THIS WEB PAGE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS!
There are often a lot of question about whether thong swimwear is legal in one state or another, or one city or another. This page was created in an attempt to answer those questions.
This page currently applies only to the United States. You can generally tell if thongs are legal by examining the state’s public indecency or indecent exposure law. If it refers only to the genital being exposed, then thongs are definitely legal from a state perspective (some cities, towns, etc., may have ordinances that outlaw them). Note that I am not an attorney or legal scholar, and these legal determinations are based on a cursory examination of the jurisdiction’s criminal code.
The source of each determination is provided where it was easily possible. The determination of “LEGAL” indicates that the jurisdiction’s laws, ordinances, or regulations do not have verbiage that could be construed to prohibit the wearing of thong swimwear. If there’s some doubt, I generally point that out. Keep in mind that laws can and do change all the time, so it is always a good idea to check with a specific jurisdiction to verify the information contained herein (especially with respect to cities and counties). Determinations of it being legal to wear thongs in state parks derives from a review of park regulations found on state web sites. If there are no limitations included on the wearing of thong swimwear, then the law defaults to that of the state. Note that a prohibition against “nudity” does not mean thongs are prohibited unless the state’s law or park regulations specify that the term includes the simple exposure of the buttocks. Sources are not listed for cities and counties who have their ordinances online at municode.com. You can go to MuniCode, look up the jurisdiction, do a search for “buttocks,” and examine the results. If thongs are prohibited, the law will generally require the buttocks to be “opaquely” covered. For all other non-state jurisdictions, if the ordinance is in a linkable format, it is linked to as “source” for the respective jurisdictions.
Note that, just because thongs may be acceptable from a state or local legal perspective, this does not prevent private establishments (i.e., hotels, waterparks, etc.) prohibiting their wear. So, again, you’ll want to contact the hotel you’ll be staying at to verify that they allow thong swimwear at their pools if you’re interested in pursuing that.
Thongs are legal in almost all national parks, national recreational areas, etc. Toplessness and nudity are permitted in many if not specifically outlawed by the park’s local superintendent (many prohibit nudity in “areas easily accessible to the public” when it is banned to any degree, but there is no federal law that prohibits nudity in national parks, national forests, etc.). You should contact the park or recreation area for specific guidance.
If you find an outdated link, or question the validity of a jurisdiction’s legal status as listed herein, or if you have information about a local ordinance or law that should be added to this page, send me a quick note via email at arethongslegal(at)gmail.com.
NOTE: Another question that often pop up when the wearing of thongs is discussed is whether it is permissible for women to be topless. In some cases below I address that. You can find more specific information for each state HERE.
ALABAMA: LEGAL (Source)
– Alabama State Parks: LEGAL (ASP rules do not prohibit wearing of thong swimwear).
– City of Mobile: LEGAL, though the city’s ordinance refers to “private parts” being covered, and this can open up the law to interpretation more broadly than just the “genitals” referred to in the state criminal code. See Section 39-111 of the city’s code of ordinances.
ALASKA: LEGAL (Source)
– Alaska State Parks: LEGAL
AMERICAN SAMOA: UNKNOWN
ARIZONA: LEGAL (Source)
– Arizona State Parks: LEGAL (Including at Lake Havasu, where thongs are very common)
– Lake Mead National Rec Area: LEGAL (Nudity is not specifically prohibited by park regulations [PDF])
– Albuquerque: ILLEGAL
ARKANSAS: LEGAL (Source)
– Arkansas State Parks: LEGAL
– Hot Springs National Park: LEGAL
– City of Hot Springs – ILLEGAL (Source: See Section 4-8-2) [PDF]
CALIFORNIA: LEGAL (Source) California is a very thong-friendly state in 90% of the places. Note that research and determinations below are for coastal and beach communities only. No determinations have been made for inland cities/counties in California.
– California State Parks/Beaches: LEGAL. Some areas of a small number of state beaches have areas where nudity is tolerated. These include Torrey Pines State Beach and San Onofre State Beach (see below).
