OREGON - Oregon, known for its rugged coastline, craft breweries, and "Keep Portland Weird" mantra, is often seen as a bastion of individual liberty. However, the Beaver State has a unique set of laws and geographic quirks that can catch visitors—and even some long-time residents—off guard. Here are a few things you can't do in Oregon.
1. You Can't Always Pump Your Own Gas
For 72 years, Oregon was famous (or infamous) for being one of only two states where it was illegal to pump your own gas. While the law finally changed in August 2023, it isn't a total free-for-all yet.
- The Rule: Under the new law, gas stations in Oregon's most populous counties (such as Multnomah, Washington, and Lane) may now offer self-service, but they must keep at least half of their pumps designated for full-service with an attendant.
- The Catch: If you're in a hurry and pull up to a full-service pump, you still can't hop out and do it yourself—you have to wait for the attendant.
2. You Can't Use Canned Corn as Bait
If you're heading out for a day of fishing at one of Oregon's pristine lakes, leave the Green Giant at home.
- The Law: In Oregon, it is illegal to use canned corn as bait for fishing in most bodies of water.
- The Reason: This is a conservation effort. Corn is not part of a fish's natural diet and can be difficult for them to digest. More importantly, "chumming"—throwing handfuls of corn into the water to attract fish—is strictly prohibited as it can pollute the water and disrupt the ecosystem.
3. You Can't Buy Hard Liquor in Grocery Stores
Much like Pennsylvania, Oregon maintains a strict handle on spirits.
- The Monopoly: You cannot buy vodka, gin, or Whiskey at a typical grocery store or pharmacy. Instead, all distilled spirits are sold through Oregon Liquor Search agents—state-contracted, privately-operated liquor stores.
- The Difference: While you can find beer and wine almost anywhere, the "hard stuff" requires a dedicated trip to a state-regulated shop.
4. You Can't Hunt in a Cemetery
This might seem like common sense, but it is a specific, explicitly stated law in Oregon.
- The Statute: It is illegal to hunt, trap, or discharge a firearm within the boundaries of any cemetery in the state.
- The Respect: Beyond the safety concerns, the law is designed to protect the solemnity and peace of burial grounds from being disturbed by hunting activities.
5. You Can't Eat Ice Cream on Sundays (In Certain Towns)
This is one of Oregon's most famous "zombie laws"—archaic rules that remain on the books but are no longer enforced.
- The Myth: Legend has it that in Oregon, you cannot eat ice cream in public on Sundays.
- The History: This originally stemmed from a "Barber's Blue Law" intended to discourage people from congregating at soda fountains on the Sabbath, which supposedly kept barbers overworked. While you won't be arrested for enjoying a sundae in Portland today, the law technically still exists in some local municipal codes.
6. You Can't Juggle Without a License (In Hood River)
If you're a traveling performer heading to the scenic town of Hood River, make sure your paperwork is in order.
- The Ordinance: In the city of Hood River, it is technically illegal to juggle in public without a city-issued license.
- The Vibe: While enforcement is rare, it's a quirky reminder of how local towns in Oregon try to manage "street performances" and sidewalk traffic in their historic downtown districts.
7. You Can't Predict the Future (In Yamhill County)
If you have "the gift," you might want to keep it to yourself when traveling through Yamhill.
- The Ban: In Yamhill County, it is illegal to practice "occult arts," which include fortunetelling, astrology, and palmistry for money.
- The Science: Local lawmakers historically viewed these practices as unscientific or deceptive, leading to a ban that still lingers in the county code today.
Oregon'sunique blend of modern "Right to Repair" laws (enacted in 2025!) and 19th-century blue laws makes it one of the most interesting legal landscapes in the country.