Here’s everything you’re allowed to do in Myrtle Beach, SC now that summer tourism season is over

As Myrtle Beach slows down after the summer tourist season, several local ordinances relax restrictions on things like surfing, sailing and taking dogs to the beach.

After Labor Day, locals and off-season visitors can enjoy more freedom on beaches and the boardwalk until next May, when seasonal restrictions resume. Here are all the things you can do in Myrtle Beach now that you couldn’t last week.

Bikes

From May 1 through Labor Day, the city Myrtle Beach prohibits using bicycles, tricycles and similar human, gas or electric powered wheeled vehicles between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on public beaches. On the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, bicycles are also banned except after 5 p.m. and before 10 a.m. After Labor Day, you can take your bike on the beach or boardwalk at anytime of day.

Dogs

The city of Myrtle Beach doesn’t allow dogs — except law enforcement and service animals — on public beaches from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between May 1 and Labor Day. Likewise, they aren’t allowed on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk during the same times, except for, “the purpose of direct and expeditious crossing of the right-of-way,” according to the Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances.

After Labor Day, you can bring your dog to the beach or boardwalk anytime, as long as it’s on a leash no longer than 7 feet.

Animals on Ocean Boulevard

Between May 1 and Labor Day, it’s unlawful to take an animal on the right-of-way of Ocean Boulevard between 21st Avenue North and 13th Avenue South, except to directly and expeditiously cross. After Labor Day the restriction is lifted until May.

Sailboats, sail boards and kite surfing boards

Between May 1 and Labor Day, the city of Myrtle Beach prohibits operating a sailboat, sail board, kite surfing board or any similar device in the Atlantic Ocean within 100 yards of a public beach, except to launch from or return to the beach. When launching or returning, riders must go perpendicular to the beach, avoid people in the water and go slowly. After Labor Day, these restrictions are lifted.

Kayaks and surfboards

From 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., starting May 1 through Labor Day, The Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances prohibits using kayaks, surf boards and similar hard devices except:

• From 710 feet of the center line of 29th Avenue South street-end to the south city limits

• From 34th Avenue North to 47th Avenue North

• From 78th Avenue North to 81st Avenue North

• From 87th Avenue North to the north city limits

• From 62nd Avenue North to 68th Avenue North

The city also prohibits using such devices within 75 feet of a fishing pier and within a half mile of the shore, except in the aforementioned areas, from May 1 to Labor Day.

After Labor Day, the city lifts those restrictions until next May, though riders are always responsible for navigating in a way that’s not hazardous to others, and surfers must always leash their boards.

Shading devices

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, only circular umbrellas with diameters 7.5 feet or smaller and children’s tents with maximum dimensions of 4 feet wide, 3 feet deep and 3 feet high are permitted on public beaches in the city of Myrtle Beach.

After Labor Day, shading devices can be up to 144 square feet, or 12 feet by 12 feet and up to 9 feet tall when installed. No matter the season, only circular umbrellas with diameters up to 7.5 feet can be placed within 10 feet of other shading devices. Local law also prohibits binding or connecting shade devices year round.

Cruising

The Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances prohibits cruising, which it defines as, “driving a motor vehicle, or causing or allowing a motor vehicle to be driven, past a traffic control point between 3rd Avenue South and 21st Avenue North on Ocean Boulevard two or more times in any two-hour period between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. during the period from May 1 through Labor Day of each year.”

There are exceptions for emergency and government vehicles being used in an official capacity, public transportation and commercial vehicles, but the ordinance doesn’t apply from Labor Day until May 1.

This story was originally published September 5, 2024 at 6:00 AM.