Council moves to restrict tour guide stops on Howard Street, sends ordinance to committee for details

The Salem City Council on Sept. 25 voted to approve first passage of an ordinance that would prohibit tour groups from stopping for narration on Howard Street and would instead direct guides to use the grassy area near the base of Howard Street (the former Salem veil lot) for storytelling stops. The matter was advanced for first passage and the council requested a committee meeting between first and second passage to refine language and consider related tour‑guide ordinance issues.

Councilors described Howard Street as a narrow, shared street with no functional sidewalk; parking and pedestrian traffic frequently coexist. Councilor Hathworth, who introduced the change, said the street’s geometry makes stopping in the roadway unsafe and the grassy area at the bottom of the hill provides a safer place for narration. “Howard Street is unique in Salem … it is a dangerous situation,” she said.

Several councilors and the public raised that similar sidewalk and stopping problems occur elsewhere — Botts Court and Central Street were cited — and called for a more comprehensive review of the city’s tour‑guide rules and enforcement. Councilor Marcello urged enforcement of existing ordinances citywide rather than piecemeal measures, while Councilor Watzenfeld and others said Howard Street’s combination of darkness, narrowness and increased tourist traffic this season made immediate action reasonable.

The council voted to send the ordinance to an appropriate committee for continued work between first and second passage and approved first passage with the condition that a committee meeting be scheduled to consider additional edits. The committee assignment and follow‑up review were requested to ensure the language addresses Howard Street specifically and to consider broader tour‑guide ordinance changes and enforcement.

Why this matters: Howard Street is a pedestrian destination that leads to historic sites; the ordinance aims to limit roadway stops that block pedestrian movement and create safety hazards. Tour companies and guides are regulated by city licensing, and the council signaled it will pursue ordinance changes and enforcement clarifications to keep pedestrians safe while allowing tours to proceed.

Next steps: The council requested a committee meeting with the city solicitor and licensing staff between first and second passage to refine the ordinance language and address related enforcement steps.