Is it legal to be nude in one's own backyard?
AS long as your not putting it in someone's face so to speak I thibnk it should be. I mean really, it's your own back yard.
You'd think that, but it is not always the case. I know that over here you can be charged with indecent exposure if a neighbor can look into your garden and takes offense at seeing you walking around naked. The punishment can be a fine ranging from 26 to 500 euros, or even a prison sentence of 8 days up to a year. It's definitely a smart thing to check your local legislation first, and perhaps, if necessary, even inform your neighbors about your preference to walk around in your garden in the buff.
The laws on nudity differ from state to state, and are usually "covered" under "acts of lewdness". The burden of proof is on you to prove that you are NOT exposing your self to "purposely aruouse or gratify the sexual desires..."
For more ondiffering state laws please go to: Naturist Action Commiteeand look up your state.
Jen
There was a case in PA several years ago where a gentileman was gardening or sometimes just sitting on his back porch nude. They brought charges against him but the judge threw them out. Distance was considiered, time of day, I beleive his not purposely trying to be seen. We have a very private back yard and deck where we sunbathe, cook, and just plain hang out nude. This time of year before the leaves are out full we are very careful with our neighbors. They have property that butts right against ours so if they really wanted too they could find a spot to look in. They would then probably go to jail if they pressed charges because they would have to make the attemt to see us. The husband has on occasions taken a peak at my wife. We don't care we are true naturists, she has been seen naked by more men than you can count. We actually sit down and have drinks and I even deer hunt with him. It is never brought up in conversation but then again we are considerate of them.
Also, put up a fence grow thick bushes do not push it. In my opinion exposing ones self to a non nudists does nothing for our cause.
The laws on nudity differ from state to state, and are usually "covered" under "acts of lewdness". The burden of proof is on you to prove that you are NOT exposing your self to "purposely aruouse or gratify the sexual desires..."For more ondiffering state laws please go to: Naturist Action Commiteeand look up your state.Jen
Jen thanks for the link. It seems the description for New Jersey can be subjective to any judge depending on their stance. If they think a naked women in her own backyard is causing arousal of a male neighbor just by being naked in the backyard then I can see them throwing the book at me. The next house I purchase will be more private. Might be moving to Chico California soon though - anyone know anything about Chico because I sure don't?
I live in the States - New Jersey. Anyone know what the laws are regarding nudity in your own backyard?
From NAC's website is below is about NJ. However, your specific community might have other laws/covenants.
NEW JERSEY
2C:14-4. Lewdness.
a. A person commits a disorderly persons offense if he does any flagrantly lewd and offensive act which he knows or reasonably expects is likely to be observed by other nonconsenting persons who would be affronted or alarmed.
b. A person commits a crime of the fourth degree if:
(1) He exposes his intimate parts for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the actor or of any other person under circumstances where the actor knows or reasonably expects he is likely to be observed by a child who is less than 13 years of age where the actor is at least four years older than the child.
(2) He exposes his intimate parts for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the actor or of any other person under circumstances where the actor knows or reasonably expects he is likely to be observed by a person who because of mental disease or defect is unable to understand the sexual nature of the actor's conduct.
c. As used in this section:
"lewd acts" shall include the exposing of the genitals for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of the actor or of any other person.
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[NAC NOTE: In 1999, Sen. James Cafiero introduced a bill (S 1912) to allow municipalities to pass regulations prohibiting nudity on land owned by the state. The bill, which was intended to stop nudity at Higbee Beach, passed and was signed into law. It has become part of an existing state law under TITLE 40 MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES (40:48-1), which also allows municipalities to "punish beggars" and "prohibit the annoyance of animals."
In 2000, the legislature passed an additional measure (S 1225 - also authored by Sen. Cafiero) that closed a loophole concerning state ownership of land within municipal boundaries, versus state management, lease or other control of the land. ]
40:48-1. Ordinances; general purpose
40:48-1. Ordinances; general purpose. The governing body of every municipality may make, amend, repeal and enforce ordinances to:
Finances and property. 1. Manage, regulate and control the finances and property, real and personal, of the municipality;
Contracts and contractor's bonds. 2. Prescribe the form and manner of execution and approval of all contracts to be executed by the municipality and of all bonds to be given to it;
Officers and employees; duties, terms and salaries. 3. Prescribe and define, except as otherwise provided by law, the duties and terms of office or employment, of all officers and employees; and to provide for the employment and compensation of such officials and employees, in addition to those provided for by statute, as may be deemed necessary for the efficient conduct of the affairs of the municipality;
Fees. 4. Fix the fees of any officer or employee of the municipality for any service rendered in connection with his office or position, for which no specific fee or compensation is provided. In the case of salaried officers or employees, such fee shall be paid into the municipal treasury;
Salaries instead of fees; disposition of fees. 5. Provide that any officer or employee receiving compensation for his services, in whole or in part by fees, whether paid by the municipality or otherwise, shall be paid a salary to be fixed in the ordinance, and thereafter all fees received by such officer or employee shall be paid into the municipal treasury;
Maintain order. 6. Prevent vice, drunkenness and immorality; to preserve the public peace and order; to prevent and quell riots, disturbances and disorderly assemblages;
Punish beggars; prevention of loitering. 7. Restrain and punish drunkards, vagrants, mendicants and street beggars; to prevent loitering, lounging or sleeping in the streets, parks or public places;
Auctions and noises. 8. Regulate the ringing of bells and the crying of goods and other commodities for sale at auction or otherwise, and to prevent disturbing noises;
Swimming; bathing costume; prohibition of public nudity. 9. Regulate or prohibit swimming or bathing in the waters of, in, or bounding the municipality, and to regulate or prohibit persons from appearing upon the public streets, parks and places clad in bathing costumes or robes, or costumes of a similar character; regulate or prohibit persons from appearing in a state of nudity upon all lands within its borders which are under the jurisdiction of the State including, without limitation, all lands owned by, controlled by, managed by or leased by the State;
Prohibit annoyance of persons or animals. 10. Regulate or prohibit any practice tending to frighten animals, or to annoy or injure persons in the public streets;
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