Where you can go Topless in the United States
Compared to some countries, The United States may seem to have a very conservative view on nudity, sex, drugs and other controversial topics. However, if you look hard enough, there are some areas that allow you to get away with a lot more than you would think. I mean, 10 years ago it would have seemed crazy to actually be able to buy weed legally, and now we have public cannabis stores, weed bars, cannabis events and just about anything you would have flown to Amsterdam for back in the day. Sex and nudity will always be a hot topics and while it may be some time before you can see a nipple on TV, there are actually quite a few place where public nudity isn’t frowned upon. From nude beaches in San Francisco to just being able to walk around topless throughout a state, things have definitely gotten a lot less conservative in recent years.
From Time Magazine:
“Local officials in the Venice Beach neighborhood of Los Angeles voiced support this week for allowing women to sunbathe topless, calling the move “a serious equality issue” and citing the city’s Italian namesake as one of many European regions where toplessness is socially acceptable. But topless sunbathing is illegal in the city and county of Los Angeles, and the local disagreement is just the skin of a patchwork of nudity laws and customs that vary by state and municipality across the country.
The vast majority of states actually have laws on the books making clear that women can’t be arrested under state law solely for being topless in settings where it’s OK for men. But many local ordinances ban the practice anyway. And there’s plenty of grey area for police officers to make their own interpretations and make arrests for “public indecency” or “disorderly conduct.”
Celebrities like Chelsea Handler and Miley Cyrus have been public critics of what they call a double-standard that women face when it comes to going shirtless, and have tried to get Instagram to stop taking down photos of breasts, garnering some support with the hashtag #FreeTheNipple. Scout Willis, daughter of the actor Bruce Willis illustrated the point that women are technically permitted to walk the streets of New York City topless—but not to post topless photos on Instagram—by posting shirtless photos of herself on city sidewalks to Twitter.”
The United States Topless Map
The Map Below from Go Topless shows a simple map of where you may have an easier time enjoying a walk with your breasts exposed.
Green colored States: Take those tops off!
Orange colored States: Ambiguous state laws.
Red colored States: According to State Laws, any showing of the female breast in public is illegal.
Though the majority of states are top free, some cities in those states have passed (unconstitutional) ordinances that annul the state’s top free statute.
Topless Cities
The following cities are are confirmed for being topless. However, you should always double check so you don’t end up in some embarrassing legal issues:
Asheville, North Carolina
Austin, Texas
Boulder, Colorado
Columbus, Ohio
Eugene, Oregon
Honolulu, Hawaii
Keene, New Hampshire
Key West, Florida (at Fantasy Fest)
Madison, Wisconsin
New Orleans, Louisiana (only at Mardi Gras)
New York City
Portland, Oregon
Santa Fe, New Mexico
South Miami Beach, Florida (only on the beach)
Washington, DC
How can I find out if it is legal to go topless in my city?
Review State and Local Laws: Begin by examining your state’s public decency or indecent exposure statutes. While some states permit toplessness, local ordinances may impose stricter regulations. For instance, in California, state law allows public nudity that is neither lewd nor offensive, but cities like San Francisco have specific ordinances that ban public nudity, including toplessness, in certain areas
Consult Municipal Codes: Access your city’s municipal code, often available on the city’s official website or at local libraries. Search for terms like “public nudity,” “indecent exposure,” or “dress code” to find relevant ordinances.
Contact Local Authorities: Reach out to your city’s non-emergency police line or city attorney’s office for clarification on local laws regarding toplessness. They can provide authoritative information and guidance.
Seek Legal Counsel: If uncertainty persists, consult a legal professional familiar with local laws to ensure you understand the regulations and potential consequences.
Is It Possible to Be Arrested for Going Topless in a City That Allows It?
Even in places where toplessness is legally permitted, there’s still a chance of facing arrest under charges like “disorderly conduct.” However, don’t let this discourage you! If the only reason for your arrest is going topless, you may have grounds for a wrongful arrest lawsuit against the city. This is exactly what Phoenix Feeley did in New York City back in 2005.
Click here for the Time Article
Other Weird and Interesting Laws
It is kind of amazing how many odd laws exist and how you can do something legally in one city and find yourself in some trouble for doing the same thing in another city. Here are a few more interesting facts about things you can’t do (or can) in the United States:
Walking with an Ice Cream Cone in Your Pocket in Alabama: Believe it or not, carrying an ice cream cone in your back pocket on Sundays is illegal in Alabama. Originally, this law was meant to prevent horse thefts, as people would lure horses away with the sweet treat!
Dancing on Sundays in Topeka, Kansas: While it may seem a little “Footloose,” Topeka had a ban on dancing on Sundays in public spaces up until fairly recently. The law has been relaxed, but it was a strange holdover from days when dancing was considered improper on Sundays.
No High-Heels on Certain Streets in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California: This picturesque town prohibits wearing high heels taller than two inches without a permit. The quirky ordinance was enacted to reduce liability from people tripping on the town’s uneven sidewalks.
Releasing More than 10 Balloons in New York State: In New York, releasing more than 10 balloons into the air within a 24-hour period is illegal due to environmental concerns. It’s meant to prevent litter and protect wildlife that could be harmed by balloon debris.
You Can Eat Roadkill in Montana: In Montana, it’s actually legal to take home and eat an animal hit by a vehicle. This “roadkill salvage” law is aimed at reducing waste, but don’t worry—permits are required to keep things regulated.
No Swearing in Public in Rockville, Maryland: For those who find themselves prone to cursing, be careful in Rockville, where it’s technically illegal to use profane language in public. Violators can face a fine if caught.
It’s Illegal to Feed Pigeons in Venice Beach, California: Known for its bustling boardwalk, Venice Beach enforces a strict “no feeding pigeons” rule to keep the seagulls and pigeons in check, protecting both tourists and the local ecosystem from feathery overload.
Flipping Coins in Colorado Springs for Beer: Flipping a coin to decide who pays for drinks is a friendly wager many of us have made, but in Colorado Springs, this innocent game is against the law if it involves alcohol. It’s intended to prevent gambling on drinks.
