Bizarre Laws That Still Exist in Your State: Pennsylvania Edition

Pennsylvania’s law books are a fascinating mash-up of modern code and 19th-century oddities. Many of these statutes and regulations were reasonable when passed — and then were never cleaned up. Below are some of the most eyebrow-raising rules that can still matter for families, litigants, businesses, and property owners in the Commonwealth — what they actually say, why they survived, and what to watch out for.

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Family law & child-care regulations — “How far is that bathroom, exactly?”

Believe it or not, certain Pennsylvania regulations prescribe surprisingly precise distances for bedrooms and bathrooms. For example, in licensed child-care or residential facilities, a child’s bedroom may not be more than 200 feet from a bathtub or shower and a toilet. That rule is aimed at group homes and residential programs to ensure safe, reasonable access. It doesn’t mean your home is non-compliant if your upstairs bedroom is a few feet over the limit, but for facilities under state oversight, these quirky numeric rules are strictly enforced.

Tip: If you’re involved in custody placements or licensing disputes, measure distances the way inspectors do and document exceptions in advance.

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Family-law oddities that once shocked — and still exist on paper

Some criminal provisions that intersect with family life remain unusually specific. For example, Pennsylvania’s incest statute covers not only sexual relationships but also cohabitation and marriage within prohibited family relationships. While serious in intent, the broad and sometimes archaic wording makes it one of the more striking examples of how family relationships are regulated under state law.

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Civil litigation & property claims — adverse possession, prescriptive easements and “sleeping” landowners

Some doctrines that sound like folklore still power real lawsuits in Pennsylvania:

• Adverse possession: If someone openly and exclusively uses another’s land in a way that is obvious, hostile, and continuous for 21 years, they can actually acquire title to it.
• Prescriptive easements: A neighbor who continuously uses your land for access (such as a driveway or path) for the statutory period may gain a legal right to keep using it — even without a deed or written agreement.

Tip: In property disputes, photos, tax records, permits, and witness testimony about long-term use can make or break your case.

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Business law — archaic “blue laws” and the fortune-telling prohibition

Pennsylvania still has remnants of its old “blue laws.” For example, car dealerships may not finalize sales on Sundays — a restriction originally rooted in Sabbath observance. While it feels antiquated, dealerships and customers still need to work around it.

Another surprising one: fortune-telling for money is technically a crime in Pennsylvania. Tarot readers, astrologers, and palmists who charge for their services could, at least on paper, be prosecuted. Though rarely enforced today, this statute can still cause issues for small businesses in the spiritual-services industry.

Tip: If you’re launching a business in a quirky niche, double-check whether old laws could affect your operations.

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Real estate law — local oddities (and why Scranton hates pointed pickets)

Local ordinances often carry unique quirks. In Scranton, for example, fences with sharp, pointed pickets or barbed wire are banned on properties abutting streets. The classic “white picket fence” might be fine elsewhere, but not if it comes to a sharp point in Scranton.

Tip: Always review municipal codes before making exterior improvements — fines and removal orders are expensive surprises.

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Why these laws persist — and what lawyers should do about them

1. Historical inertia. Laws enacted for moral or safety reasons sometimes outlive their purpose.
2. Targeted enforcement. Many quirky rules are rarely enforced — until a complaint or creative prosecutor brings them back to life.
3. Litigation potential. Some “oddities,” like adverse possession, are real doctrines that frequently decide property rights.

Checklist for practitioners:

• Always review local ordinances before advising on property transactions.
• Audit business operations for day-of-week restrictions or niche prohibitions.
• In family or child-care cases, confirm compliance with numeric facility rules.

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Final thought — don’t laugh until you check the code

Many of Pennsylvania’s “bizarre” laws are relics; some are actively enforced; and some — like adverse possession — are far from funny when they determine who owns a piece of land. Whether you’re a lawyer, landlord, business owner, or parent, these oddities are more than trivia — they’re potential legal risk.