Beach rules, weird laws to know for spring break in Myrtle Beach

Families and college students headed to the Myrtle Beach area for spring break should be aware of laws that could affect their time at the beach.

Some of those may even seem a little weird.

Over the years, the city has passed several laws to protect beaches and the people enjoying them. Any rule breakers are at risk of paying a $500 fine and/or 30 days in jail, if convicted.

A spokesperson for the Myrtle Beach Police Department said Wednesday that officers will continue to enforce laws as usual.

Here are some those laws to be mindful of if you’re going to be spending time at the beach.

Beach activities

• Alcohol, glass containers and glass bottles are not allowed on the beach.

• Littering is illegal, and visitors are advised to use the available trash and recycling containers.

• Fires are prohibited on the beach, including barbecues and bonfires.

• Visitors are advised to stay on the boardwalks and marked paths to avoid disturbing or damaging the dunes, according to the Myrtle Beach city ordinance.

• Digging holes deeper than 2 feet and using a metal shovel is not allowed. Be sure to fill in any holes you made.

• It is illegal to remove sand from Horry County beaches.

• It is not illegal to take seashells from South Carolina beaches, but it is illegal to pick up shells with the intention to sell them without a license.

Beach umbrellas

• Beach-goers are permitted to set up their gear after 8 a.m. and must remove their items from the beach by 7 p.m. daily.

• Umbrellas must be in line with or behind the lifeguards’ line of umbrellas or landward of the mean high tide line.

• Small pop-up/blow-up cabanas no larger than 4 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet for infants or small children are permitted. Tents, tarps, cabanas, pavilions and similar devices are not permitted.

• From the day after Labor Day until Memorial Day, tents and canopies up to 12-by-12 square feet can be used, but they must be 10 feet behind the lifeguards’ umbrella line.

Weird laws

• People age 17 and younger are not allowed to play pinball machines.

• It is illegal to use profanity in public.