Barking dog rules in Tuscaloosa, AL — also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances — define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Tuscaloosa's noise article cross-references the city's animal code, which prohibits continuous barking (City Code Sec. 4-47). Loud or raucous animal noise that exceeds the residential decibel limits can also be addressed under the general noise rule in Section 10.8-13.
Animal noise in Tuscaloosa is handled primarily through the city's animal-control provisions rather than the decibel-based noise article. The noise chapter (Chapter 10.8, Article II) carries an editor's cross-reference noting 'Continuous barking prohibited, Sec. 4-47,' pointing to the animal chapter of the City Code, which makes it unlawful to keep a dog or other animal that barks, howls or makes noise continuously so as to disturb the peace of nearby residents. Separately, the general noise rule in Section 10.8-13 makes it unlawful to willfully make, cause or continue any loud or raucous noise that disturbs the peace or quiet of a residential district and exceeds the applicable decibel ceiling (75 dB(A) day / 65 dB(A) night after the 2018 amendment) at a property line. Because animal noise from a residence can be measured at the property line, persistent loud barking may be cited under either the animal code or the noise code. Residents are directed to call the Tuscaloosa Police Department non-emergency line to report disturbances.
Barking and animal-noise complaints are enforced by Tuscaloosa Animal Control and the Police Department and prosecuted in Municipal Court. Under Alabama Code Section 11-45-9, an ordinance violation is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or up to six months.
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