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Why Can’t No More Than Six Women Can Live Together in Maricopa County, Arizona?

December 3, 2014

In Florida, it’s illegal to break more than three dishes in a day; in Louisiana, you can get fined $500 for having a pizza delivered to someone without their knowledge. There’s no denying that this country’s legislators have passed some strange laws; however, everyday citizens tend to make up laws that are even stranger. In Maricopa County, Arizona, for example, it’s widely believed that no more than six unrelated girls or women can live in the same house.

If more than six women live together, they must be up to no good—specifically, they must be operating a brothel. That’s the mentality that gave rise to this ridiculous urban legend. Still, this “law” has been accepted as truth by Phoenix-area residents since at least since the 1960s. In fact, this myth is often cited as a major reason for the lack of sorority houses at Arizona State University.

It should be noted that there are laws in Arizona that limit the number of people who can live together; however, these laws have nothing to do with gender. In Tempe, AZ, for example, no more than three unrelated people can live together in a single-family home. The law is designed to prevent a large number of people from cramming into a relatively small space.

If you and the other members of your all-female band want to move into a Phoenix house together, you will not be denied on the assumption that you intend to start a brothel. However, you may be denied because of the sheer number of housemates, regardless of gender.

Arizona has its fair share of ridiculous laws. If you are unjustly charged of a crime, consider hiring a Tucson criminal defense attorney. Attorney Janet Altschuler can help the court see your side of the story.

This article is part of a collection of The Most Ridiculous Laws in the United States! Some of these laws are downright hard to believe. Do you know what might be illegal in your state?

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