Noise Ordinances in Tuscaloosa, AL (2026)
8 verified noise ordinances for Tuscaloosa, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Tuscaloosa's noise code (City Code Ch. 10.8, Art. II, Sec. 10.8-13) sets a lower nighttime decibel ceiling in residential districts from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. In 2018 the City Council lowered the limits, so the nighttime cap is 65 dB(A) and the daytime cap is 75 dB(A), measured at the property line.
Tuscaloosa Residential Quiet Hours (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.)
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 10.8-13(a) (Ord. No. 3297, Sec. 3, 9-10-91; Ord. No. 3432, 6-25-92; amended 2018). Decibel figures shown as bracketed because the 2018 amendment lowered the originally codified 80/75 dB(A) values to 75/65 dB(A).
It shall be unlawful for any person to use, operate or permit to be used or operated any device, radio, musical instrument, television, phonograph, drum, sound-amplifying equipment or device which produces or reproduces sound either stationary or mobile, in such a manner so as to create any sounds or noise which exceeds [the daytime limit] during the hours of 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. or which ...
Construction Hours
Tuscaloosa exempts construction activity and equipment from its noise limits when operated between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. (City Code Sec. 10.8-14(f)). Outside that window, construction noise must comply with the residential decibel limits in Section 10.8-13.
Tuscaloosa Construction Hours (6 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
Few RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 10.8-14(f) (Ord. No. 3297, Sec. 4, 9-10-91; Ord. No. 5451, 11-21-96)
Construction activity or equipment. The provisions of this article shall not apply to any construction activity or equipment operated between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Barking Dogs
Tuscaloosa sets a precise threshold for illegal barking: if a dog barks, yelps, howls or growls for the majority of any ten-minute period, whoever controls the premises is violating the ordinance. The rule reaches landlords and tenants alike, not just the dog's legal owner.
Tuscaloosa Continuous Dog Barking Ban
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 4-47 (Ord. No. 3588, 3-25-93)
(a)Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to this section.(1)"Bark," "barks" or "barking" shall mean barking, yelping, howling, growling or otherwise making noise.(2)"Continuously," in regard to barking, shall mean barking which occurs during the majority of any ten-minute period.(b)Prohibition. It shall be unlawful for any person in charge or control of any premises within the city...
Leaf Blower Rules
Tuscaloosa has no leaf-blower-specific ban. Its noise code instead exempts 'domestic power equipment' from the noise limits when operated between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. (City Code Sec. 10.8-14(g)). Outside those hours, such equipment must meet the residential decibel limits.
Tuscaloosa Leaf Blowers and Lawn Equipment
Few RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 10.8-14(g) (Ord. No. 3297, Sec. 4, 9-10-91; Ord. No. 5451, 11-21-96)
Domestic power equipment. The provisions of this article shall not apply to any domestic power equipment operated between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Outdoor music in Tuscaloosa is limited by the same residential decibel caps (75 dB(A) day / 65 dB(A) night near homes), but parades, cultural events, athletic games, fairs and other functions held under a City Council permit are exempt under City Code Sec. 10.8-14(b).
Tuscaloosa Outdoor Music and Events
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 10.8-14(b) (Ord. No. 3297, Sec. 4, 9-10-91; Ord. No. 5451, 11-21-96)
Noises from authorized activities. The prohibitions of this article shall not apply to air traffic at the Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport, parades, cultural event, athletic games, state or county fairs, or functions conducted pursuant to a permit specifically approved by the Tuscaloosa City Council or other appropriate governmental agency. Issuance of a business license shall not constitute approv...
Aircraft Noise
Tuscaloosa's noise ordinance expressly exempts air traffic at the Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport (City Code Sec. 10.8-14(b)). Aircraft operational noise is controlled by federal law, which gives the United States exclusive sovereignty over the navigable airspace (49 U.S.C. 40103).
Tuscaloosa Aircraft Noise (Federally Preempted)
Few RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 10.8-14(b) (Ord. No. 3297, Sec. 4, 9-10-91; Ord. No. 5451, 11-21-96)
The prohibitions of this article shall not apply to air traffic at the Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport, parades, cultural event, athletic games, state or county fairs, or functions conducted pursuant to a permit specifically approved by the Tuscaloosa City Council or other appropriate governmental agency.
Decibel Limits
Tuscaloosa uses measurable dB(A) limits, not a subjective standard. In residential districts the cap is 75 dB(A) by day and 65 dB(A) at night (lowered from 80/75 in 2018), measured on the A-weighted scale at the property line. A separate 75 dB(A) cap applies to car stereos on public streets.
Tuscaloosa Decibel Limits (dB(A) Standards)
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 10.8-12 (definitions) (Ord. No. 3297, Sec. 2, 9-10-91)
db(A) shall mean a measure of sound pressure level in decibels on the A-weighted scale. Decibel meter shall mean an instrument to measure decibels which meets or exceeds American National Standards Institute (ANSI) section 1.4, 1971(r. 1976) standards for type 2 special purpose meters.
Vehicle Noise
Tuscaloosa City Code Sec. 10.8-15 makes it unlawful to operate sound-amplifying equipment in a motor vehicle that exceeds 75 dB(A) on any public street or right-of-way in the city or its police jurisdiction. Loud exhaust is governed by Alabama's statewide muffler law.
Tuscaloosa Vehicle Noise and Car Stereos
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 10.8-15 (Ord. No. 4066, 1-19-95)
It shall be unlawful for any person to use, operate, or permit to be used or operated in a motor vehicle any sound-amplifying equipment, including, but not limited to, radios, compact disc players and cassette tape players which produces or reproduces sound in such a manner as to create any sounds or noise which exceeds 75 db(A) on any public street or right-of-way in the corporate limits of th...