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 lets residents keep chickens, rabbits or other fowl only if the pen sits at least 300 feet from any church, school, park, public building or another person's residence, a buffer that rules out lawful keeping on most in-town lots. Swine of any kind are banned outright, and a loose animal is treated as proof the enclosure itself is illegal.
Tuscaloosa Backyard Chickens and Livestock Rules
Significant RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 4-22 (Ord. No. 3588, 3-25-93)
It shall be unlawful and shall constitute a public nuisance for any person to keep within the city any livestock, rabbit or fowl unless such animal is kept at all times at a distance of not less than three hundred (300) feet from any church or other house of worship, school, public building, park, public playground or the residence of another; provided, that any rabbit or fowl which is kept ins...
Dog Leash Laws
Tuscaloosa requires every dog off its owner's property to be restrained on a leash, rope or chain no longer than 10 feet, and it is no defense that the dog got loose without your knowledge. A dog running at large can be killed by animal control if it poses a menace and can't reasonably be captured.
Tuscaloosa Dog Leash and Restraint Law
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 4-40(a) (Ord. No. 3588, 3-25-93)
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to allow or permit such dog to be at large, unconfined or able to travel on public property or the property of another in the city unless such dog is restrained by a leash, rope or chain of not more than ten (10) feet in length and of sufficient strength to control the actions of such dog.
Breed Restrictions
Tuscaloosa classifies a dog as vicious or dangerous by its behavior, not its breed: habitual aggression, an unprovoked attack, or being kept for fighting. Once classified, the dog can't leave the property unmuzzled and unleashed, must be signed for, can't live in a multi-dwelling, and a court can order it destroyed.
Tuscaloosa Vicious and Dangerous Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 4-43(a),(c) (Ord. No. 3588, 3-25-93)
As used in this section, the phrase "vicious or dangerous dog" shall mean and include:(1)Any dog with a propensity, tendency or disposition to attack, cause injury or otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or other domestic animals as evidenced by its habitual or repeated chasing, snapping or barking;(2)Any dog which attacks a human being or another domestic animal without provocation; o...
Beekeeping
Keeping honey bees in Tuscaloosa is unlawful unless the hive meets four conditions in City Code Sec. 4-11: it must sit at least 150 feet from any school, public park or playground, no closer than 10 feet to the rear property line, no more than one hive per half-acre, and positioned to send bees flying up and away from neighbors.
Tuscaloosa Beekeeping Hive Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 4-11 (Ord. No. 3588, 3-25-93; Ord. No. 7874, 10-9-12)
Maintaining or keeping honey bees or honey bee hives in the City is unlawful unless the following conditions are met:(1)Honey bees or honey bee hives shall not be kept within one hundred fifty (150) feet of the boundary line of any property upon which is any school ground, public park or public playground in the city.(2)Honey bee hives shall be kept within ten (10) feet of the rear yard propert...
Pet Limits
Tuscaloosa caps the number of cats any household can keep at three under City Code Sec. 4-13, though kittens under three months old don't count toward the limit. Households that already had more than three cats when the ordinance took effect could keep them, but adding replacement cats is not allowed once the household is at the cap.
Tuscaloosa Limit of Three Cats Allowed
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 4-13 (Ord. No. 5405, Sec. 4, 9-10-96)
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or board on such person's premises within the corporate limits of the city more than three (3) cats. Provided, however, this section shall not apply to kittens under the age of three (3) months.(b)A violation of this section existing at the adoption of this section may continue; however, additional cats shall be prohibited.
Cat Rules
Tuscaloosa authorizes a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program for feral cat colonies under City Code Sec. 4-14: caretakers can legally maintain a colony once it is registered with a city-approved sponsor and the cats are trapped, sterilized, vaccinated against rabies and eartipped. Separately, Sec. 4-12 makes every cat or dog owner responsible for preventing their animal from becoming a public nuisance.
Tuscaloosa Feral Cat TNR Program Rules
Significant RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 4-14 (Ord. No. 8017, Sec. 2, 10-1-13)
(a)Purpose. To permit implementation of a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program in the corporate limits of the city for the purpose of reducing the population of feral cats, benefiting public health and welfare and ensuring the humane treatment of feral cats.(b)Management of feral cat colonies.(1)A TNR program shall be permitted and caretakers shall be entitled to maintain feral cat colonies in acco...
Pet Store Rules
Tuscaloosa pet shops can't sell or display a dog, cat, puppy or kitten unless it came from the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter or a rescue organization, effectively banning commercial breeder and puppy-mill sourcing. Each cage must be labeled with the supplying organization, and no puppy or kitten under eight weeks old may be sold.
Tuscaloosa Pet Store Dog and Cat Sales
Significant RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 4-64 (Ord. No. 8850, § 2, 9-3-19)
(a)It shall be unlawful for a pet shop or pet supply store to offer for sale or to display any dog, cat, puppy or kitten unless obtained from and in cooperation with the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter, or an animal rescue organization or agency.(b)Every pet shop or pet supply store offering for sale or displaying any dog, cat, puppy or kitten shall display a label stating the name and address ...
Pet Groomer Rules
Pet grooming shops in Tuscaloosa are a permitted-by-right use in the GC, NC, HC, IL, and IG zoning districts under the animal care category of the commercial use table, but need a special exception use permit in the DP, LC, and UC districts. The zoning ordinance defines grooming narrowly: bathing, clipping, or combing pets for a fee, and specifically excludes overnight boarding.
Tuscaloosa Pet Grooming Zoning Permissions
Some RestrictionsCity of Tuscaloosa Zoning Ordinance, §§ 25-31 (Definitions: 'Pet grooming') and 25-101(b)(1) (Commercial Principal Use Table, Description of Commercial Use Categories)
[Sec. 25-31] Pet grooming means a facility where animals are bathed, clipped, or combed for the purpose of enhancing their aesthetic value or health and for which a fee is charged. This use does not include the overnight boarding of animals. ... [Sec. 25-101(b)(1)] The animal care category includes use types related to the provision of veterinary services, and general care and boarding services...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Tuscaloosa's zoning ordinance requires veterinary clinics to manage medical and biohazardous waste under federal, state and city rules, keep any new outdoor animal pen at least 150 feet from properties protected by neighborhood compatibility standards, and fully enclose and soundproof animal pens in the UC and DP downtown districts.
Tuscaloosa Veterinary Clinic Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsCity of Tuscaloosa Zoning Ordinance, Sec. 25-101(c)(1)(ii) (Veterinary Clinic), Article V, Division 2
ii.Veterinary clinic.(a)The facility shall include means to dispose of medical waste, including biohazardous waste, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and city requirements.(b)Outdoor animal pens established on or after January 1, 2025 on property subject to the standards in article VI, division 7, neighborhood compatibility standards, shall be set back at least one hundred fifty (15...
Bird Protection
Tuscaloosa makes it unlawful under City Code Sec. 4-6 to catch, kill or possess any wild bird or animal, or to let your own dog or cat catch, kill or injure one, except on your own property or as state law otherwise permits. The ban also covers destroying a wild animal's nest or den or possessing its nest or egg.
Tuscaloosa Wild Bird and Animal Protection
Heavy RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 4-6 (Ord. No. 5405, Sec. 5, 9-10-96)
Except upon property of the owner and as otherwise may be permitted by state law, it shall be unlawful for any person to catch, kill or possess any wild bird or animal or intentionally allow or knowingly permit any domesticated dog or cat said person owns, controls or maintains to catch, kill or injure any wild bird or animal, whether such animal or bird is alive or dead or to take or willfully...