Little Known Property Laws

Smith Hanten

.

 

Attention Residents of
Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens,  (aka “BoCoCa”)
Park Slope, Gowanus, Red Hook
And all of New York City!

Have you ever thought of putting on a puppet show for the local kids (or adults)? Do you have a nice street level picture window that would make a perfect performance “stage” for such a fun activity?
Well, think twice before you do it!
Believe it or not, under “Title 10 > Chapter 1 > Section 10-114” of the New York City Administrative Code, it is “unlawful for any person, from any window or open space of any house, or building, to exhibit to the public upon the street, or the sidewalk thereof, any performance of puppet or …moving figures” and any person convicted of this “shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars, or imprisonment for thirty days, or both.”
Of course, the odds that you would actually be charged and convicted I imagine are probably pretty darn slim. But this is just one example of weird little-known laws, codes, regulations, etc. that relate to you and your property
• Under the same New York City regulation above, “It shall be unlawful to give any exhibition of climbing or scaling on the front or exterior of any house or building.”
• When riding an elevator in New York City, it is required to “talk to no one, and fold [your] hands while looking toward the door.”
• In New York State, you need a license to hang clothes on a clothes line to dry. (I can only imagine how many Brooklynites are in violation!)
• In San Francisco, no potted plants outdoors. San Francisco may be the city of free love, but that does not extend to potted plants! If you leave your cherished potted succulents outside, city officials can throw them away immediately and, even worse, present you with a fine.
• In Ridgeland, Mississippi: No burglar bars outside your house. If you want a little more home security, you might want to get a German Shepard, because this small city has said NO! to installing burglar bars outside your home.
• And if you have a vacation home over the river in New Jersey: No house painting on Sunday, so remember to get your exterior painting done during the week! It’s illegal to do any house painting outside on Sunday. (That’s ok, who wants to paint on the weekends anyway?

Hope you enjoyed reading this, and remember, when it comes to property laws – BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!