Iowa Laws So Weird, They Can’t Be Real… Right?

We've all seen the stories about strange Iowa laws pop up in our social media feeds. Heck, we've probably even posted some on our website too. Many of these weird rules have taken on a life of their own. But are they actually true?

The Des Moines Register said Enough is enough. They dug through Iowa Code, sifted through archives, and accessed state records in an effort to set the record straight on some of Iowa's strangest laws. You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!

Do One-Armed Piano Players Have to Play for Free?

According to the Register, this is one of Iowa's most popular and most cited weird laws. But, according to Lorrie Pellack, head of research and instruction services at the Iowa State University Library, this is not part of any Iowa Code. She told the Register that at best, it is an urban legend or part of a very old city code.

Verdict: FALSE

In Ottumwa, a Man may NOT Wink at a Woman He Does Not Know

This one is fairly easy to confirm. A quick search of Ottumwa laws finds no mention of any winking laws, even though the Register reports that the city does have some rules involving public displays of affection. A check with the Ottumwa city administrator confirms that this is indeed not a law currently in the city, but may have been at one time.

Verdict: FALSE

You Have to Obtain an Iowa Drug Tax Stamp before Selling Illegal Drugs

Nothing like a tax on contraband. This strange law is another popular one on websites involving weird laws. But it actually does appear in Iowa Code 453B. The Register reports if caught having not paid their taxes, dealers can be forced to pay both the tax they didn’t pay on the amount of drugs in question and a penalty in the same amount.

Verdict: TRUE

Is It Illegal to Have a Snowball Fight in Iowa?

The Register reports that a search of Iowa code found no results for crimes involving snowballs. But the same can't be said for the city of Davenport. City Code reads that it is "unlawful for any person to play ball, throw stones or snowballs or other things in any street, alley or public place." What a bunch of fun haters.

Verdict: TRUE, but only if you live in Davenport, and only in streets, alleys, and public places.

You Can't Use a Dead Person's Handicapped Parking Sign or License Plate

This one isn't strange or weird. It's the law. The Register reports that under Iowa Code 321L3, it is a simple misdemeanor to knowingly use a person's parking permit for a person with disabilities parking permit after the person it was issued to has died.

Verdict: TRUE

A Man with a Mustache May Never Kiss a Woman in Public

This strange Iowa law is cited often online. The problem is, no sources are ever cited. The Register reports that a search of the Iowa Code also found no mentions of mustaches, beards, or sideburns. So, ladies, beware, the handlebar mustache is still legal.

Verdict: FALSE