Texas is known for doing things bigger, bolder and a little differently. That includes its laws.
While many outdated statutes across the country quietly fade into obscurity, Texas still has a handful of laws and local ordinances on the books that sound more like urban legends than enforceable rules.
Some were created for problems that no longer exist. Others technically still apply — even if no one’s been cited for them in decades. Either way, they offer a fascinating glimpse into how life (and lawmakers’ priorities) once looked in the Lone Star State.
Here are eight Texas laws and ordinances that are strange, outdated or just plain head-scratching — but real.
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1. You can’t sell your organs (but blood and hair are fine)
Under Texas Penal Code §48.02, it is illegal to sell human organs or tissue, including kidneys, lungs, hearts, eyes and skin. A violation is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, which can carry penalties of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
The law applies to both selling and purchasing organs — a detail many people don’t realize. At the same time, Texas law allows the sale of blood and hair. Same body, very different rules, and a reminder that not everything you can donate is something you’re legally allowed to sell.
2. Milking someone else’s cow is considered theft
If you’ve ever wondered whether you can milk a neighbor’s cow without asking, Texas has a clear answer: absolutely not.
Early Texas law treated unauthorized milking as its own offense, reflecting just how valuable livestock once was. Historical notes in the state’s penal code show the prohibition dates back to the mid-1800s, when even small losses could have real economic consequences.
That standalone offense was later removed, but the behavior itself didn’t become legal. Today, milking someone else’s cow without permission is still prohibited under Texas law — it’s simply categorized as theft of personal property.
It may sound strange now, but when cattle were central to daily life and livelihoods, this was serious business — and Texas law continues to reflect that reality.
3. Windshield wipers are required — even if you don’t have a windshield
Texas law requires vehicles to have functional windshield wipers, but it does not require every vehicle to have a windshield. In fact, the windshield itself isn’t a mandatory inspection item under the Texas Transportation Code.
That’s why some open-top or modified vehicles — like Jeeps with fold-down windshields — can legally be driven without glass, as long as the driver’s vision isn’t obstructed. If a windshield is present, the wipers must work properly. If there’s no windshield, drivers still need a clear line of sight.
4. Sitting on the sidewalk can cost you $500
Under Galveston city ordinances, sitting on the sidewalk can result in a fine of up to $500, particularly when it involves loitering or blocking pedestrian passage.
The rules are intended to keep walkways clear and manage the use of public spaces, especially in busy tourist areas. Enforcement typically hinges on whether the sidewalk is obstructed, but the ordinance itself is broadly written. As a result, the severity of the penalty often surprises visitors who don’t realize that a casual rest in the wrong place could come with a hefty price tag.
5. You’re not allowed to release “obnoxious odors” in an elevator
Under Port Arthur city code, it’s illegal to emit “noxious or obnoxious odors” in an elevator.
The law falls under public nuisance and health regulations. While it’s rarely enforced today, it technically remains valid — making it one of the more unintentionally relatable laws still on the books.
There are plenty of strange laws on the books that made sense when they were written but feel out of place today. The video below highlights some of the most believably unbelievable laws from across the country — a reminder that context matters, even when a law sounds ridiculous.
6. Some blue laws still shape everyday life
Texas has repealed many of its old “blue laws,” but several still quietly influence daily routines. Liquor stores remain closed on Sundays, and car dealerships are required to close one day each weekend — either Saturday or Sunday, but not both.
These laws are so ingrained that many Texans don’t even question them, even though they’re remnants of decades-old morality codes.
7. You can’t carry wire cutters in your pocket
In Austin, carrying wire cutters in your pocket was historically prohibited under local ordinances. The restriction is commonly traced back to disputes between ranchers over open land versus fenced property.
Rather than settling who had the right to fence land, lawmakers took a more indirect approach: limiting access to the tools most often used to cut fences. While modern enforcement focuses more on intent — such as theft or vandalism — than on the mere possession of wire cutters, the rule remains a telling example of how Texas law once tried to prevent neighbor-on-neighbor sabotage.
8. Texas recognizes marriage without a ceremony (or even both people present)
Texas recognizes both informal (common-law) marriage and proxy marriage, and both can be legally binding.
Informal marriage doesn’t require a ceremony or license. Instead, it requires mutual agreement, living together and publicly representing yourselves as married. Proxy marriage allows one party to be absent — often used by military members stationed overseas.
These marriages carry real legal weight, particularly in inheritance disputes, wrongful death claims and personal injury cases. In other words, this isn’t just a quirky loophole — it can have serious consequences.