– Golden Gate National Rec Area: LEGAL
– Los Angeles County (unincorporated areas): LEGAL. Thongs are also legal in most, if not all municipalities within LA County, including LA, Hermosa, Malibu, Marina del Ray, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, and Venice. Thongs are technically ILLEGAL in Long Beach and Rancho Palos Verdes.
– Orange County (unincorporated areas): ILLEGAL. Also technically ILLEGAL in Laguna Beach (Source), though the law seems to be rarely enforced. Thongs are LEGAL in most, if not all the other municipalities within OC, however, including Huntingdon Beach (if you’re female, you may feel out of place if you’re not wearing a thong on some days) and Newport Beach. There is a section of San Onofore State Beach that is widely used as clothing optional (the very south end near Camp Pendleton Military Reservation. The status of nudity here is fluid, however. You won’t get a citation, but may be asked to leave or cover up by the MPs on some days.
– San Diego County (Unincorporated areas): ILLEGAL (Source). Also illegal in San Diego city (Source) [PDF], as is nudity. However, the city has a clothing optional beach (known as Black’s Beach, but official name is Torrey Pines State Beach [thongs are legal in state parks]) near La Jolla. Thongs are LEGAL in Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, Coronado, Encinitas, and Oceanside.
– Thousand Oaks: ILLEGAL
– There are several nude/clothing-optional beaches in California (official & unofficial)
COLORADO: LEGAL (Source1 – Source2) [PDF]
– Colorado State Parks: LEGAL
CONNECTICUT: LEGAL (Source)
– Connecticut State Parks: LEGAL
DELAWARE: ILLEGAL (Source)
– Delaware state law makes it a misdemeanor to expose ones buttocks, so the wearing of a thong swimsuit is illegal. Having said that, there have been sightings of thong wearers on several public beaches throughout the state with no police action. In all likelihood, law enforcement has more pressing problems to worry about unless someone complains. However, at least from a technical perspective, it does appear that they are illegal.
– Delaware State Parks/Beaches: ILLEGAL. Park regulations specifically prohibit he wearing of thongs in state parks.
WASHINGTON, DC: LEGAL (Source) Female toplessness is also legal wherever it is legal for males to be topless
– National Parks/Monuments: LEGAL (Local restrictions may be in effect, however)
FLORIDA: LEGAL (Source) Florida is generally a very thong-friendly state, though there are a handful of places that ban them.
– Florida State Parks: ILLEGAL. FSP rules prohibit the wearing of thongs in state parks. (Source) [DOC] Rule is usually only enforced if someone complains, however.
– Alachua County: LEGAL, including city of Gainesville
– Bay County: LEGAL, including in the cities of Panama City and Panama City Beach (though many people of both sexes complain about being harassed when wearing thongs here).
– Brevard County: ILLEGAL (County Ordinance 74-26 through 74-30). This ordinance also applies to municipalities within the county (including Melbourne), though some municipalities have opted out of the ordinance, however.
– Broward County: LEGAL, with exception of a couple of municipalities (See herein)
– Cocoa: LEGAL
– Cocoa Beach: LEGAL (Source is the city code of ordinances. The ordinance regulating nudity only applies to adult entertainment establishments.). Cocoa Beach opted out of the Brevard County ordinance in 2012.
– Collier County/Naples: LEGAL
– Columbia County: ILLEGAL
– Daytona Beach: Thongs are ILLEGAL inside the city limits of Daytona Beach (and the police absolutely LOVE enforcing this silly law). However, the beaches themselves are under the jurisdiction of Volusia County, not the city. Thongs are legal in Volusia County, so you may wear thong suits on the beaches in Daytona Beach. Thongs are also legal in Daytona Beach Shores, which is a separate municipality from Daytona Beach.
– Deerfield Beach (Broward County): ILLEGAL
– Destin: LEGAL
– DisneyWorld: Thongs are not permitted. (Source) Up until recently, it wasn’t uncommon to see thong suits at the WDW water parks, but it appears that, technically, at least, they are no longer permitted.
