State and Local Laws
Help us maintain a safe family resort by obeying the following state and local laws.
Beaches/Ocean
Swimming
Swimming is not permitted beyond 50 yards from the beach or over shoulder depth, unless otherwise stated by lifeguard. Jumping or diving from piers is prohibited. Swimming within 50 yards of a pier is prohibited. Only canvas rafts may be used in the ocean, and rafts must have safety ropes. Swimwear is subject to city ordinances in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Surfside Beach. It is illegal for anyone to wear a thong bathing suit.
Sea Oats
It is illegal to cut, break, or otherwise destroy sea oat plants, beach grass, or sand fencing.
Sleeping on the Beach
Sleeping on the beach or at a beach access is not allowed between 9 p.m. and sunrise.
Campfires
It is illegal to build a fire or use a propane-fired grill or other cooker on the beach.
Soliciting on the Beach
Soliciting on the beach or other public property is illegal.
Alcoholic Beverages
It is unlawful for any person under 21 to buy, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages.
Open containers of beer, wine, or liquor are prohibited in any public place including streets, sidewalks, and beach areas.
Glass Containers
Glass containers are prohibited on the beach.
Fireworks
Discharging of fireworks is illegal within the city limits of municipalities along the Grand Strand. Establishments that sell fireworks within Horry County are required to post in a conspicuous location rules and regulations regarding fireworks.
Litter
Disposing of litter or solid waste is illegal on public and private property and in S.C. waters. Cigarette butts are considered litter. The court may impose fines, litter cleanup hours, and jail time.
Driving on the Beach
It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate any motor vehicle on the beach or within public marsh areas.
Boating/Surfing
Horry County
It is illegal to use any equipment in a manner that would endanger bathers, swimmers, surfers, or 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 from any fishing pier, with the exception of entering or exiting the ocean. Sailboats, motorboats, and Jet skis may not be launched or retrieved within 50 yards of a lifeguard stand, unless otherwise designated.
Myrtle Beach
All aquatic activity within 150 feet of a pier is illegal. Boats and Jet skis (or other personal watercraft) may not be operated within 100 yards of shore April 15-Sept. 15; however, Jet skis may be launched and returned to the beach on a course perpendicular to the beach. Boats and Jet skis may not 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 15-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, 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 side of 8th Ave. N. to the north end of the public boardwalk may 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 the surf zone are not subject to the previously mentioned time and area restrictions.
North Myrtle Beach
Motorized watercraft may not be launched from the beach from 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. Surfing is not allowed from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 15-Sept. 15, except in these designated areas: Cherry Grove Pier, 13th Ave. S., 28th Ave. S., 38th Ave. S., and 6th Ave. N.
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 and onto the beach. Watercraft must remain a minimum of 50 yards offshore.
Surfing is not allowed between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 15-Sept. 15, except in an area beginning 270 feet south of 12th Ave. N. and extending north to 14th Ave. N., and in an area beginning 300 feet north of 13th Ave. S. and extending south into Garden City Beach. All surfers are required to wear a surfing leash at all times.
Animals
Owners are responsible for the removal of pet waste on beaches and other public property.
Horry County
Any animal on the beach must be on a hand-held leash not to exceed six feet in length and under the control of the person having custody of the animal. Animals are not allowed on the beach from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 1-Sept. 1. It is unlawful to ride a horse or other animal on the public beach or within pubic marsh areas within the county limits March 1-Oct. 31.
Myrtle Beach
Dogs in public must be on a leash at all times. No animals are allowed on the beach or Ocean Boulevard from 13th Ave. S. to 21st Ave. N. in Myrtle Beach during any time of the year. No dogs are allowed on the beach 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 15-Sept. 15. Pet owners are responsible for removing pet waste from any public property, including beaches.
Horses and riders are allowed on the beach within the city of Myrtle Beach from the third Saturday in November until the end of February, in groups of six or fewer. No "staging" is allowed within the city limits (access to the beach is through Myrtle Beach State Park), and riders must clean up droppings west of the high tide line.
North Myrtle Beach
Dogs in public must be on a leash at all times. No dogs are allowed on the beach from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 15-Sept. 15.
Surfside Beach
Dogs are not allowed on the beach at any time May 15-Sept. 15. Riding horses on the beach is prohibited.
Georgetown County
Dogs are allowed on public beaches if accompanied by the owner or keeper and under the physical control by means of a leash or similar restraining device, or under the control of a responsible person to whom the dog is obedient on command. On Pawleys Island beach, dogs must be on a leash May-October. At Huntington Beach State Park, dogs must be on a leash at all times. In areas designated for the protection of endangered species, dogs and cats must be on a leash at all times. Horses are not allowed on the beach March 15-Sept. 15. Riding horses on Pawleys Island or Huntington Beach State Park is prohibited year round.
Roads/Highways
Highways
- Seat belts must be worn at all times in a moving vehicle.
- Open containers of beer, wine, or liquor are prohibited in 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 driver's home state.
- Vehicle headlights must be on if operating windshield wipers due to rain or poor road conditions.
- Motorcyclists are required to use headlights at all times.
- Children 17-younger in a moving vehicle must be restrained at all times by means appropriate for child's age and seating location (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
- Right turns may be made on a red light throughout the state, except where a sign denotes "No Right on Red." Stop before turning and give way to traffic already in intersection.
Cruising
Myrtle Beach
Cruising is regulated by the Myrtle Beach Police Department between 3rd Ave. S. and 21st Ave. N. on Ocean Boulevard from 2 a.m.-6 a.m. March 1-Oct. 1.
For more information regarding other ordinances and beach safety, please visit the Beach Patrol Section of the City of Myrtle Beach's Web site.
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