Jon Mani | May 15, 2026 | Ohio Law
Ohio has been a state for more than 200 years, which means lawmakers have had plenty of time to fill the books with all kinds of statutes and local ordinances. Most of these are perfectly reasonable and intended to benefit society as a whole, but let’s just say that a select few do not quite fit that description and have not aged well over time.
Continue reading to learn about five commonly cited Ohio legal myths and odd ordinances. Some may be outdated, rarely enforced, or difficult to verify without checking the Ohio Revised Code or local municipal code. If you’ve recently been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, reach out to a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation.
1. It Is Illegal to Get a Fish Drunk
Under Ohio law, it is technically a violation to intoxicate a fish. While the origins of this rule are unclear, it may have been enacted to prevent people from using alcohol and other substances to stun fish and make them easier to catch.
2. You Must Honk Your Horn Every Time You Pass Another Vehicle
According to Ohio law, drivers must honk their horn whenever they pass another car. If everyone actually followed this rule, highway driving would sound like a parade. This is not something you will see enforced during your morning commute.
3. Women Are Prohibited From Wearing Patent Leather Shoes in Public in Cleveland
This old Cleveland city ordinance reportedly banned women from wearing patent leather shoes in public. The concern behind the law was that the shoes’ reflective surfaces could allow bystanders to see a reflection of what lay beneath a woman’s skirt.
4. It Is Illegal to Display Dyed Chickens for Sale in Akron
If you were planning to sell dyed chickens in Akron, think again. Local law prohibits the sale and display of artificially colored chickens. This ordinance was likely enacted to prevent harm to the animals, since the dyeing process can be stressful and even dangerous for poultry.
5. You Cannot Walk a Cow Down Lake Road in Bay Village
Bay Village, a suburb of Cleveland along the Lake Erie shoreline, has an ordinance that specifically prohibits walking a cow down Lake Road. Other roads in town are presumably fair game. What prompted this rule is anyone’s guess, but it remains one of the most oddly specific local laws in the entire state.
Ohio’s Laws That Can Actually Impact Your Personal Injury Case
The laws above are interesting to think about, but Ohio’s personal injury laws are far more relevant to everyday life.
Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind:
- Ohio follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning you can recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% at fault.
- The statute of limitations for most cases is two years from the date of the accident, though there are exceptions.
- Ohio is an “at-fault” state for car accidents, meaning you can take action directly against the opposing party instead of going through your own insurance.
An experienced personal injury attorney in Columbus can advise you on how these laws and others apply to your case during a free consultation.
Contact Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers, Personal Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation With Our Columbus Personal Injury Lawyers
Ohio may have some unusual laws on the books, but its personal injury laws are no laughing matter. If you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, reach out to Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with a Columbus personal injury lawyer today. You may be able to recover substantial compensation that makes you whole again and holds the opposing party responsible for what they’ve done.
We proudly serve clients throughout Franklin County from our Columbus, OH, office and throughout Kanawha County from our Charleston, WV, office.
Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers – Columbus, OH Office
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Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers – Charleston, WV Office
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About the Author
Jon Mani is a founding partner and personal injury attorney at Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers. With over 20 years of experience representing injured individuals in West Virginia and Ohio, Jon focuses on complex cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, nursing home abuse, catastrophic injuries, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. He is known for his strategic, hands-on approach to litigation and has held leadership roles within the legal community, including serving as President of the West Virginia Association for Justice. Click here to see some of the firm’s most notable case results.
Locations: Charleston, WV, and Columbus, OH
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