A look at some of Surf City's quirky laws – past and present

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In 1916 the city adopted a law that regulated the sale of bread. It was illegal to make or sell bread that was not “the standard weight of all loaves of bread.”ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS MORRIS, FOR THE REGISTER

As social norms evolve, it's only natural for city laws to adapt and change along with the times.

In the 1920s, Huntington Beach leaders likely could not foresee the need to tell waitresses they must be clothed or to prohibit the inhalation of glue. Instead, regulating alcohol laws and how close couples could get in dance halls were the big issues.

Recently, City Clerk Joan Flynn's office commissioned a consultant to analyze the city's zoning and municipal codes, the books that govern Huntington Beach. A report on the findings is expected to come before the council in April.

"They didn't really see anything that was odd," Flynn said.

Outdated or quirky ordinances that no longer apply "come off as people see errors or things change."

City Attorney Jennifer McGrath said ordinances are removed the same way they go on – with two considerations and approval by the City Council.

Some of the proposed changes include modernizing the city rules and standardizing the layout and font in the city's books, officials said.

A language change is also proposed to reflect the times. All references to "fireman" or "policeman" would be switched to "firefighter" and "police officer."


Consuming alcohol: Prohibition outlawed the sale and consumption of alcohol in the country in the 1920s and '30s, and Surf City followed suit. A person caught with alcohol could get up to three months in city jail or a fine of up to $300 – a significant financial penalty in those days. However, there was an exception to the law: If a person had a prescription to use alcohol "for bona fide medical purposes," it was allowed. The prescription had to be verified and had to indicate exactly how much alcohol was to be consumed to cure the patient's ailments.

Dance halls: An ordinance adopted by the city in December 1921 regulated how residents could dance with each other at dance halls. Men and women had to have their hands in specific places and could not "dance with his or her cheek, or with his or her head touching the cheek or the head of his or her dancing partner." Also a no-no: "any passion dance, lewd or suggestive dance, indecent dance, sensual dance, or any dance involving the jerking or shaking of the body."

Bread regulation: In 1916 the city adopted a law that regulated the sale of bread. It was illegal to make or sell bread that was not "the standard weight of all loaves of bread." It only referred to loaves of bread and not to bread-like items such as crackers, pretzels, buns or biscuits. "Fancy bread" was also exempt from the regulations. Any person who violated the city's bread laws could be fined $100 or imprisoned in the city jail for up to 100 days.

Gun carrying: At one time, it was legal to pack heat on the streets of Surf City. Council members changed the law in April 1911, outlawing concealed weapons. However, the city marshal was able to give out concealed weapon permits if he found it to be necessary for that person to carry a gun for protection.

War time: During World War II, several laws were adopted to protect the city – establishing a civilian army, outlawing open fires at night and banning fireworks. The 1942 fireworks ordinance said that "the use of fireworks might seriously hamper and interfere with the defense of the United States, and might expose the oil fields within the city of Huntington Beach and expose the city to a serious fire."


Public nudity: The city did not have a public nudity ban until 2007, when the city got complaints about Michael Ferreira, a Naturist who lived two blocks from Main Street. Neighbors said they had seen him in his front yard sans clothing, and walking around naked with the doors and windows open. The complaints sparked a heated debate over whether Ferreira should be allowed to go nude in his home where his neighbors could see. Ultimately, nudity was banned and Ferreira moved from his Walnut Street home because he said he felt pressured to leave.

Glue sniffing: This ordinance seems very 1960s. And indeed, that is when the ordinance was put on the books – 1962. It is illegal in the city to sniff glue or any other adhesive for the purpose of getting high, the code says. It makes sense that something like this has managed to stay on the books – glue sniffers will not be tolerated in Surf City.

Hypnotism: Tapping in to someone's subconscious and forcing them to act strangely for the sole purpose of entertaining an audience is not allowed in Huntington Beach, according to a city law passed in 1976. Hypnotism for entertainment is outlawed, but licensed psychologists can practice it for medical reasons.

Clothed waitresses: In the 1920s city lawmakers wanted to make sure dance partners were keeping the appropriate distance apart. But in the 21st century city officials felt the need to spell out that waitresses need to be clothed while serving customers. In 1971, the city prohibited servers from waiting on tables without pants, or a top, or both. While it's understandable why an ordinance like this must be so specific, it's still entertaining to read the details about how breasts and butts must be concealed while food is served.

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