It is reported in Milliyet news online that Minister for Environment and Forestry, Veysel Eroğlu, has said that loud music must stop by midnight everywhere in Turkey, with no exceptions.

People in tourist hotspots such as Bodrum, Çeşme, Marmaris and Kuşadası were shocked by this declaration.  Businessmen are saying this will have a significant impact on tourism.

Kamil Issı, owner of Club Areena in Marmaris (said to be the biggest club in southern Aegean), has claimed that imposing this regulation will paralyse the tourist business, and 3,000 people will lose their jobs.  He went on to say that there should be exceptions to the rule, such as Barlar Sokagi (the main bar street).

BODER chairman (Bodrum Organization of Hotels and Touristic Establishments), Halil Ozyurt, said half of the tourists coming to Bodrum are there for the night life and it's not possible to limit noise to 23:59.

As long as people are not complaining about the noise, it is out of question to change the current policy in Bodrum.  The Mayor for Bodrum, Mehmet Kocadon, said that the noise in Bodrum is totally under Belediye's control and the regulation is not applicable.

In July 2009, KTLN reported on local opening times, and limits for late night music.  The same limits apply for 2010, but this new announcement appears to be even stricter.  However, it is not clear to us whether a law has been passed yet, or is simply an aspiration.

Here is the earlier KTLN article from July 2009.

It is our understanding that as far as Kalkan is concerned, according to current Belediye rules, music in restaurants must stop by 00:30 (half past midnight).

As far as bars and discos in Kalkan are concerned, the rules stipulate that music may be played after 00:30, but only within strict decibel levels, which in practise means within 'an enclosed area' - i.e. behind closed doors.  They must stop by 4am.

There is an additional point in the Kalkan rules, about not causing offense to those nearby.  We are not sure exactly how this is enforced.  We wonder if it covers things such as intrusive 'light pollution', such as high powered searchlights or laser beams in the night sky, or excessive, flashing neon signs?

If you are affected by noise or other similar nuisances, we suggest taking your evidence to the Belediye.