Unusual Laws
Though often mistakenly thought of as an urban myth, the municipal code bans wearing shoes having heels more than 2 inches in height or with a base of less than one square inch unless the wearer has obtained a permit for them. While the local police do not cite those in violation of the ordinance, this seemingly peculiar law was authored by the city attorney in the 1920s to defend the city from lawsuits resulting from wearers of high-heeled shoes tripping over irregular pavement distorted by tree roots. Permits are available without charge at City Hall.
Another unusual law, prohibiting selling and eating ice cream on public streets, was a focus point of Clint Eastwood's campaign for mayor in 1986. He, and the new council elected along with him, overturned the ordinance and other similar laws that they considered to be too restrictive of businesses.
Read more about this topic: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Famous quotes containing the words unusual and/or laws:
“... it was not very unusual at Washington for a lady to take the arm of a gentleman, who was neither her husband, her father, nor her brother. This remarkable relaxation of American decorum has been probably introduced by the foreign legations.”
—Frances Trollope (1780–1863)
“In time of war the laws are silent.”
—Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 B.C.)