Landscaping Rules in Tuscaloosa, AL (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Tuscaloosa, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Weed Ordinances
Tuscaloosa caps weeds, grass and kudzu at 12 inches on any premises or vacant lot under Sec. 13-67, bans planting bamboo within 50 feet of a residential line, and requires no advance notice before a violation exists; the city can then order a 48-hour cleanup or do the work itself.
Tuscaloosa Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 13-67 (Code 1962, § 16-2; Ord. No. 8250, § 2, 8-11-15)
In order to keep premises and vacant lots within the city free of any growth of weeds or grass or downed trees and/or limbs favorable to the harboring of mosquitoes or other insects of like kind and/or rodents or reptiles, it shall be unlawful for any person owning, residing or having charge or control of any premises or vacant lot within the city to allow weeds, grass or kudzu to grow to a hei...
Water Restrictions
Once Tuscaloosa declares a Stage 2 water shortage, City Code Sec. 16-36 limits landscape irrigation to two fixed days a week by address: Sundays and Thursdays for even-numbered addresses, and Saturdays and Wednesdays for odd-numbered addresses. Hand-held hoses, buckets under 5 gallons, and drip irrigation stay exempt at any time.
Tuscaloosa Odd-Even Lawn Watering Restrictions
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 16-36(2)-(3) (Water conservation stages)
Stage 2 — Moderate Water Shortage Conditions...Lake Tuscaloosa Level: 207 feet Water Demand: 80 per cent of water supply capacity...Mandatory Water Use Restrictions: Under threat of penalty for violation, the following water use restrictions shall apply to all retail customers:(1)Irrigation of landscaped areas shall be limited to Sundays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending ...
Rainwater Harvesting
Tuscaloosa's zoning ordinance encourages, but never requires, cutting irrigation demand for required landscaping through rain sensors and rainwater reuse. The code separately defines a 'rainwater cistern or barrel' as any above- or below-ground catchment device that intercepts roof or surface runoff before it hits the ground.
Tuscaloosa Rainwater Reuse for Landscaping
Few RestrictionsCity of Tuscaloosa Zoning Ordinance, Sec. 25-131(f), Division 3 (Landscape and Buffer Standards), Art. VI
Irrigation. The installation and use of irrigation systems to irrigate required landscaping is encouraged. The use of methods to reduce irrigation needs, such as use of existing vegetation, native plants, drought-tolerant plants, and water-conserving irrigation techniques, such as the use of a rain sensor and re-use of rainwater, also is strongly encouraged.
Native Plants
Tuscaloosa's zoning ordinance blocks the director of planning from approving trees for a required landscape plan if they are diseased, not native to the city's climate range, or classified as invasive. Single-family and duplex lots are exempt from this species test, but every other covered development must pass it before occupancy.
Tuscaloosa Native Plant Landscaping Rule
Some RestrictionsCity of Tuscaloosa Zoning Ordinance, Sec. 25-131(d)(4)(i)-(ii), Division 3 (Landscape and Buffer Standards), Art. VI
Trees that exhibit poor health characteristics, are not native to the climate range in Tuscaloosa, or that are considered invasive species shall not be approved for installation. [...] Vegetative material shall be adapted to the site conditions where it will be planted. The use of native, drought-tolerant vegetation is encouraged to reduce dependency upon irrigation.
Composting
Tuscaloosa allows small-scale composting as an accessory use by right in every zoning district in the city. Sec. 25-107(f) requires the compost area to sit behind the principal structure and caps it at 15 percent of the rear yard.
Tuscaloosa Backyard Composting Location Rules
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa Zoning Ordinance Sec. 25-107(f) (Composting, Small-Scale), Table V-5, Div. 3, Art. V (Ord. No. 9572, § 2, 12-17-24)
f.Composting, small-scale. All composting areas shall be located behind the principal structure on the lot and shall occupy no more than fifteen (15) per cent of the rear yard.