Fire Regulations in Tuscaloosa, AL (2026)
5 verified fire regulations for Tuscaloosa, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Tuscaloosa requires a city permit for open burning citywide, but Sec. 11-28(b)(1)c carves out fires for recreational or ceremonial purposes, so a backyard fire pit or bonfire does not need a burning permit the way a construction or land-clearing burn does.
Tuscaloosa Recreational Fire Pit Permit Exemption
Few RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 11-28(b)(1)c (Ord. No. 5810, 9-1-98; Ord. No. 6534, 10-9-03; Ord. No. 6541, §§ 1, 2, 11-4-03; Ord. No. 7675, § I, 5-17-11; Ord. No. 8641, § 7, 1-9-18)
(b)Open burning standards.(1)No person shall kindle or maintain any open fire at any location or time within the city and its police jurisdiction without a permit from the city, except for the following purposes:a.Open fires for the cooking of food for human consumption.b.Fires set in salamanders or other devices used by construction or other workers for heating purposes.c.Fires for recreationa...
Fireworks
Tuscaloosa bans the possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks anywhere in the city under City Code Sec. 11-50. Tuscaloosa Police Department enforces the prohibition. The only carve-outs are code-compliant storage, manufacture/testing and public displays licensed under the city fire code, plus retail of Division 1.4G consumer fireworks meeting federal and NFPA standards.
Tuscaloosa Fireworks Possession and Sale Ban
Heavy RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 11-50 (Ord. No. 9167, 1-11-22)
(a)Prohibition. The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks is prohibited.(b)Exceptions.(1)Storage and handling of fireworks as allowed in section 5604 of the city fire code.(2)Manufacture, assembly and testing of fireworks as allowed in section 5605 of the city fire code.(3)The use of fireworks for fireworks displays as allowed in section 5608 of the city fire cod...
Outdoor Burning
Tuscaloosa bans open burning citywide unless the fire is covered by a permit or falls under one of three listed exceptions: Sec. 11-28(b)(1) makes it unlawful to kindle or maintain any open fire, anywhere in the city or its police jurisdiction, without a city permit.
Tuscaloosa Open Burning Permit Requirement
Significant RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 11-28(b)(1) (Ord. No. 5810, 9-1-98; Ord. No. 6534, 10-9-03; Ord. No. 6541, §§ 1, 2, 11-4-03; Ord. No. 7675, § I, 5-17-11; Ord. No. 8641, § 7, 1-9-18)
(a)Purpose. This section is enacted to protect, preserve, and promote the health, safety, welfare, and peace for the citizens of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, through the control of open burning. ... (b)Open burning standards.(1)No person shall kindle or maintain any open fire at any location or time within the city and its police jurisdiction without a permit from the city, except for the following pur...
Smoke Detectors
Tuscaloosa's Property Maintenance Code requires smoke alarms in rental buildings to be AC-powered with battery backup and interconnected with other smoke alarms whenever it is technically feasible, going beyond the base International Property Maintenance Code standard.
Tuscaloosa Smoke Alarm Rules for Rental Property
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 6-51(h) (Ord. No. 9157, 1-11-22)
(h)Section 704.6.2 Interconnection is amended to add the subsection 704.6.2.1 as follows: "Section 704.6.2.1 Power Source. In buildings and structures used as rental property, smoke alarms or detectors shall be AC powered with battery backup and shall be interconnected with other smoke alarms where it is technically feasible. The code official will have the authority to rule in the case of a bu...
Propane Storage
Mobile home parks in Tuscaloosa must keep LP-gas containers between 25 and 100 pounds capacity, securely fastened against overturning, and out of storage cabinets, carports, or beneath any structure without building-official approval, under City Code Sec. 15-57. Fuel oil tanks must sit at least 5 feet from any mobile home exit.
Tuscaloosa Mobile Home Park LP-Gas Storage
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 15-57 (Fuel storage) (Code 1962, § 21A-58)
(a)Liquefied petroleum gas containers installed on a mobile home lot shall be securely, but not permanently, fastened to prevent accidental overturning. Such containers shall not be less than twenty-five (25) or more than one hundred (100) pounds LP gas capacity.(b)No liquefied petroleum gas vessel shall be stored or located inside or beneath any storage cabinet, carport, mobile home, or any ot...