< Myrtle Beach Laws - Laws for the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach, Georgetown County
Myrtle Beach Laws, 2023

Laws Including

Surfside Beach, Georgetown County, Myrtle Beach and
North Myrtle Beach

Laws applyto golf carts, alcohol, tents and more

You may be interested in Myrtle Beach crime, and Parking and Beach Access

LAWS: CITY OF MYRTLE BEACH LAWS: CITY OF NORTH MYRTLE BEACH LAWS:
GEORGETOWN COUNTY LAWS

City of Myrtle Beach laws

Handicap parking at MYR

Alcoholic Beverages - Drug Possession

It is unlawful for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. See WMBF News story

On the beach: open liquor and beer bottles are prohibited on the beaches well as on any sidewalk..

The Grand Strand has ZERO tolerance for furg related crimes

Animals (see more below)

Owners are required to remove pet waste from public property, including the beach.

County laws: Dogs in public must be on a leash. Dogs are allowed on the beach before 10 A.M. and after 5 P.M. every day through Labor Day.

Facebook: The city of Myrtle Beach has several Facebook pages and this is the best way to stay in touch with with current events. The Facebook link is Myrtle Beach city government

Georgetown County Laws

No littering - dropping trash on the beach or in the ocean is illegal. No alcoholic liquors 
No glass containers
No vehicles on beach dunes
No Obstruction of free access locations
No tents, cabanas or any other items left overnight. They will be considered abandoned and may be removed.
No loitering on any beach access.
No personal property allowed in 25 feet if any beach access.
Dogs must be leashed from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dogs not leashed during other hours must be under voice control and owner must be able to demonstrate voice call to their dogs if a law enforcement officer if asked.
No horses on the beach
No nudity
No sleeping on the beach
Fishing that creates any unsafe conditions is against the law.

Beach Tents

Tent laws - This does not apply to Georgetown County. (See Georgetown Co.. listings just above.)

HORRY COUNTY:
Shading devices: circular umbrellas with a circular shade, no greater than 7 feet, six inches (7’6”) in diameter, are not permitted on the beach (year-round). Thus includes, but is not limited to tents, tarps, cabanas, pavilions, umbrellas or similar devices.

An umbrella is defined as a collapsible circular shade consisting of natural or synthetic fabric shade stretched over hinged ribs, radiating from a central pole grinding lines or ropes.

Horry County leaders changed the business license law. In an effort to cut out “problem businesses” in Horry County, change the way businessesapply for a business license. Here is current information regarding business license in the city of Myrtle Beach.

Riding a bicycle safely and staying within the laws of Myrtle Beach

Download this .pdf from the city of Myrtle Beach for anyone who likes to ride their bicycle.

Riding horses on the beach

Horseback riding on the beach is not allowed Nov.1 until the end of February every year, plus subject to the rules listed below. No permit needed.

1. Not more than 6 horses and riders allowed in a group at the same tine,

2. Riding across sand dunes is prohibited.

3. Access to the beach will be from Myrtle Beach State Park.

4. There will be no parking of horse trailers on the public right-of-ways.

5. All riders are asked to clean up after their horses in all areas landward of the mean tide line. There is a per horse fee. Phone: (843) 238-5325 for more information.

Boating - Surfing

Horry County

It is illegal to do anything that might endanger bathers, swimmers, surfers and others in the water. Sailboats, motorboats, and Jet skis (or other personal watercraft) must remain at least 400 feet from the shoreline and 500 feet away from any fishing pier, with the exception of entering or exiting the ocean. Sailboard,motor boats and jet skies are NOT be launched or retrieved within 50 yards of a life guard stand unless otherwise designated.

North Myrtle Beach

Motorized watercraft may not be launched from the beach between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 15-Sept. 15. Jet skis, catamarans, sailboats, or other watercraft may not operate within 100 yards of the shoreline or within 50 yards of any swimmer. Cherry Pier not allowed from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. May 15-Sept.15, except in these designated areas: Cherry Pier at 23th Ave.S., 28th Ave. S., 38th Ave. S. and 6th Ave. North

Surfside Beach

Surfside Beach: Access to the beach for motorized or non-motorized boats or jet skis is limited to the designated ramp at 4th Ave. S. No motorized vehicle may be used to transport watercraft across the ramp onto the beach. Watercraft must be a minimum of 50 yards offshore.

