Blue Laws by State 2026

Sunday Alcohol Sales Restrictions

Blue laws most commonly affect alcohol sales, and the rules vary widely by state. Some states—such as Arizona, California, and Nevada—allow all types of alcohol to be sold in grocery stores and permit Sunday sales. Others limit grocery stores to beer or beer and wine only, while liquor must be purchased from specialty stores.

In states like Texas, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Utah, liquor stores are closed on Sundays even if other alcohol sales are permitted.

In several states, Sunday alcohol sales depend on the county. Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, and South Carolina, among others, allow certain counties to prohibit Sunday sales while neighboring counties permit them. As a result, Sunday alcohol availability often varies not just by state, but by local jurisdiction.

Sunday Hunting Restrictions

While many states allow hunting on Sundays, several still maintain restrictions rooted in traditional blue laws. In Connecticut, Maine, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, Sunday hunting is either fully prohibited or significantly limited under state law.

In these states, restrictions often apply regardless of the type of game, though there may be narrow exceptions. For hunters, this means planning around an additional closed day each week—something that remains a longstanding feature of wildlife regulation in certain parts of the country.

Sunday Vehicle Sales Restrictions

Another common blue law involves car dealerships. In states such as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania, vehicle sales are prohibited on Sundays under state law.

Texas takes a slightly different approach: dealerships must close either Saturday or Sunday, giving businesses flexibility while still maintaining a mandatory day off. These rules were originally intended to provide a guaranteed rest day for employees and to reduce competitive pressure among dealers, and they remain in effect in several states today.

Notable Local Blue Laws

In some states, blue laws exist only in specific counties or municipalities rather than statewide. New Jersey’s Bergen County is one of the most well-known examples, where the sale of clothing, electronics, and furniture is prohibited on Sundays. Within Bergen County, the town of Paramus enforces even stricter rules that limit most types of commercial activity.

Other states also allow counties to opt in or out of certain Sunday restrictions, particularly involving alcohol sales. This means that blue laws can vary not only by state, but by county or city, making local regulations especially important to review.