The beautiful and historic city of Seville is a popular destination for travelers and is known as a welcoming city. However, in certain areas, tourist apartments outnumber local residents. Meanwhile, the problem is that tourists make much too much noise in the Airbnb properties, disturbing the local residents. In fact, local authorities have passed a new law for compulsory noise meters in all Airbnbs in the city.

Noise meters compulsory in Airbnbs in Seville

Noise level among tourists is unfortunately common in the popular cities of Spain with many visitors unaware that they are disturbing residents. They are on vacation and possibly believe that everyone around them is on vacation too.

However, authorities in Seville in Andalucía, Spain have introduced a new law in an attempt to crack down on noise levels. Basically, all short-stay apartments must now be fitted with noise meters to keep those levels down.

According to The Times, visitors to Seville will have to keep their noise levels down, thanks to the compulsory installation of decibel meters in Airbnb and other short-stay apartments. Meanwhile, the problem is at its worst in the Santa Cruz neighborhood of the city, where vacation rental apartments outnumber locals. This led to complaints about overtourism and noise.

Currently, properties in other cities like Málaga also have noise meters installed. However, Seville is taking things a step further by ensuring the noise limits are enforced. Basically, the decibel meters will constantly measure the volume and should it go above a certain level, the owners will receive a message. They are told to deal with the problem immediately and failure to do so will attract penalties.

Making the city a ‘friendly place’

José Luis Sanz is the newly appointed mayor of Seville. When he was campaigning, he promised to deal with the negative aspects of tourism. This is something that has clearly been popular with voters in the past and is obviously something required by residents now.

Reportedly, 60 percent of the apartments in the beautiful Santa Cruz neighborhood are registered as tourist lets. When speaking to the residents, the mayor told them, “I want to reclaim the neighborhood for the residents, making it a friendly place for residents.”

Meanwhile, Sanz continued, promising residents:

I will work to limit tourist accommodation to avoid the desertification of the city. I will make the historic center habitable for the people of Seville and I will implement measures such as the regulation of tourist accommodation.

Besides noise meters, the new law will regulate how many people can stay in the apartments at the same time. Often, they are crammed with many tourists, trying to save money on their accommodation.

Seville residents take matters into their own hands

Due to the noise and other overtourism, some residents recently took the law into their own hands. They sealed the mini key safes often found outside short-stay apartments, basically denying tourists access to their rented apartments.

If you are planning to visit Seville in the near future, take note and check whether there is a noise meter in your chosen vacation accommodation.