Essential Myrtle Beach, SC safety laws to remember

Myrtle Beach enforces local laws to ensure safety and enjoyment for its visitors and residents. The curated articles emphasize laws regarding transportation, beach behavior, waste management, and post-tourism season activities.

Golf carts in South Carolina can be operated on roads but only during daylight and within proximity of a registered address. They must stay on streets with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. Horseback riding is permitted on certain beaches during the winter months, particularly in the Myrtle Beach State Park and Georgetown County. Horse owners need permits and must clean up after their animals. Burning trees in yards is illegal in Myrtle Beach and requires special permits in other areas. Burning trash is banned due to environmental risks. Shading devices such as tents are restricted on beaches during peak tourism season, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited year-round on public sand.

A golf cart travels along Ocean Boulevard Sunday afternoon in Myrtle Beach as Tropical Storm Isaias approaches the coast, and the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread. At least 91,257 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in South Carolina and 1,709 have died, according to state health officials. By Josh Bell

NO. 1: HOW STREET LEGAL ARE GOLF CARTS IN SC? HERE’S WHAT STATE LAW SAYS

Driving a golf cart this summer? Just how street legal are they in South Carolina? Here’s what state law says. | Published June 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Maria Elena Scott

A surfer catches a wave near the Springmaid Pier with the city of Myrtle Beach skyline in the background. The week of July 4th is one of the times for tourism in the Myrtle Beach area. July 2, 2024. By JASON LEE

NO. 2: HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU’RE ALLOWED TO DO IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC NOW THAT SUMMER TOURISM SEASON IS OVER

Myrtle Beach locals and off-season visitors: these 7 Myrtle Beach rules change after Labor Day until May. Here’s all the cool stuff you can do now that you couldn’t last week. | Published September 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Maria Elena Scott

In this Herald file photo, Christmas trees in a pile at the Eastview Collection and Recycling Center on Adnah Church Road in York County, South Carolina. By Tracy Kimball

NO. 3: CAN YOU BURN YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE IN YOUR FRONT YARD? WHAT MYRTLE BEACH AREA LAWS SAY

When getting rid of a Christmas tree in the Myrtle Beach, SC area, there are multiple options. But what about a good old-fashioned burn? | Published December 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Emalyn Muzzy

A Myrtle Beach garbage truck collects trash.

NO. 4: GARBAGE CANS, BURNING WASTE & MORE: TRASH LAWS MYRTLE BEACH, SC RESIDENTS SHOULD KNOW

From burning garbage to overflowing bins, every Myrtle Beach transplant should know these trash laws and regulations. | Published January 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Maria Elena Scott

At Inlet Point Plantation visitors get the unique opportunity to ride on the beach at Waties Island, one of the few undeveloped maritime forests in Horry County. By JASON LEE

NO. 5: ARE HORSES ALLOWED ON THE BEACH IN THE MYRTLE BEACH, SC AREA? HERE’S WHAT THE LAW SAYS

With a lack of tourists, some areas around the Grand Strand permit horses on the beach. Here’s where to go horseback riding in Myrtle Beach. | Published January 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Emalyn Muzzy

The last beach renourishment project in the Grand Strand pumped 1.4 million cubic yards of sand along beaches in 2018. By Jason Lee

NO. 6: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BEACH CLOSURES FOR RENOURISHMENT IN THE MYRTLE BEACH AREA THIS SPRING

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is planning beach renourishment around the Myrtle Beach, SC area this spring. Here’s what you need to know about the construction timeline and beach access closures. | Published January 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Maria Elena Scott

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As storms clear out, visitors head back to the strand in downtown Myrtle Beach on Monday. The week of July 4th is one of the times for tourism in the Myrtle Beach area. July 1, 2024. By JASON LEE

NO. 7: SPRING BREAK IS COMING UP. BEACH LAWS TO KNOW BEFORE ARRIVING IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC AREA

The Grand Strand boasts 60 miles of sandy beaches. Here are important laws to remember when swimming, surfing or strolling the ocean front. | Published February 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Emalyn Muzzy

Mike Stranak returns from the surf with a small shark at a surf fishing clinic held by The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources at Huntington Beach State Park on Thursday. July 14, 2022. By JASON LEE

NO. 8: SC COUNTY MOVES TO BAN SURF, SHARK FISHING ON PUBLIC BEACHES. LOCAL FISHERMEN ALARMED

A proposed ordinance in Georgetown County would restrict surf and bait fishing during certain times during the summer and ban shark fishing on public beaches. | Published June 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alexa Lewis

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.