Every law is a great law until you break it, amirite? Well, except these ones, which show that Milwaukee and Wisconsin’s politicians throughout history were perhaps doing some drinking-and-legislating. Ponder these unique laws:
1) You are legally obligated to recycle
At least certain items. Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 287 passed in 1990 and has at least doubled the amount of solid waste being recycled in the state. In effect, most residential offenders will never be prosecuted, but it’s still a jerk move against the environment. Recycle, you fools; we have a crazy-cool facility downtown doing the dirty work (that you can also visit).
2) “Fancy” riding of a bicycle is prohibited
All photos by Joe Powell for The Squeaky Curd.
Milwaukee City Ordinances, Chapter 102-7-3 takes all the fun out of biking, outlawing “remov(ing) both hands from the handlebars, or feet from the pedals, or practice any acrobatic or fancy riding on any street”, as well as “transport(ing) or carry(ing) more persons than the bicycle was designed to carry”. No more of that dastardly peg-riding, you hooligans!
3) No “play vehicles” on the streets or alleys
Alderman Tony Z (referencing State Statute Section 346.78) reminds us that “play vehicles”, defined in 1983 as “a coaster, skate board, roller skates, sled, toboggan, unicycle or toy vehicles”, are prohibited from streets and alleyways. Keep your coasters to your backyards, and your unicycles to your hipster hangouts.
4) Liquor stores can sell beer until midnight
Although it may seem like all liquor stores close shop at 9PM, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Publication 302 outlines that alcohol sales cease at 9PM, while beer and wine sales can continue until 12AM. Most simply don’t want to go through the trouble of limiting the products sold at different hours. Open back up, Pick’N’Save! Daddy needs his High Life.
5) There’s no legal “closing time” on New Years Eve
My NYE resolution was to double-fist beers and never take down my Christmas tree.
According to that same publication: bars must cease alcohol sales at 2AM on weekdays and 2:30AM on weekends, but never are required to stop the party on New Years Eve.
6) Bars can sell alcohol to children of any age
This kid had a few too many milks.
Most Wisconsinites repeat the old adage that anyone 16+ can be served alcoholic beverages at a bar if with a parent/guardian, but in fact the Wisconsin law is broader still: an underage drinker of any age can be served with the permission (and presence) of a parent, guardian, or spouse of legal drinking age (at the discretion of the establishment, of course). Why do you think beer gardens are so popular?
To our loyal lawyer and law enforcement readers: please send us more state and city laws we’re not following or are just plain strange.