– Dixie County: ILLEGAL
– Duval County: LEGAL, including in the cities of Jacksonville & Neptune Beach
– Escambia County: LEGAL, except for the city of Pensacola where they are ILLEGAL (Beaches along Highway 98 are in the county and it is legal to wear a thong suit there)
– Everglades National Park: LEGAL
– Flagler County: LEGAL, except for Flagler Beach, where they are ILLEGAL
– Fort Lauderdale/Broward County: LEGAL. Toplessness is technically illegal in Fort Lauderdale, though it is not often enforced unless someone complains. Broward County has no ordinance against toplessness, but other municipalities might.
– Franklin County: LEGAL
– Gadsden County: ILLEGAL
– Gilchrist County: ILLEGAL
– Glades County: LEGAL
– Hallandale Beach (Broward County): ILLEGAL
– Hardee County: LEGAL
– Hendry County: LEGAL
– Hernando County: ILLEGAL
– Highlands County: LEGAL
– Hillsborough County: ILLEGAL, though they are legal in the city of Tampa.
– Indian River County: LEGAL, including in the city of Vero Beach
– Jackson County: LEGAL
– Jefferson County: LEGAL
– Keys: LEGAL, except for Key West, where it is ILLEGAL (I know, I WTF’ed at that one as well).
– Lake County: ILLEGAL
– Lee County: LEGAL Includes cities of Fort Myer, Fort Myers Beach, Pine Island, Sanibel Island.
– Leon County/Tallahassee: ILLEGAL
– Levy County: LEGAL
– Manatee County: ILLEGAL. Thongs are illegal on county beaches and in some of the municipalities. Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, and Anna Maria do allow thongs on the beach.
– Marion County: LEGAL, including the city of Ocala
– Martin County: LEGAL, including Jupiter Beach
– Miami/Dade County: LEGAL. In fact, in some places, you may feel overdressed if you’re not in a thong, especially along South Beach. Toplessness is legal on Miami/Dade County Beaches as well, though many of the municipalities that have jurisdiction on some of those beaches outlaw it. Haulover Beach, operated by Miami/Dade County, is a government-sanctioned clothing optional beach.
– Monroe County: LEGAL
– Nassau County: LEGAL countywide, except for the Town of Callahan, where they are ILLEGAL (Source) [PDF]
– Okaloosa County: LEGAL, including Fort Walton Beach
– Okeechobee County: LEGAL
– Orange County: LEGAL, including the city of Orlando
– Ormond Beach/Flagler County: LEGAL countywide
– Osceola County: LEGAL, except for the city of Kissimmee.
– Palm Beach County: LEGAL, except for roadside stand vendors
– Pasco County: LEGAL
– Pinellas County: LEGAL, including St. Petersburg. ILLEGAL in the city of Clearwater (Source: City Ordinance 21.13)
– Polk County: ILLEGAL
– Pompano Beach (Broward County): ILLEGAL
– Putnam County: LEGAL
– Santa Rosa County: LEGAL
– Sarasota/Sarasota County: LEGAL, except possibly in the city of Venice
– Seminole County: LEGAL, including in Altamonte Springs, Sanford, & Winter Springs
– St. Johns County: ILLEGAL (Source) [PDF], including the city of St. Augustine (Section 15-4). In St. Augustine Beach, however, thongs are LEGAL (Source) [PDF]
– St. Lucie County: LEGAL, including city of Fort Pierce
– Sumter County: ILLEGAL
– Suwannee County: ILLEGAL
– Volusia County: LEGAL, except for the city of Daytona Beach (see above) and Ormond Beach. The beach at Daytona Beach is under county jurisdiction, so thongs are legal on the beach there. They’re also legal in New Smyrna Beach and at Canaveral National Seashore.
