10 Strange Laws Only In North Carolina

A Charlotte resident who likes to go outside his home in the nude is apparently stirring up his neighbors. And creating questions as to what is legal and not legal in the Tar Heel State regarding nudity in public.

For the record, there are general laws on the books that prevent people from exposing themselves. As for the resident who was seen hanging outside his home in the nude is well within his rights. Technically, there is nothing police can do. The man, also known as the "naked neighbor" was in his own yard.

However, if that same man had traveled to a nearby park in the nude, things would have gone differently for him. According to North Carolina law, anyone who shows their private parts in a public place is in violation of the states indecent exposure law.  The state defines private parts as male and female genitalia. That does NOT include buttocks or breasts.

The NC law on indecent exposure is pretty clear --  no being naked, showing your genitalia in a public place.  But, what about the NC laws that most don't likely know even exists? Or even are aware that they are illegal?

Let's take a look at a few NC laws on the books that could land you in trouble IF you don't know about them. Keep in mind, these are laws ONLY in the Tar Heel State.

This one may surprise, especially as many 'happy hour drink specials' you hear advertised. But,  labeling it or calling it a "Happy Hour" in NC is illegal. The trick here is Happy Hour specials can only be offered for 'food.'

This may be one of the craziest laws in North Carolina! It's next to you can't rollerblade on a state highway. This law actually makes sense. You wouldn't want to be involved in a hit & roll:)

According to Forest City Town Hall, the law dates appeared just after horse and buggy days. And when automobiles first surfaced. The idea was to prevent the early, noisy cars from scaring horses tied in town. Clearly, they forgot to update the record books.

The Fayetteville Observer has learned bingo night in North Carolina cannot go into the wee hours of the night. It's on law books that the number of bingo sessions sponsored by an exempt organization are limited to two sessions per week. And those sessions cannot exceed five hours each.

The law does not apply to bingo games conducted at fairs and other exhibitions.

Here's one that's really surprising and tragic in some cases. If you live in NC and marry someone and either you or that person does not have the capacity to have ordinary sexual intercourse or are impotent where the impotency is permanent and incurable, the other party can go to court to void the marriage. That's a NC law. Wow.

Just because your business is illegal, doesn't mean you can avoid 'Uncle Sam.' Even if you deal in unauthorized substances, including alcohol, North Carolina law says you still have to pay taxes. Rates vary depending on weight.

This pertains to restaurants that offer outdoor seating. They must post a menu outside to be readable by those in proximity, but it can't be read by those on the street. By the way, you cannot drive your car on the sidewalk to get a better view of the menu.

Thank goodness North Carolina now has a lottery. But before, just having a lottery ticket was a crime. It could have gotten you a $2,000 fine if you were caught with one.

It's still a hard pill to swallow for visitors or recent transients, but North Carolina is the only state in the country where alcohol is controlled by both the ABC and a council of more than 160 local boards. This law has been on the books for a while, too with no hint of going away.

If you've gone to Karaoke to sing, you've likely broken this law already. In North Carolina, it's against the law to sing off key! This wacky law dates back to the 19th century. Legend has it a Lumberton, NC man was fined for singing loudly and poorly.