8 strangely illegal things in Laurel Hollow

Cursing in public, sporting a bathing suit in public and making noise on Sundays are illegal activities in the Village of Laurel Hollow. Violators of these local laws and others could face hefty fines or even jail time.

1. Visibly wearing a bathing suit
A good cover-up could keep a person out of jail in Laurel Hollow. Anyone sporting a visible bathing suit or bathing garment on any public street, path or highway in the village could find themselves in troubled waters. The village code states that unless the bathing attire is hidden from view by either “a coat or cloak extending from the shoulders to below the knees,” the wearer could be hit with a fine as high as $250, a maximum 15-day jail sentence, or both.

2. Changing clothes in a car
Cars are not for quick changes, at least not in Laurel Hollow. The village code prohibits people from using vehicles on any public highway or any place exposed to public view for the purpose of dressing or undressing. Anyone caught switching wardrobes inside their set of wheels will be subject to fines up to $250 and jail time not to exceed 15 days.

3. Cursing in public
Laurel Hollow also has its own swearing jar -- and it takes more than quarters. People found guilty of using “profane, vulgar or obscene language” in any place “where others are present” can expect to pay a fine of up to $250 or spend up to 15 days in jail, according to Chapter 85 of the village code, which is titled “Peace and Good Order.”

4. Not minding a dog’s business
If Fido defecates on a public or private property within Laurel Hollow, his owner could pay for it with a fine or even jail time. That is, unless he “immediately” picks up the dog’s business or has permission from the land owner to let the animal relieve itself there. The village code states: “It shall be presumed that a dog defecating on private property of a person other than the dog’s owner or possessor does so without the consent of the owner or person in possession of such private property.” The code is also pretty specific about how the dogs’ feces should be handled. It must be placed “in a plastic bag, which shall be sealed and deposited in a covered garbage receptacle.”

5. Making noise after 6 p.m. or anytime on Sundays
Laurel Hollow residents have an early curfew. The village code prohibits anyone from conducting any activity on a street, public grounds or private property between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. on weekdays or Saturdays that could create noise that might annoy or disturb a village resident. Sundays and legal holidays are especially quiet in the village, which bars these types of activities during all hours on these days, unless warranted by an emergency. Violators of this law could be fined anywhere between $250 and $1,500 or up to 15 days, or both.

6. Skinny dipping near shore
Only deep-water skinny dipping is permitted in Laurel Hollow. The village code dictates that anyone who wishes to swim sans a bathing suit must be more than 1,500 feet from shore. Swimming “in a state of nudity” or in a bathing suit or costume that “indecently or immorally” is also prohibited at any public or open tank, pool or bath within the village. Exhibitionists could face a maximum fine of $250, up to 15 days in jail or both.

7. Being a litter bug
The Laurel Hollow village code states: “No person shall throw, place, deposit, dump, litter, leave or permit to remain or suffer or permit any servant, agent, employee or person in his or her charge to throw, place, deposit, dump, fitter, leave or permit to remain any ashes, garbage, tin cans, discarded or unusable automobiles, automobile parts, bottles, dead animals, grass, flammable materials, junk, leaves, lumber, metal, plastic, putrescible substances, waste, wastepaper or refuse matter or rubbish of any kind on the surface of any street, public grounds or private property in this village for the purpose of abandonment or otherwise.” Translation: Don’t litter. Violators could be hit with a fine not to exceed $250 or a jail sentence not to exceed 15 days, possibly both.

8. Idling in ‘annoying’ crowds
If a group is standing around in Laurel Hollow, they better have a purpose -- one that doesn’t bother anyone else in town. In addition to prohibiting riots and noisy activities, the village code also states that “no persons shall collect in crowds for unlawful or idle purposes to the annoyance or disturbance of citizens or travellers.” This law also carries a fine of as much as $250, a maximum 15-day jail sentence, or both.

--with Ted Phillips

Source: Laurel Hollow village code