City Ordinances

Crimson Choice:	348-9400
Emergencies:	911
HRC Off-Campus Hotline:	348-7107
HRC Off-Campus Resources:	348-6676
Non-Emergencies:	311
SGA:	348-2742
Tuscaloosa Police Department:	349-2121
University Police Department:	348-5454

                                            

We are excited that you have chosen to live in off-campus housing in the Tuscaloosa area.  Following are some tips provided by the City of Tuscaloosa and Housing and Residential Communities at The University of Alabama to help make your off-campus experience an enjoyable time for you and your neighbors.   We encourage you to become familiar with The Alabama Tenants’ Handbook which lists tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities and can be found at www.arisecitizens.org, and the UAPD Safer Living Guide. These publications will assist you in making informed choices about off-campus living.  Both can be found at http://housing.ua.edu.

• Get to know your neighbors.  It is always helpful to know who is living next door!  Once you know each other, you could ask them to watch your house or get your mail if you go out of town, then you can return the favor.

• Be safe!  Remember to always lock your doors and windows and be conscious of your surroundings.  

• It is important that you obey traffic laws for your neighborhood.  There may be small children or pets in the area. 

• You shouldn’t park on your lawn or your neighbors’ and don’t block anyone’s driveway or mailbox.

• Maintain your yard by keeping it picked up and free of trash. Keep your yard mowed, especially if required by your lease.

• Your Landlord is expected to provide working locks on all doors and windows, and adequate outdoor lighting.  

• There is a “Noise” Ordinance in Tuscaloosa.  If your neighbor can hear your music, TV or voice, you need to lower the volume.   Remember that your neighbors might keep different hours than you do.

• Let your neighbors know when you are planning to have a party and give them a phone number to call if they feel like things are getting too loud.

• It is illegal to possess an open alcoholic beverage in public or to drive a car in which there is an open alcoholic beverage container.  This includes cups, bottles and cans.

• If you have pets, know that Tuscaloosa has a lease law.  Be courteous to your neighbors and quiet a barking dog, especially at night.

• You may be a student, but you will be treated just like anyone else if caught with drugs.  Drug laws are actively enforced.

• Except in specified (U) overlay zoned structures, the law allows only 3 unrelated people to live in a dwelling.  Only 2 unrelated may live in a dwelling in a Historic District.  Check with your landlord if you have questions.

• Consider purchasing renter’s insurance that includes theft.  You can purchase a policy for around $100-$200 (annually) from an agency of your choice.

• Household garbage should be put in your GREEN GARBAGE CART ONLY which should be provided by your landlord, unless otherwise stated in your lease. Garbage cart storage is prohibited in front yards of homes or businesses located in a Tuscaloosa Historic District. Garbage carts should be removed from the street within 24-hours after pick up.  Garbage bags and other garbage containers placed on the curb will not be picked up by Environmental Services.  

• Tree limbs, couches, rugs, yard clippings, etc., should be placed on the curb the day before your scheduled trash pickup.

• Garbage pick-up is provided 2 days a week and trash pick-up is provided 1 day a week.  Ask your Landlord or call 311 to find out what days are scheduled for your area of town.

• Furniture or appliances not manufactured for outdoor use are prohibited outside any dwelling.