if certain requirements are met, a complete stranger can go from being a squatter in your home to owning the home. Most of these requirements include a time frame, with California and Montana having the shortest time period of five years of continued occupation all the way up to 30 years for Louisiana and New Jersey. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on any property you own that you aren't living in.

In Ridgeland, Mississippi, it is illegal to put security bars on the outside of your home's windows. If you were considering adding extra security for your home, Ridgeland is not the place to do it. Not sure you'd want to live in a place that you couldn't build security into your home. However, there is no law prohibiting bars on the inside of your windows.

There are a lot of states that have regulations against outdoor home maintenance activities on Sunday, but leaf blowers are quickly becoming the target of complete prohibition. Many people complain that they are too noisy and create too much pollution. This is the reason laws have been put in place to prevent their use not just on Sunday, but altogether. It's a good idea to check your local laws.

Boulder, Colorado, started a trend when the city made it illegal to have any furniture that is not exclusively meant for outdoor use outside of your home. Many other states have now put similar laws into place. If you were thinking of having grandma's sofa out next to the firepit, it could cost you.

While we found many urban legends about laws pertaining to donkeys in bathtubs, only one similar law is actually on the books. In South Carolina, it is illegal to keep a horse in a bathtub. If you were planning to own a home in South Carolina and keep your horse in your master bathtub, you're out of luck.