Tybee Island has kept dogs off its sand for years, with a $300 fine waiting for anyone who ignored the rule. That changes for one season. On Thursday night, at the end of a meeting that ran past 10:30, the city council voted 4-2 to try an off-season pilot that lets dogs onto a stretch of south beach.
The rules are specific. The pilot runs Nov. 15 through Feb. 28, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., from the pier to Chatham Street. Owners need a free permit. Dogs must be vaccinated and on a leash no longer than 8 feet, waste goes in the bag, and each handler is limited to one dog.
Dogs enter through the beach crossovers and stay out of the dunes and vegetated areas. The vote was not unanimous and neither was the room. Supporters wanted to walk their dogs on the sand. Others raised enforcement, the size of the beach, and the endangered shorebirds that use it. Council members built in an escape hatch: if beach renourishment starts there, the pilot pauses. That uncertainty is why the permit costs nothing.
What this means for your dog
If you are near Savannah this winter, register for the permit before you load the car, and carry proof of rabies vaccination even though the city lets owners self-certify. An 8-foot leash is longer than the 6-foot limit most cities use, so practice on a long line at home if your dog has never had that much slack.
Beach sand is deceptive. It gets cold on the pads in February, it hides glass and fishing hooks, and enough salt water makes a dog sick. Bring fresh water, rinse the paws afterward, and give the bird zones a wide berth even when the sand looks empty. Planning the drive? Our road trip checklist covers the rest.
Details are in the WTOC report.