GEORGIA: LEGAL (Source) [PDF]
– Georgia State Parks: LEGAL
GUAM: LEGAL (Source)
HAWAII: LEGAL (Source)
– Hawaii State Parks: LEGAL
IDAHO: LEGAL (Source)
– Idaho State Parks: LEGAL
– Boise: ILLEGAL (Source) [PDF]
ILLINOIS: LEGAL (Source)
– Illinois State Parks: LEGAL
– Chicago, incl City Parks: ILLEGAL (See Section 8-8-080 of the City Code)
INDIANA: ILLEGAL (Source) (There has been some disagreement over whether the wording in this law actually outlaws thongs)
– Indiana State Parks: ILLEGAL
– Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: LEGAL on federal property, technically illegal on the state portions
IOWA: LEGAL (Source)
– Iowa State Parks: LEGAL
KANSAS: LEGAL (Source)
– Kansas State Parks: LEGAL
KENTUCKY: LEGAL (Source) [PDF]
– Kentucky State Parks: LEGAL
– Land Between the Lakes National Rec Area (USFS): LEGAL
LOUISIANA: LEGAL (Source)
– Louisiana State Parks: LEGAL
– New Orleans/Jefferson Parish: LEGAL
MAINE: LEGAL (Source) Female toplessness is permitted anywhere males may be topless.
– Maine State Parks: LEGAL
– Holden: ILLEGAL
– Medway: ILLEGAL
MARIANAS ISLANDS: UNKNOWN
MARYLAND: LEGAL (Source: MD State Law provides for a punishment of “indecent exposure,” but has no law that specifically defines what constitutes indecent exposure; MD relies on a “common law” definition of indecent exposure, and includes female toplessness, generally. This occurred when a law was rewritten 2002. The punishment can be found at Section 11.107 of the Maryland Code, in the middle of a law concerning the sale and display of sex toys.)
– Maryland State Parks: LEGAL (Source) [PDF] (Note that this is an example FAQ for Sandy Point State Park. Parks operate under state law, which allows thongs)
– Assateague island National Seashore: LEGAL
– Ocean City: LEGAL
MASSACHUSETTS: LEGAL (Source) MA has no other laws that deal with public nudity/indecent exposure
– Massachusetts State Parks: LEGAL
– Boston: LEGAL
– Martha’s Vineyard: LEGAL
– Nantucket: LEGAL
MICHIGAN: LEGAL (Source) MI has no other law that addresses indecent exposure or defines it.
– Michigan State Parks: LEGAL
– Alamo Township: ILLEGAL
– Edmore: ILLEGAL
MINNESOTA: LEGAL (Source)
– Minnesota State Parks: LEGAL
– Minneapolis: LEGAL, EXCEPT FOR CITY PARKS (Regulation PB2-21 requires buttocks to be covered, though the regulation is haphazardly and unevenly enforced)
MISSISSIPPI: LEGAL (Source)
– Mississippi State Parks: PROBABLY LEGAL (Source; [PDF] See Page 17 – rule is not clearly defined, but if it matches the meaning used in the state law, thongs would be legal)
– Bay St. Louis/Hancock County: LEGAL
– Biloxi/Gulfport/Pass Christian/Harrison County: LEGAL
– Lafayette County: ILLEGAL (Source) [PDF] Ordinance does not apply to municipalities
MISSOURI: APPARENTLY LEGAL (No definitive source; the only reference to indecent exposure is in a definition found in the section of the state’s criminal code in regard to pornography Mo Rev. Stat. 573.528.16b)
– Missouri State Parks: LEGAL
– Branson/Taney County: LEGAL
MONTANA: LEGAL (Source)
– Montana State Parks: LEGAL
NEBRASKA: LEGAL (Source)
– Nebraska State Parks: LEGAL
– Sarpy County (Omaha): ILLEGAL (Source) [PDF] Excludes municipalities.
NEVADA: LEGAL (Source)
– Nevada State Parks: LEGAL
– Lake Mead National Rec Area: LEGAL
– Las Vegas/Clark County: LEGAL Many of the hotels/resorts in Las Vegas have pools that are for adults only and allow thongs and topless sunbathing. Contact the local hotels for specifics.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: LEGAL (Source)
– New Hampshire State Parks: LEGAL
NEW JERSEY: LEGAL
– New Jersey State Parks: ILLEGAL (Source – See Section 7:2.2.19) [PDF]
– Gateway National Recreation Area: LEGAL. GNRA also has a clothing optional beach, Gunnison Beach.
– Author is not aware of any towns along the coastal shore that ban thong swimwear.
