North Myrtle Beach News & Updates

The Code of Ordinances for the City of North Myrtle Beach parking restrictions and rules for short term rental:

Sec. 21-46. – Parking standards. In addition to all other parking regulations set forth in this Chapter, transient parking shall also be
subject to the following rules and requirements.
A. Where the City allows shoulder parking within street rights-of-way, no car shall be parked
within thirty (30) feet from the edge of the roadway pavement on the approach leg to any intersection.
B. Where the City allows shoulder parking within street rights-of-way, no part of any vehicle shall extend across or overhang the edge of roadway pavement.
C. “Stacked” parking (i.e., vehicles parked end-to-end) is permissible. However, in no event shall any part of the vehicle overhang onto the sidewalk, right-of-way, or extend beyond the
property line.
D. Under no circumstance shall a property owner, managing party or any guest attempt to reserve, inhibit, prevent or discourage parking within the street right-of-way where allowed
by the City.
E. No parking shall be permitted in landscape beds in such a manner as to in any way obstruct a sidewalk, or in a manner which overhangs adjoining private or public property.

North Myrtle Beach City Council passes beach tents ordinance:

BEACH LAWS

SHADING DEVICES ON THE BEACH: Placement of shading devices on the beach from May 15 through September 15: Other than umbrellas with a center pole no greater than 7 feet, 6 inches in height and with a circular shade no greater than 9 feet in diameter, and shading devices no larger than 36 inches high by 36 inches wide and 36 inches deep used to provide shade to persons 18 months of age or younger, all shading devices, including but not limited to tents, tarps, cabanas, pavilions, sports-brellas or devices similar to sports-brellas, or any material mounted on supports are prohibited from being placed on the beach from May 15 through September 15. An umbrella is defined as a collapsible circular shade consisting of a natural or synthetic fabric stretched over hinged ribs radiating from a center pole without grounding lines or ropes.
If you dig a hole on the beach, you must fill it in before leaving the beach.
It is illegal for anyone under age 17 to possess a laser pointer, except within the permanent residence of that minor or under direct supervision of parent, guardian or teacher, who also take full responsibility for its possession and use under the law, and who also bear the full consequences of its misuse. Access the complete laser pointer law here: Laser Pointer Law
Unlawful to Litter (Fines up to $1000).
Alcohol, glass, fireworks prohibited.
No swimming beyond 50 yards or shoulder height.
No parking beyond the posted public beach access rule sign.
All watercraft must operate 100 yards or more off shore.
Illegal to pick or damage sea oats and sand dunes fencing.
May 15-September 15: No dogs allowed on the beach 9am-5pm. Surf only in designated areas 9am-4pm.
Dog Owners: Leash law is in effect at all times; maximum leash length is 7 feet. Pet owners must pick up and properly dispose of pet waste.

Regulations regarding recreational fishing:

(a) Any person who fishes in saltwater within the city shall obtain, as required by the South Carolina Code of Laws, a saltwater fishing license from the state before engaging in saltwater fishing within the city.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to bait, fish for, catch, or otherwise attract sharks in the area of the beach from the shoreline extending seaward for the distance of one (1) mile into the Atlantic Ocean and/or in any saltwater area within the city including but not limited to inlets, marshes, channels and any portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway located within the jurisdictional limits of the city. In addition, no person shall chum for any marine life in the above referenced areas.

In the event a person engaged in saltwater fishing catches a shark or any other marine animal that he or she reasonably knows may pose a danger to persons swimming, wading or otherwise engaged in activities in the above referenced areas, such person shall release the same at the place where the shark or other dangerous marine animal was caught immediately upon recognizing the catch as a shark or other dangerous marine animal.

(c) Lifeguards and public safety officers shall have the authority to require persons engaged in saltwater fishing to cease fishing if circumstances indicate that cessation of fishing is in the interest of public safety. In the event a lifeguard or public safety officer determines that fishing is unsafe, the lifeguard or public safety officer may order any person engaged in saltwater fishing to immediately cease fishing. Any person engaged in saltwater fishing ordered to cease fishing shall immediately comply with the order until such time as the lifeguard or public safety officer indicates that it is safe to resume fishing. The lifeguard or public safety officer may indicate that saltwater fishing may occur at an alternate location during the time that the cease fishing order is effective.

(d) All debris, bait, fish line, hooks, and other fishing equipment or tackle must be contained and not allowed to be placed uncontained upon the beach or any area where saltwater fishing activities occur and shall be removed from the beach or saltwater fishing area immediately after any fishing has been concluded.

(e) Penalty. A person who violates any provision of this section shall be subject to punishment under section 1-6 upon conviction.

GOLF CARTS LAWS [Golf Cart Map]

Golf Carts must display SC permit sticker. Available at any SC DMV office or online at www.scdmvonline.com
Must be driven by a licensed driver
Allowed on secondary roadways only
May cross primary roads [Ocean Blvd, 27th S, Hwy 17 or Sea Mtn Hwy]
Must obey all State traffic laws
Seating capacity cannot be exceeded
Daylight operation only

Emergency Operations Plan

The City of North Myrtle Beach’s Department of Public Safety has taken necessary precautions to make sure that in the event of an emergency such as a hurricane, all public officials and departments are ready to perform the tasks necessary for overall public safety. All departments including the Public Works Department, Fire Department and Police Department work together as a cohesive unit in disastrous situations. These departments have been thoroughly trained on the City of North Myrtle Beach’s Emergency Operations Plan and the interdepartmental communication skills necessary to help the City of North Myrtle Beach return to a state of normalcy.

The City of North Myrtle Beach follows all evacuation notices given by the South Carolina Governor. When mandatory evacuation notices are given, the public (both residents and visitors) must adhere to evacuation guidelines, leave their homes and/or rental properties/hotels immediately and travel to a safe destination until it is safe to return to the North Myrtle Beach area. In the event you are unable to travel inland, North Myrtle Beach area citizens and visitors should go to provided area shelters. Members of the Fire Department, Police Department and Public Works Department will remain at the scene of the disaster until it is no longer safe to do so. Once it is deemed safe to return to the disaster area, necessary public departments will come together as a task force to evaluate the state of our community.

Please tune into WNMI 98.7 FM, Time Warner Channel 21 (north end of North Myrtle Beach) and HTC Channel 4 (south end of North Myrtle Beach) for North Myrtle Beach area disaster updates, evacuation procedures and any other information deemed important in the state of an emergency. For specific information on emergency operations procedures, please contact the South Carolina Emergency Preparedness Division at: www.scemd.org.