Savannah City Council to consider ordinance to reduce bus tour noise

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – The streets of Savannah may soon be a little quieter as the City Council considers an ordinance that would aim to reduce the amount of noise from downtown bus tours.

The ordinance states that it is intended to control “unreasonably intrusive sound levels” from these passenger vehicles – not all sounds in general.

The ordinance would require tourist vehicles to be equipped with sound control devices, particularly directional speakers or in-ear technology for guides and tourists.

These devices should ensure that no sound would be “clearly audible” 15 feet or further away.

The ordinance also states that passenger vehicles can only honk their horns in situations where they are required to – they cannot do it just for fun.

If passed, tour operators would have three years to ensure all their vehicles were compliant, while 35% of their vehicles would have to be compliant within a year.

This ordinance is before the Savannah City Council at its meeting Thursday at 2 p.m. at City Hall.