Tuscaloosa, AL Short-Term Rentals: Parking Rules (2026)

Rather than setting a unique parking ratio for short-term rentals, the City of Tuscaloosa's short-term rental operating procedures direct that each rental 'shall adhere to all parking regulations of the Zoning Ordinance.' In practice this means an STR must meet the off-street parking standards that apply to its zoning district and dwelling type under the Tuscaloosa Zoning Ordinance, the same parking rules that apply to the underlying residential use. The operating procedures also require compliance with all applicable City sign regulations and all City regulations regarding garbage and trash, reflecting the City's intent to keep rentals from creating neighborhood nuisances. Because guests at game-day rentals near the University of Alabama frequently arrive in multiple vehicles, neighborhood parking is a recurring enforcement concern, but the controlling rule is deference to the Zoning Ordinance's parking provisions rather than a fixed per-bedroom STR formula. Where a property is approved by special exception through the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the ZBA may attach additional parking-related conditions. Operators should verify the exact off-street parking requirement for their zoning district with the Planning Division at (205) 248-5100.