Frying fish is classified as an “offensive trade” in Gloucester Plans to make it easier for English local authorities to abolish outdated by-laws, and create new ones, will be outlined later by the government.
It will mean councils being able to sweep away bizarre regulations, such as rules on carpet-beating in Blackpool, or frying fish in Gloucester, without first needing Whitehall approval.
Instead, town halls will simply have to consult with local residents.
Local government minister Grant Shapps said it was all about devolving powers.
Gloucester City Council has unearthed 60 old by-laws that it wants to revoke and not replace.
In addition to 1968 regulations on frying fish and “other offensive trades”, it wants to call time on a 1947 by-law regarding the cleaning of ash pits and cesspools.
It also wants to get rid of a 1911 ruling requiring domestic servants to register with the council.
“It should not take a rubber stamp from central government to scrap outdated local laws,” said Mr Shapps.
“That’s why I want councils to use this new power I am offering them, and keep a watchful eye out for outdated rules that will soon be so much easier to scrap.”
Mr Shapps added that he wanted members of the public to be able to contact their local council with any concerns, so the local authority could consider new by-laws, again with no ministerial involvement.
Other local by-laws that could be revoked include a 1905 ruling relating to the transport of dead horse carcasses in what is today the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, and a 1956 rule that prohibits the drying of clothes in various parks in Whitstable.
By-laws relating to the use of dicky straps – the leather straps which hold the driving box of horse drawn carriages in place – also look set to be scrapped in Hammersmith and Fulham.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister David Cameron backed plans by councils in Greater Manchester to use by-laws to ban cheap alcohol.
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