NEW MEXICO: LEGAL (Source)
– New Mexico State Parks: LEGAL
NEW YORK: LEGAL (Source) Female toplessness is also legal in New York
– New York State Parks: PROBABLY LEGAL. NYSP regulations allow individual parks & park personnel to regulate the attire of persons in the parks. However, author is not aware of any parks that prohibit the wearing of thong swimwear.
NORTH CAROLINA: LEGAL (Source) Female toplessness is, at least theoretically, legal in NC as well.
– North Carolina State Parks: LEGAL
– Cape Hatteras National Seashore: LEGAL
– Holden Beach: ILLEGAL (Source) [PDF]
– Kure Beach: ILLEGAL
– Outer Banks: LEGAL
NORTH DAKOTA: LEGAL (Source) [PDF]
– North Dakota State Parks: LEGAL
OHIO: LEGAL (Source) Female toplessness is legal in Ohio anywhere it is legal for males to be topless
– Ohio State Parks: LEGAL
– Greene County: ILLEGAL
OKLAHOMA: LEGAL (Source)
– Oklahoma State Parks: LEGAL
OREGON: LEGAL (Source) Female toplessness is legal in Oregon as well (a couple of small cities have outlawed it, however)
– Oregon State Park: LEGAL
PENNSYLVANIA: LEGAL (Source)
– Pennsylvania State Parks: ILLEGAL (Source) [PDF]
– Mill Creek Township: ILLEGAL (Source) [PDF]
PUERTO RICO: LEGAL (Source)
RHODE ISLAND: LEGAL (Source)
– Rhode Island State Parks: LEGAL
SOUTH CAROLINA: LEGAL (Source)
– South Carolina State Parks: LEGAL
– Charleston/Charleston County: LEGAL
– Hilton Head/Beaufort County: LEGAL
– Myrtle Beach/Horry County: ILLEGAL – The police in Myrtle Beach are known perverts, and get a raging hard on enforcing this law and the law against public nudity with people skinny dipping, especially if it involves teenage girls or young women. Be forewarned.
SOUTH DAKOTA: LEGAL (Source)
– South Dakota State Parks: LEGAL
TENNESSEE: ILLEGAL (Source – See Section (b)) [PDF]
– Tennessee State Parks: ILLEGAL
– Land Between the Lakes (USFS): LEGAL
– TVA Recreation Areas: LEGAL
– Big South Fork National Recreation Area (NPS): LEGAL
TEXAS: LEGAL (Source) Texas coastal areas are very thong-friendly. Texas also has a clothing-optional beach (Hippie Hollow). Female toplessness is legal in Texas as well (except for state parks; some locals may also prohibit it)
– Texas State Parks: LEGAL (Female toplessness is not permitted in state parks)
– San Antonio: ILLEGAL
UTAH: ILLEGAL (Source)
– Utah State Parks: ILLEGAL
– Glen Canyon/Flaming Gorge National Recreation Areas (NPS): LEGAL
– National Parks in Utah: LEGAL
VERMONT: LEGAL (Source) Nudity is tolerated in you’re in an area away from public view & no one complains.
– Vermont State Parks: LEGAL
– Richmond: ILLEGAL
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS: LEGAL (Source)
VIRGINIA: LEGAL (Source)
– Virginia State Parks: LEGAL
– Alexandria: ILLEGAL
– Virginia Beach: ILLEGAL (City only – legal in the unincorporated areas of VB County)
WASHINGTON: LEGAL (Source)
– Washington State Parks: LEGAL
– Oak Harbor: ILLEGAL (Source) [PDF]
– Yakima: ILLEGAL
WEST VIRGINIA: LEGAL (Source)
– West Virginia State Parks: LEGAL
WISCONSIN: LEGAL (Source) Female toplessness appears to be legal in Wisconsin as well. Wisconsin also has a clothing optional beach, Mazomanie Beach (aka Mazo Beach), near Sauk City.
– Wisconsin State Parks: LEGAL
WYOMING: LEGAL (Source)
– Wyoming State Parks: LEGAL
– Yellowstone/Grand Teton National Parks: LEGAL
No Fashion Police 