8 Weird Laws in Arizona That Are Surprisingly Still on the Books
By Qutubuddin · Published Jan 2024
Arizona became a state in 1912 — the last of the contiguous 48. Its legal code reflects frontier history, extreme desert climate, and a political culture that takes property rights seriously. Some of the laws below are actively enforced. Some are historical relics. All of them are real, with statute numbers you can look up yourself.
Damaging a saguaro cactus is a Class 4 felony
Cutting down, destroying, or removing a saguaro cactus without a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture is a Class 4 felony.
Statute
Arizona Revised Statutes § 3-904
Enforcement status
Actively enforced — the Arizona Department of Agriculture investigates violations
Why this law exists
Saguaro cacti can live 150–200 years and are a protected native species. The law was passed to stop the commercial theft of mature saguaros, which were being dug up and sold to landscapers. A Class 4 felony carries a presumptive sentence of 2.5 years in prison.
Driving around a flood barricade makes you liable for rescue costs
If you drive around a barricade into a flooded road and require rescue, Arizona law allows emergency services to bill you for the cost.
Statute
Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-910
Enforcement status
Actively enforced — rescue costs regularly billed to drivers
Why this law exists
Known informally as the "Stupid Motorist Law," this was passed after repeated incidents during Arizona's monsoon season where drivers ignored flood barricades and required expensive helicopter or boat rescues. Flash floods in Arizona are among the deadliest in the US.
Hunting camels is prohibited
Arizona law prohibits hunting camels. This is not a joke — it is in the Arizona Revised Statutes.
Statute
Arizona Revised Statutes § 17-301 (prohibited wildlife)
Enforcement status
Technically enforceable; practically irrelevant
Why this law exists
The U.S. Army imported camels to Arizona in 1856 for the Camel Corps experiment. When the program ended, some camels were released into the desert. The hunting prohibition was added to protect them. The last confirmed wild camel sighting in Arizona was in the early 1900s.
Donkeys cannot sleep in bathtubs
A 1924 Kingman, Arizona ordinance prohibits keeping a donkey in a bathtub. This is one of the most cited "weird laws" in the US — and it is real.
Statute
City of Kingman, Arizona — 1924 municipal ordinance (historical)
Enforcement status
Defunct; the ordinance is historical and not enforced
Why this law exists
The story behind this law is actually documented. In 1924, a merchant kept a donkey in a bathtub on his property. A flood swept the bathtub — with the donkey in it — into a valley, requiring a costly rescue. The town passed the ordinance shortly after.
It is illegal to refuse a person a glass of water in Arizona
Arizona law requires that any establishment serving food or drink must provide water to any person who requests it, free of charge.
Statute
Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-601 (public health provisions)
Enforcement status
Actively enforced as a public health measure
Why this law exists
Arizona's extreme heat makes dehydration a genuine public safety risk. The law reflects the state's recognition that denying water in a desert climate can be life-threatening. Temperatures in Arizona regularly exceed 110°F in summer.
Cutting down a cactus on your own property still requires a permit
Even on private land, removing a native cactus — including saguaros — requires a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
Statute
Arizona Revised Statutes § 3-904 and § 3-905
Enforcement status
Actively enforced — applies to private landowners
Why this law exists
The permit requirement exists to track the movement of protected native plants and prevent commercial theft disguised as private removal. Landowners who need to remove a cactus for construction must apply to the state and often must relocate the plant rather than destroy it.
Feeding wildlife in state parks is a criminal offense
Feeding wildlife in Arizona state parks is a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to four months in jail and a $750 fine.
Statute
Arizona Revised Statutes § 17-309
Enforcement status
Actively enforced in state parks and wildlife areas
Why this law exists
Feeding wildlife habituates animals to humans, which typically leads to the animal being euthanized when it becomes aggressive. Arizona Game and Fish actively enforces this to protect both wildlife and visitors.
Biting off someone's ear is a more serious crime than biting off their nose
Arizona's assault statutes historically classified injuries differently based on body part. Ear injuries and nose injuries carried different sentencing guidelines.
Statute
Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1204 (aggravated assault)
Enforcement status
Absorbed into general aggravated assault statute; body-part distinctions largely removed in modern revisions
Why this law exists
Early criminal codes often specified injuries in granular detail because courts needed clear guidance on sentencing. The body-part specificity reflects 19th century legal drafting practices rather than any particular legislative intent about ears versus noses.
Legal disclaimer
These laws were verified using Arizona official legislative records and municipal codes. Last reviewed: April 2026. Laws change — always verify with a licensed attorney before acting on legal information. This page is for informational and entertainment purposes only.
More state law guides
Texas
Cattle rustling and tiger ownership
Ohio
Fish intoxication and whale hunting bans
Kentucky
Ice cream and bathing oddities
Michigan
Chicken transport and Sunday laws
Missouri
Bear wrestling regulations
New York
Puppet show and street performance laws
North Carolina
Bingo and singing regulations
Pennsylvania
Fortune telling and car sleeping laws
✍️About the Author
Qutubuddin is the founder of Weird 'n' Silly, where he personally tests and reviews the internet's funniest products. Got a weird product in mind? Reach out here.
💖 A proud father of 3 lovely daughters and a cute son! 👨👧👧👧👦