Surfing is not allowed in Surfside Beach from May 15 to September 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. except in an area beginning 270 feet south of 12th Ave.

Myrtle Beach

All aquatic activity within 150 feet if a pier is illegal. Boats and Jet skis (or other personal watercraft) may not be operated within 100 years of shore from April 15-Sept. 15; however, Jet Skis may be launched and returned to the beach on a perpendicular manner. Boats and jet skies must be launched from the beach or returned to the beach April 15-Sept. 15 in the area from 29th Ave S. to 31st Ave. N., and from 69th Ave. N. to 77th Ave. N.

Surfing and kayaking are restricted to certain areas April 5-Sept. 15. During those dates, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., surfing and kayaking are allowed only in these areas: from 29th Ave. S. to the southern city limits at Springmaid Pier (Doubletree Resort), from 39th Ave. N. to 47th Ave. N., from 62nd Ave. N. to 68th Ave. N., and from 82nd Ave. N. to the northern city limits. The area from the south said of 8th Ave. N. to the north end of the public boardwalk will be used for surfing or kayaking Oct. 1-April 15. Kayaks launched and returned to the beach on a course perpendicular to the beach for use out of their surf zone, not subject to the previously mentioned time and area restrictions.

Campfires

It is illegal to build a fire or use propane-fired grill or any other cooker on the beach.

Driving on the Beach

It is unlawful for anyone to drive or operate any motor vehicle on the beach or within public marsh areas.

Fireworks

Discharging of fireworks is illegal in all municipalities along the Grand Strand. Establishments that sell fireworks within Horry County required to post rules and regulations regarding fireworks in a conspicuous location.

Glass Containers

Glass containers are prohibited on the beach, boardwalk or any public paths

Golf Carts

City of North Myrtle Beach Please click here for beach laws in the city of North Myrtle Beach.

Golf Cart Laws Myrtle Beach bike paths are for bikes - not golf carts or other motorized vehicles. Violations may be in the $200.+ range. New information below about golf cart crossing Bus. 17

Golf carts are not allowed on Kings Highway and other golf cart rules… Here’s a reminder that the state regulates how golf carts may be driven on public streets. Rules include that you must have a permit from the SC DMV, as well as liability insurance.Gold carts can only be driven during daylight hours by licensed drivers, and only on secondary roads where the speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. Golf carts also may go no more than four miles from the registered address.

And the answer is, “Not by driving on the multipurpose path to the East Coast Greenway, both of which are for human-powered activities.”

8/23/18 - Residents living in or near The Market Common District: For those who want to take a golf cart to the state-approved golf cart crossing on Kings Hwy. Here's how:   You can legally access this crossing to the State Park by taking Mallard Lake Drive to the "Barc Parc" South entrance road, then following that road around to the shopping center. The parking lot exits at the city signal (intersection on Kings Highway) where the state has installed the marked golf cart crossing into the State Park.

The city and state do not allow motorized vehicles on sidewalks or multi-purpose paths.  You also cannot drive a golf cart on Kings Hwy., US 501, Harrelson Boulevard or other primary roads or any roads where the speed limit is greater than 5 mph. View the detailed list of golf cart regulations here

Litter

Disposing of liter or solid waste is illegal on private property and in S.C. waters. Cigarette butts are considered litter. The Court may impose fines, assign you to little cleanup hours or they may just send you to jail.

Parking Meter/Access Parking - For parking laws please Click here

Roads/Highways

MOPEDS If you are 15, you may apply for a moped operator's, or Class G, license by taking the vision and knowledge test at any SCDM. South Carolina does not require a skills test for moped applicants. You must have a valid driver's license or moped license to drive a moped. Additionally, your moped must be registered. If you are 16 or older with a Moped license, you may drive a moped alone at any time. Read more Moped laws here.

