Paid parking looming: Here’s what you need to know when visiting the Myrtle Beach area
If you’re a resident in the Myrtle Beach area or are planning a visit, there’s a few things you should know ahead of the start of the paid parking season.
The paid parking season will begin March 1 in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach. The season will run through Oct. 31.
Here are a few tips you should know before heading to the sand and surf.
Myrtle Beach
All meters are enforced everyday from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m., with some spaces on 14th Avenue North from Withers Drive to Ocean Boulevard, Withers Drive between 12th and 15th Avenues North, and 20th and 22nd Avenues North enforced from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Meters with green tags offer all-day parking with prices varying upon location, but high-traffic areas with a red sticker allow for short-term parking with a three-hour maximum at a $1.75 per hour fee. Parking fees vary throughout the city and prices for each street can be found at www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/services/parking_meters/index.php.
All parking meters take coins, with some accepting credit and debit cards, while pay stations accept coins, U.S. bills up to $10, credit cards and debit cards. Citations for unpaid parking begin at $30. If unpaid for 30 days, the fine increases to $60.
Motorists are encouraged to check the meter, pay station or parking signage before parking.
Free decals are only available to those who live within city limits with a vehicle or motorcycle that is registered to the home which city property taxes have been paid. City residents must produce the most current Horry County Vehicle Paid Tax Receipt, South Carolina Vehicle Registration Card and proof of residency.
Those who own an in-city business who also live inside the city and use a company-registered vehicle as their sole personal vehicle may qualify for a decal for the vehicle. Commercial-use vehicles are not eligible for a decal.
Non-resident decals for both vehicles and golf carts are available for $100. Though the decals are only applied at designated metered parking locations between 21st Avenue North and 6th Avenue South, and at metered street ends from 69th to 77th Avenues North.
Residential properties east of Kings Highway from 31st Avenue North to 82nd Avenue North can access four decals per address at no cost. Visitors can access seven-day parking passes at Lanier Parking located in the Pavilion Parking Garage for $30.
North Myrtle Beach
Several changes have been made to North Myrtle Beach’s paid parking program since it was first implemented last year.
Parking will continue to carry a $2 per hour fee to those without city decals in public parking lots on either side of Ocean Boulevard from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hourly fee can be paid at a kiosk or on the Passport Parking App. Lots will additionally have attendants from Lanier Parking who will enforce parking rules and provide assistance to those in need.
Motorists without decals parking in any public right-of-ways located east of Nixon, Perin, Hillside, Lake, Seaview and Spring adjacent to Ocean Boulevard will now have to pay a $2 per hour fee via mobile app.
Visitors are advised to keep all four tires off the pavement, keep off the sidewalk and avoid blocking any driveway, and observe required distances from intersections, fire hydrants and stop signs. Homeowners are also required to obtain an encroachment permit prior to installing anything in a right-of-way.
The city will begin accepting parking decal applications at the parking office located in the finance department at City Hall on Feb. 24.
Two free parking decals will be provided per household, with a third available for purchase at $200.
Residents with vehicles registered to their North Myrtle Beach address are advised to bring their registration and South Carolina driver’s license to apply for their free parking decal, while property owners whose golf carts are registered with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles must provide a printed photo of their permit and state driver’s license.
A full-time resident who has registered their vehicle to their company or who drives a company car, which fit into traditional parking spot, must show their most recent property tax bill and driver’s license to apply for a free decal.
A non-resident property owner can apply for one complimentary parking decal for their personal vehicle, golf cart or motorcycle. Applications for golf carts require a copy of the SCDMV permit registered to the property owner’s North Myrtle Beach address, while vehicles don’t have to be registered to the North Myrtle address but must be registered in the property owner’s name.
Each household can also purchase an additional parking decal for $200.
Horry County residents living outside city limits can purchase one decal for their personal vehicles for $200. The city will offer 200 parking decals on a first come, first serve basis.
Decals must be placed on the inside, bottom part of the driver’s-side windshield, with golf cart decals placed on the outside bottom section of the driver’s-side windshield. Motorcycle decals will need to be placed on the outside, bottom left corner of the windshield. Vehicles without a windshield can display their decal next to their state registration sticker.
Those who fail to adhere to the city’s ordinance will be fined $25. If the fine isn’t paid within 30 days, it’ll increase to $75. In addition, the vehicle may be subject to impoundment or immobilization.
Additionally, parking will be prohibited on the Ocean Boulevard median. Violating parking regulations will result in a ticket.
Surfside Beach
Pay stations located at Surfside Pier, Yaupon Drive, Melody Lane, 3rd Avenue North, 6th Avenue North, 13th Avenue and 3rd Avenue South to 6th Avenue South cost $2 per hour, $10 per day or $40 per week.
The town offers metered parking which can be paid with cash or via Park Mobile app for $1.75 per hour or $10 per day at 16th Avenue North, and 4th Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard. Payment is required in the latter lot as permits or decals are not exempted.
Parking is free for one hour on Surfside Drive from Pinewood to Hollywood Drive for all vehicles without town parking decals. Motorcycle trailer parking will also be free in the 13th Avenue South lot and the 16th Avenue North lot during all bike rallies.
Golf carts can also park for free in available space in beach access lots without meters and are not labeled “Pay to Park.”
Visitors are encouraged not to avoid parking where officials signs prohibit parking, on sidewalks, within 30 feet of an intersection, within 10 feet of any beach access, driveway and entrance or exit to any parking lot, on private property without consent of the owner, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, along the east and west side of Ocean Boulevard without a town decal.
Additionally, motorists are advised to keep all wheels off the black pavement and to refrain from parking against the proper flow of traffic.
Those with town decals, Purple Hearts, Disabled Veterans and handicapped placard or license plate tags can park at any public parking space for free with proper decal displayed. Both resident and non-residential decals are currently available at Town Hall.
Residents are allowed up to five decals and must provide a copy of current registration showing an in-town address for each vehicle or golf cart. Non-residents who own property in Surfside can apply for for two vehicle decals or one golf cart pass.
Horry County residents living outside city limits can purchase decals for $200.
This story was originally published February 21, 2020 at 5:30 PM.
