Animal Ordinances in Tuscaloosa, AL (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Tuscaloosa, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Tuscaloosa allows keeping hens but not roosters. Fowl and livestock are a public nuisance unless kept at least 300 feet from any residence of another, church, school, public building, park, or playground, with an exception for fowl kept inside a residence as a pet.
Tuscaloosa Backyard Chickens and Fowl Rules
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Tuscaloosa prohibits dogs from being at large. Off the owner's premises or another's property, a dog must be restrained by a leash, rope, or chain no more than ten feet long and strong enough to control the dog. Lack of the owner's knowledge or consent is no defense.
Tuscaloosa Dog Leash and Running-at-Large Law
Heavy RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Tuscaloosa regulates dangerous dogs by behavior, not breed. A dog declared dangerous must be muzzled and restrained on a leash no longer than five feet when off the premises. Alabama's statewide dangerous-dog law also applies. No breed-specific ban was found in the city code reviewed.
Tuscaloosa Dangerous Dogs (No Breed Ban)
Some RestrictionsBeekeeping
No beekeeping-specific ordinance was found in Tuscaloosa's city code. Beekeeping is governed primarily by Alabama's state apiary law, Title 2, Chapter 14, administered by the Department of Agriculture and Industries, which provides for registration and inspection of bees and apiaries.
Tuscaloosa Beekeeping (State Apiary Law Controls)
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
Alabama state law, not a specific Tuscaloosa ordinance, is the primary control on exotic and wild animals. Administrative Rule 220-2-.26 bans possession or importation of numerous species, including certain venomous reptiles, tegus, mongooses, piranha, snakeheads, and several non-native mammals.
Tuscaloosa Exotic and Wild Pets (State Law Controls)
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
No Tuscaloosa ordinance specifically prohibiting the feeding of wildlife was found in the Animals and Fowl code. Conduct that attracts nuisance wildlife can still be reached through the city's general nuisance provisions, and Alabama wildlife rules govern protected and prohibited species.
Tuscaloosa Wildlife Feeding (No Specific City Ban)
Few RestrictionsLivestock
Tuscaloosa bans hogs and other swine within the city entirely. Other livestock is a public nuisance unless kept at least 300 feet from any residence of another, church, school, park, or public building. Alabama's statewide stock law (Sec. 3-5-2) separately bars livestock from running at large.
Tuscaloosa Livestock and Swine Rules
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Tuscaloosa has no standalone hoarding ordinance, but its three-dog and three-cat household limits curb accumulation. Severe over-accumulation and neglect are prosecuted under Alabama's cruelty law, Ala. Code 13A-11-14, with aggravated cruelty a felony under 13A-11-14.1.
Tuscaloosa Animal Hoarding (Limits Plus State Cruelty Law)
Some RestrictionsPet Limits
Tuscaloosa limits households to a maximum of three dogs and three cats. The dog limit applies where any point of the enclosure is less than 300 feet from another residence, unless the owner operates a licensed kennel. Kittens under three months are excepted from the cat count.
Tuscaloosa Pet Limits (Dogs and Cats)
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Tuscaloosa limits households to three cats, excepting kittens under three months. Alabama law requires every cat (and dog and ferret) to be rabies-vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian starting at three months of age, with boosters as licensed.