North Dakota
Weird Laws in North Dakota: Which Are Still on the Books?
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 21, 2026). · 3 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
We checked four claims from popular lists of weird North Dakota laws against the North Dakota Century Code and, for the fireworks claim, a city rule, as of October 21, 2026. One state law turned up, limited to retail sales, one claim belongs to the cities, and for two no state law was found in the Century Code. For other states, see our weird laws by state guide.
Weird laws in North Dakota: the verdicts
Each claim below was checked against the North Dakota code and, where it names a town, the local code. 4 claims checked.
The claim: Beer and pretzels may not be served together in a bar or restaurant.
What the law says: No North Dakota statute found barring beer and pretzels from being served together. The state's liquor licensing law does not say which foods may be served with beer; where it mentions food at all, it is to favor places that serve meals (for example, people under 21 may stay in a restaurant that is separated from its bar area and whose food sales at least equal its dining-area alcohol sales).
No state law found in the North Dakota code as of October 20, 2026.
How we searched
We searched the North Dakota Century Code for any mention of pretzels, and read the alcoholic beverage general provisions and retail licensing chapters for any rule on food served with beer.
Parts of the code read
- North Dakota Century Code Chapter 5-01 (alcoholic beverages: general provisions)
- North Dakota Century Code Chapter 5-02 (alcoholic beverages: retail licensing), full text
No town code was checked for this claim.
Primary source · Checked October 21, 2026.
The claim: Fireworks after 11 p.m. are illegal.
What the law says: North Dakota state law has no 11 p.m. fireworks cutoff. N.D.C.C. ch. 23-15 bans fireworks except as the chapter allows (it permits listed consumer fireworks to be sold by licensed retailers June 27 to July 5 and December 26 to January 1), with violations a class B misdemeanor, but it sets no hours of use. Hour limits come from cities: Devils Lake's official fireworks permit form restates the city rule that no one may set off fireworks except between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., and only July 1 to July 5. Other cities set their own rules.
Primary source · Checked October 21, 2026.
The claim: It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on.
What the law says: No North Dakota statute found against lying down and falling asleep with your shoes on.
No state law found in the North Dakota code as of October 21, 2026.
How we searched
We searched the full text of the North Dakota Century Code for any rule on sleeping or lying down with shoes on, and read the miscellaneous offenses chapter and the lodging establishment rules on sleeping rooms.
Parts of the code read
- North Dakota Century Code Chapter 12.1-31 (miscellaneous offenses, including disorderly conduct)
- North Dakota Century Code Chapter 23-09 (lodging establishments, including sleeping-room and sanitation rules)
No town code was checked for this claim.
Primary source · Checked October 21, 2026.
The claim: Selling artificially colored potatoes is illegal.
What the law says: North Dakota bans retail sale of artificially colored potatoes (a class B misdemeanor); the Department sets by regulation what counts as 'artificial coloring'.
“No person may sell at retail any potatoes which are artificially colored.”
Penalty: Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a class B misdemeanor. (§ 19-22.1-03)
No court opinion in our database cites this section.
Primary source · Checked October 21, 2026.
Checked October 21, 2026. This is legal history and information, not legal advice. Laws change; the linked official text is the authority.
Artificially colored potatoes
The potato claim is the real one. Chapter 19-22.1 of the Century Code opens with a one-line ban:
No person may sell at retail any potatoes which are artificially colored.
Under section 19-22.1-03, violating the chapter is a class B misdemeanor. The Department decides by regulation what counts as artificial coloring.
Fireworks and the 11 p.m. cutoff
The 11 p.m. rule is local. State law, N.D.C.C. chapter 23-15, bans fireworks except as the chapter allows, and it permits licensed retailers to sell listed consumer fireworks from June 27 to July 5 and December 26 to January 1. Violations are a class B misdemeanor, but the chapter sets no hours of use.
Hours come from cities. The City of Devils Lake's official fireworks permit form restates the city rule:
No person shall set off, explode or detonate any fireworks other than during the hours between 8:00 A.M. and 11:00 P.M.
Devils Lake also limits use to July 1 through July 5. Other cities set their own rules.
Beer, pretzels and shoes
No North Dakota statute was found that keeps beer and pretzels apart. We searched the Century Code for pretzels and read the alcoholic beverage chapters, 5-01 and 5-02. The retail licensing law does not say which foods may be served with beer. Where it mentions food, it favors places that serve meals: for example, people under 21 may stay in a restaurant that is separated from its bar area and whose food sales at least equal its dining-area alcohol sales.
The shoes claim also came up empty. We read the miscellaneous offenses chapter (12.1-31, which includes disorderly conduct) and the lodging establishment rules on sleeping rooms (23-09). Neither says anything about lying down or sleeping with shoes on. City codes were not checked for either claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to sell colored potatoes in North Dakota?
Yes. N.D.C.C. 19-22.1-01 provides that no person may sell at retail any potatoes which are artificially colored, and a violation is a class B misdemeanor under 19-22.1-03.
What time do fireworks have to stop in North Dakota?
State law, N.D.C.C. chapter 23-15, sets no hours of use. Cities set their own rules; in Devils Lake, the city permit form restates a rule allowing fireworks only between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., and only July 1 to July 5.
Can a North Dakota bar serve beer and pretzels together?
No North Dakota statute was found that bars serving beer and pretzels together, as of October 21, 2026. The state retail liquor licensing law does not say which foods may be served with beer.
Is it illegal to sleep with your shoes on in North Dakota?
No North Dakota statute was found against lying down and falling asleep with shoes on, as of October 21, 2026.
What are some weird laws in North Dakota?
Of the 4 claims checked, the state ban on retail sale of artificially colored potatoes is on the books, and the 11 p.m. fireworks cutoff is a city rule in Devils Lake.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
Sources and References
- N.D.C.C. Chapter 19-22.1, artificially colored potatoes (North Dakota Legislative Branch)(ndlegis.gov).gov
- City of Devils Lake Fireworks Permit form (City of Devils Lake)(dvlnd.com)
- N.D.C.C. Chapter 5-02, alcoholic beverages retail licensing (North Dakota Legislative Branch)(ndlegis.gov).gov
- N.D.C.C. Chapter 12.1-31, miscellaneous offenses (North Dakota Legislative Branch)(ndlegis.gov).gov