Tuscaloosa's short-term rental operating procedures require compliance with all applicable City noise regulations. In residential districts, the City sound limit is 75 decibels between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. and 65 decibels between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. STR operators must designate a 24/7 local contact to respond to noise complaints.
Every Tuscaloosa short-term rental 'shall adhere to all applicable City noise regulations.' The City's residential-district noise standard sets a maximum sound level of 75 decibels during daytime hours (6 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and 65 decibels during nighttime hours (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.). These limits apply across the City's residential zoning districts, including single-family (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4), multi-family (RMF) and mobile-home (RMH) districts, and certain events such as permitted parades, cultural events, athletic games, and airport operations are excepted. Because short-term rental operating procedures also require that a local responsible party answer calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to problems or complaints, noise issues at a rental are expected to be handled promptly by that contact. The combination of the residential decibel limits and the mandatory 24/7 contact is central to the City's effort to manage game-day party noise near the University of Alabama. Noise complaints can be reported to the Tuscaloosa Police Department's non-emergency line or through Tuscaloosa 311.
Exceeding the 75 dB daytime or 65 dB nighttime residential sound limit can result in City noise citations and fines, separate from any action against the short-term rental license. Failure to maintain a reachable 24/7 responsible party who responds to noise complaints breaches the STR operating procedures. Repeated noise problems can jeopardize a special-exception approval and the license itself.
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