Myrtle Beach Rules & Regulations

• Alcohol is prohibited on the beach and beach accesses.
• Fires, including grills and the releasing of Chinese lanterns, are prohibited on the beach and beach accesses.
• No vehicles are allowed on the beach.
• Glass is not allowed on the beach.
• No sleeping on the beach or beach accesses from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.
• No diving or jumping from piers.
• Animals
  • No animals are permitted on the beach from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., from May 1 through Labor Day.
  • Must be on a hand held leash no longer than 7-feet.
  • Owners must clean up after their animals.
  • Prohibited animals include reptiles and exotic animals.
• Destruction of sea oats, beach grass/vegetation, and sand fencing is unlawful.
• No littering on the beach or the ocean.
• Nudity is prohibited including thong bathing suits.
• Solicitation and commercial activities are prohibited.
• Fireworks are prohibited on the beach and oceanfront properties that have been deemed and posted as a Firework Prohibited Zone.

• Bicycles

  • Not permitted on the beach between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. from May 1 through Labor Day.
• Fishing
  • Shark fishing from any pier, the beach and shore is prohibited.
    • At the time of recognition, fishermen must release sharks and any other dangerous marine animals.
  • Anyone surf fishing must obtain a valid South Carolina issued Surf Fishing License in accordance with State Law. http://www.dnr.sc.gov/fishing.html
• Horses
  • Horses are only allowed on the beach from November 1 through February 28 in the designated equestrian zone, which is the central portion of the beach and is south of Myrtle Beach and north of Surfside Beach.
  • Horse owners must pick up after their animals.
• Swimming
  • Swimmers are not allowed more than 50-yards from shore or less depending on conditions.
  • They are not allowed to be more than chest deep or less depending on conditions.
  • Swimmers must obey all lifeguard directions at all times.

• Myrtle Beach Rules on Flotation Devices

  • They are allowed if they are fabric covered, have a 360-degree rope with a 10 percent slack, or must be a U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device.
  • This section does not apply to surfboards, paddleboards and skimboards.
  • Golf Carts
    • Are permitted on the beaches from November 1 through February 28 with a valid state permit and a licensed driver.
    • For more information on golf cart permits log on to http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/default.aspx?n=golf_carts.
    • Surfing
      • Surfing is allowed anywhere along our beaches from sunrise to sunset.
      • No surfing allowed within 75-yards of any pier.
      • All surfers must wear a surfing leash with a maximum length of 7-feet at all times.

    • Shading devices

      • Approved beach franchise holders will establish the locations of their life guard stands and umbrellas.
        • Any shading devices that impede the lifeguard’s view/area of responsibility, may be asked to move.
        • No shading device may be placed within 10-feet of any established umbrella line by the beach franchise holders and must be in line with or landward of the established umbrella line.
      • Shading devices, other than circular umbrellas with a circular shade no greater than seven feet six inches (7’6”) in diameter and small pop-up/blow-up cabanas for infants and very small children, are not permitted on the beach (year-round).  This includes, but is not limited to, tents, tarps, cabanas, pavilions, sports-brellas, or similar devices.  An umbrella is defined as a collapsible circular shade consisting of a natural or synthetic fabric shade stretched over hinged ribs radiating from a central pole without grounding lines or ropes.
      • Shading devices of any kind cannot be tied, bound, or connected in any manner.
      • All shading devices must be secured.
      • No items (shading devices, floats, chairs, etc.) can be left on the beach between the hours of 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. Items will be removed.

    • Watercraft restrictions

      • Sailboats, boats, jet skis, or other watercraft cannot be left on the beach anytime after sunset or before sunrise or left unattended.
      • No Motorboats may be operated, except jet skis or similar vessel, in the ocean within 400-yards of shore.
      • No Jet skis in the ocean within 100-yards of shore from May 1 through Labor Day.  However, it is ok to launch and return jet skis from the beach.
      • Sailboats, kite surfing, and like devices may not be operated in the ocean within 100-yards of shore from May 1 through Labor Day. However, it is ok to launch and return such devices from the beach.
  • Read More Myrtle Beach Rules and Laws on weddings and wheelchairs.