The seasonal Myrtle Beach changes you need to know about

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - As locals and tourists alike get ready to flock to the beach, you may want to read up on Myrtle Beach’s seasonal changes.

From May 1 through Labor Day, bikes and pets are prohibited on the beach between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Myrtle Beach residents Nary Scounlamany and Amber Needham told WMBF News they always bring their dog, Dolly, to the beach with them.

“She loves the beach, she loves people,” said Needham.

The seasonal rules help keep people and pets safe during the Grand Strand’s busy season.

“You have a greater risk of possibly hitting someone with your bicycle or your animal maybe having a bad side effect to being around a large group of people,” said John Lively, a beach patrol officer with the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

Lively also said the UV rays can be too intense for animals during these hours-- something Scounlamany and Needham agree with.

“It’s all about the safety of the fur babies, and you know, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the sun rays are way too hot for her, or any fur baby,” said Needham.

Although these rules have been in place for several years, Lively said it can be difficult to get everyone on the same page.

“Even our locals, sometimes they forget what day it is. You know, a lot of people move down to the beach just to kind of let go of time, so we like to go ahead and inform all of our public,” said Lively. “We have a lot of tourists come down and they have no idea about our ordinances.”

Because of this, Lively said officers will start with verbal warnings. But, breaking these rules is considered a misdemeanor and carries over a $250 fine.

“We seek verbal compliance, but sometimes, we need to use our discretion professionally and see how the situation pertains, and sometimes it might be the appropriate action to cite someone for it,” said Lively. “But, hopefully, it never comes to that.”

These changes start on Wednesday and last through Labor Day. A full list includes:

• Dogs are only allowed on the beach before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
• Dogs and bicycles are only allowed on the boardwalk between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
• Kayaks and surfboards are allowed between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the following locations: 710 feet of the center line of 29th Avenue South Street end to the southernmost end of city limits, 34th Avenue North to 47th Avenue North, 78th Avenue North to 81st Avenue North, 87th Avenue North to the northernmost end of city limits and 62nd Avenue North to 68th Avenue North.

Here are some other year-round rules that beach-goers may want to take notice of:

• No alcohol, glass containers or glass bottles are allowed on the beach.
• No fires allowed.
• Thong-style bathing suits are a no for the beaches and out in public. In addition, g-strings, t-backs, “dental floss” style, and thongs are not allowed in public.
• Items may not be set up on the beach before 8 a.m. and they must be removed by 7 p.m.
• You can’t swim or surf within 75 yards of a pier.
• Digging holes deeper than two feet is not allowed. Plus, all holes must be filled before leaving the beach.
• It is illegal to damage the dunes.
• Metal detecting is allowed on the public beach but not on the dunes or other public property.

Starting on Memorial Day, only circular umbrellas that are up to seven-and-a-half feet in diameter are allowed on the beach.

For more information, visit the City of Myrtle Beach’s website.

Stay with WMBF News for updates.

Copyright 2024 WMBF. All rights reserved.