Heading to Myrtle Beach for spring break? Know these laws before you hit the sand
Soon, thousands of people will make their way to Myrtle Beach for spring break.
The coastal city is one of the top beach destinations in the country and has become a place for families to vacation when the kids are out of school.
But before you pack the suitcases, there are a few things to know, such as beach laws and curfews that could affect your vacation.
Those 17-years-old and younger have a strict curfew
Designated areas of downtown Myrtle Beach have a strict curfew for those ages 17 and younger.
Parts of Ocean Boulevard, which include some of the busiest and most populated tourist areas, have been determined to be a protected zone where unaccompanied minors cannot be after 9 p.m. The exceptions are if a child is with a parent or guardian, work and emergencies.
The designated areas are from the ocean to Kings Highway from Sixth Avenue South to 21st Avenue North, extending to Broadway Street between Seventh Avenue North and Ninth Avenue North.
Outside the protected zone, the city’s standard juvenile curfew of midnight to 6 a.m. applies.
The curfew was implemented last year after an officer-involved mass shooting left one person dead and 11 others injured and several other shootings involving juveniles happened in the tourist district.
Golf cart laws have changed
Golf carts are a popular way to get around the Grand Strand. However, there are several laws that you should know before driving one during your vacation.
A new state law passed last year requires children under the age of 12 to wear seat belts in golf carts on public roads and highways, regardless of the municipality.
In addition, drivers in South Carolina must be over the age of 16 to operate a golf cart, which must be registered with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles and display a permit decal.
Golf carts are allowed on secondary highways and roads with speeds below 35 mph, though carts can cross streets with greater speed limits at intersections. Also, vehicles only can be driven within 4 miles of the registered address and use on public roads are from sunrise and sunset, which means between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. normally, and 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. during daylight saving time.
In North Myrtle Beach, golf carts can be driven from sunrise to sunset.
And make sure you are driving on a designated golf cart path, if not you could get a ticket.
Yes, Shibumi shades are allowed
While most beaches in Horry County ban anything other than a beach umbrella for shade during the on-season, tents are allowed during spring break season.
Myrtle Beach allows shading devices that measure less than 12 feet by 12 feet through Memorial Day. That includes Shibumi Shades. After that, which is considered peak season, only umbrellas are allowed through Labor Day.
Shibumi Shades, which span 10 to 15 feet and fly overhead with two poles on either side, come in two sizes, according to the company’s website. The shades are made in North Carolina, but they haven’t been welcomed on all South Carolina beaches.
Horry County bans all shading devices, except for those designed for infants and small children, on its beaches year round.
Keep your butt covered
While some of those swimsuits may be stylish and offer a lot more tanning potential, along the Grand Strand beaches, keep that backside inside your suit.
Myrtle Beach specifically outlaws thong bathing suits from city beaches. While North Myrtle Beach, Horry County and Surfside Beach do not mention types of swimsuits, each ban people from exposing their buttocks.
Georgetown County bans nudity on its beaches.
Can your child be alone at the beach?
Neither Horry County nor the city of Myrtle Beach have laws defining a minimum age for children to be unaccompanied at beaches during the day.
Still, there are real dangers swimming alone, especially for children. And while there are no legal age requirements, the law will get involved if an unattended minor gets hurt.
Is anyone sitting here?
Sorry, but there’s no spot saving on the beach. When headed home after a day on the sand, beachgoers must take all their belongings, including beach towels, umbrellas and chairs. In Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and Horry County, anything left unattended on the beach between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. is subject to government collection.
Surfside Beach doesn’t allow unguarded items from 9 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. and Georgetown County’s ban starts at sunset.
Refill those holes
It’s great to build a sand castle or dig for shells, but make sure you fill any holes before you leave the beach. At all beaches in Horry County, it is illegal to dig a hole or trench in the sand and then leave it open.
Nearly every city and county also bars beachgoers from creating a hole deeper than 2 feet, except in North Myrtle Beach where it is 1 foot.
Fireworks not allowed on the beach
Setting off fireworks, especially on the beaches, is illegal within the city limits of municipalities along the Grand Strand.
In the city of Myrtle Beach, fireworks are allowed on private property until 10 p.m.
There are plenty of places to buy those fireworks, but you’re probably better off watching them from other spots, such as Broadway at the Beach or Barefoot Landing. You could face a fine or even jail time if caught setting them off along the sand.
Pets on the beach
It’s become popular for families to bring along their fur baby on vacation, and what better place than the beach.
Just remember that no matter the time of year or day, dogs are only allowed on public beaches in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach if they are on a leash no longer than 7 feet.
The good news is that before May 1, dogs are allowed on the beaches any time of day.
But from May 1 to Labor Day every year, dogs are only allowed on public beaches in Myrtle Beach outside the hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In North Myrtle Beach, the city prohibits dogs on public beaches from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from May 15 through Labor Day. As with Myrtle Beach, after Labor Day until April 30, there aren’t restricted hours for when dogs are welcome on public beaches.