Seat belts must be worn at all times in a moving vehicle.
Open containers of beer, wine, or liquor are prohibited ib vehicles.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal; penalties include a fine of more than $200 and loss of driver's license in South Carolina and the driver's home state.

Vehicle headlights must be on your windshield wipers due to poor weather conditions. Motorcycles are required to use headlights all the time.

Children 17 or younger in a moving vehicle must be restrained at all times by means of appropriate for child's age and seating location National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

Right turns on red lights are allowed throughout the state, except where a sign denotes "No Right on Red." Stop and give way to traffic already in intersection.

Motorcycle operators and passengers under the age of 21 must wear an approved helmet, under South Carolina law

Cruising in Myrtle Beach. Cruising is regulated by the Myrtle Beach Police Department between 3rd Ave. S. and 21st Ave. N.on Ocean Blvd. from 2 a.m.-6 a.m. March 1- October 1.

Sea Oats

It is illegal to cut, break, or in any way destroy sea oats, beach grass or sand fencing.

Sleeping on the beach

Sleeping on the beach or on any public access is not allowed between 9 p.m. and sunrise.

Soliciting on the Beach

Soliciting on the beach or on any public property is illegal.

Swimming

Swimming is not permitted beyond 50 ft. from the beach or over shoulder depth, unless otherwise stated by lifeguard. Jumping or diving from any pier is prohibited. Swimming within 50 yards of a pier is prohibited. Only canvas rafts can be used in the ocean, and rafts must have safety ropes. Swimwear is subject to the city ordinances in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach or Surfside Beach.

Remember that beach laws for dogs and tents change after Labor Day. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2020, you can have your dog on the beach at any time, but it must be on a leash. You must pick up your dog's droppings and properly dispose of them. .  (Beginning May 1, dogsagain will be restircted between 10:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m.)  Also starting Tuesday, September 3, you may use tents and canopies up to 12 feet square, in addition to umbrellas. See THIS LINK for more information. The city has an "umbrellas only" policy from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  Umbrellas must be behind the line of lifeguards. When allowed, tents and canopies also must be behind the lifeguards.

Myrtle Beach City Laws:

Top 10 Things you may not know about parking in Myrtle Beach

Nearly 800! That's the number of cameras overlooking our city streets, intersections and parks.

Dog and bicycles  - In the city of Myrtle Beach From May 1 to Labor Day, dogs are allowed on the beach from 10:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. On the Boardwalk, May 1 through Labor Day, dogs are allowed only in the mornings from 5:00 to 10:00 a.m. At all times when they are allowed in public, your dog must be on a leash of 7 feet or shorter. Also, you must pick up their droppings.

Horseback riding Horseback riding on the beach is approved only with a special event permit.  The previous exemption for horses until the end of February does not apply. Special Events Application or Facility Use Permits, click on the link below. Or contact Construction Services at 918-1111 for Special Events permits.  For Facility Use Permits, call 918-1008 or 918-1808.

On the Boardwalk - dogs and bicycles May 31 through Labor Day, pets are allowed on the beach only before 10:00 a.m and after 5 p.m.  At all times, pets must be on a leash of 7 feet or shorter, and owners are properly dispose of any droppings.  Bicycles also must observe the "before 10:00 a.m. and after 5 p.m.” rule for the beach. On the Boardwalk, pets and bicycles are allowed only in the morning from 5:00 to 10:00 a.m.through Labor Day, pets must be on a leash and their droppings picked up.

Scroll down to GOLF CARTS

The city of Myrtle Beach has more than 800 surveillance cameras at major intersections and locations around the city including parking spots in other locations. Don't even THINK of ignoring the laws!

Myrtle Beach Business License law
Horry County Business License Laws

North Myrtle Beach Laws:
Here are the photos I took in October, 2016. These are current Beach Laws 1 Beach Laws 2
Dogs in public must be on a leash at all tines. Dogs are not allowed on the beach between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 15 - Sept. 15.

Surfside Beach laws:
Dogs ae not allowed on the beach between May 15 - Sept. 16 - riding horses on the beach is not permitted.

Got questions?? Visit our Myrtle Beach Message Board

Facebook Personal Page
Facebook Please "like" FunBeaches on Facebook!