Walking Tour Pilot Program

Goal: Propose modifications to address these concerns while balancing the needs of residents, walking tour businesses, and tour guides.

The Walking Tour Ordinance in Savannah regulates walking tours to ensure they are conducted safely and respectfully within the city. The ordinance needs updates to address growing concerns about noise, residential disturbances, and the viability of local walking tour companies. Click Here for the downloadable presentation.

Get Involved: The Walking Tour Section of the Tour Service for Hire (TSFH) ordinance is currently under review by City staff. In March of last year, staff requested walking tour owners and guides to be a part of the review process and have heard from many of you who want to be involved in this discussion. If you are willing to be a part of the conversation to modernize the TSFH ordinance, please send an email. You will be contacted with dates and times of meetings.


Walking Tours At a Glance

Walking Tour at night

  • 62 Registered Walking Tour Companies
  • 250 (+-) Tour Guides
  • Potentially 45 Tours Offered after 10PM
  • Currently no “End Time” for tours – only small restricted area
  • 30 Total number of Guests allowed per Walking Tour
  • No Voice Amplification Systems Allowed
  • Tour must not block sidewalks
  • Tours must not encroach on Private Property


Initiate Pilot Program February 1, 2025 for 90 Days

  • Includes “slower” Visitor Travel Month – FebruaryTour Group
  • Longer Days – March 9, 2025, Spring Forward
  • Busiest time for Visitor Travel – March and April
  • Restrict Walking Tours south of Liberty Street after 10PM
  • Maintain Current Group Size – avoiding potential revenue loss
  • Set cut-off time of 1AM for all Walking Tours

Resident Feedback

  • Noise in Residential Areas 
  • Large Groups of People, particularly after hours
  • Resident Privacy

Tour Company Feedback

  • Impacts to Employees of Tour Companies
  • Small Business Vitality – Financial Impact
  • Visitor Experience
  • Current Rules on Tour Sizes

Pilot Program – Potential Impacts

  • Potential for fewer tours offered due to restriction south of Liberty Street after 10 PM.
  • Financial impact is minimal compared to a reduction in the number of guests per tour. 
  • Tour operations more confined to the commercial district. 
  • Possible increase in pedestrian congestion on streets in commercial areas after 10 PM.

Overall Balance: Provides relief to residents while allowing tour companies to maintain operations without significant financial strain.

Impacted Locations and Squares

North of Liberty – Walking Tours allowed between 10PM and 1AM

  • Chippewa Square
  • McDonough’s Restaurant
  • Six Pence Pub
  • Wright Square 
  • Johnson Square
  • Savannah Civic Center
  • River Street
  • City Market
  • Broughton Street
  • Ellis Square
  • Colonial Cemetery
  • Franklin Square

South of Liberty – No walking Tours after 10PM

  • Madison Square
  • Sorrell Weed House – closes 11PM
  • Monterey Square
  • Mercer House – closes 5PM
  • Forsyth Park
  • Taylor Square
  • Lafayette Square
  • Chatham Square
  • Whitefield Square
  • Troup Square
  • Pulaski Square
  • Pinkie Master’s Bar
  • Cathedral of St. John the Baptist