Spending spring break in Myrtle Beach? The city has laid down the law. Here’s what to know
In a little more than two months, thousands of spring breakers will make their way to the Myrtle Beach area.
It’s the pre-season wave of vacationers from late February until early April before the official summer tourist season begins. And it’s because of that annual trek of sun-worshipping visitors that the city of Myrtle Beach has laid down the law.
If you’re one of those planning to make your way to the beach this spring, there are a few - well, actually several - laws you should be aware of before you sink your toes in the sand.
Violators of these rules could find themselves facing hundreds of dollars in fines or quite possibly in jail, which is not a good way to end any vacation.
No free beach parking
If you’re planning to park near the beach, you better bring your credit card or cash. The days of free off-season parking in Myrtle Beach are over. The city now charges year-round for parking at its meters and beach access spots.
The city ended its longstanding policy of not charging at meters from March 1 through Oct. 31. Now, those wanting to park downtown will have to pay between $2 and $3 an hour and up to $15 a day.
Beach accesses and street ends cost $3 an hour or $15 all day. The core business district, including 6th to 16th avenues North between Ocean Boulevard and Kings Highway, is $2 an hour with no all-day single rate. For all other secondary streets, the cost is $2 an hour and $10 for all day.
For more information, go to the city’s website.
Mind your speed on Ocean Boulevard
The speed limit along the city’s main drag is now 25 mph for the entire extent of the Boulevard. The previous speed limit for some segments was 35 mph.
The change was made because of various speed-related complaints, according to city officials. You can be sure that means that police will be monitoring the speed during spring break when the Boulevard becomes packed with vehicles.
You’re being too loud
Myrtle Beach has a noise ordinance which prohibits loud and excessive noise. That means you can face a ticket or possible jail if you cause or continue to cause “excessive, unnecessary or unusually loud noise” that annoys or disturbs the comfort of another.
That includes noise created by horns, whistles, radios, vehicles, revving engines or shouting and yelling.
So basically, just keep it down.
Certain swimsuits not permitted on the beach
Leave those thongs at home. And no, we aren’t talking about shoe wear. Myrtle Beach ordinance prohibits the wearing of thong swimsuits on the beach. That also includes G-strings, T-backs and “dental floss” style to be worn in public.
And just in case you think you can get away with covering up your privies with body paint, body dyes, tattoos or liquid latex, that too is not allowed. Just make sure you have adequate coverage of your anatomical areas.
Changing into your swimsuit in public a no-no
And speaking of swimsuits, it’s against the law for someone to undress or put on a bathing suit, change from a bathing suit to normal clothes or from normal clothes to a bathing suit on any public beach, public beach access, street end or any government land adjacent to the beach or in the public waters.
While we’re not sure what “normal clothes” are these days, that also goes for any public bathroom in the city unless you have permission or consent from the owner.
The beach can’t be your bed
Make sure you have a place to stay when you come to the beach as sleeping on the beach or in your vehicle is not permitted.
It’s against the law for a person to sleep on the public beach or public access between the hours of 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.
No celebrating on the beach with fireworks
It may be tempting to celebrate your beach experience with fireworks, but in Myrtle Beach, you could face a $250 fine or more if you’re caught.
It’s illegal to shoot fireworks on any public beach in the city.
Take a seashell, leave the sand
Digging holes deeper than 2 feet and using a metal shovel is not allowed. If you do dig a hole, make sure to fill it in.
Also, leave that sand on the beach. It’s illegal to remove sand from Horry County beaches. You can, however, take seashells, as long as you aren’t collecting them with the plan to sell them without a license.
Make sure there’s no beer in that cooler
There is no alcohol allowed on the beach. That includes possession and the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Those are fighting words
You may want to limit the use of swear words while in Myrtle Beach. It’s against the law to make, utter or direct lewd, obscene or profane language or “fighting” words to another person in public that might provoke violent reactions.
Early birds will get fined
Sorry, early birds, but you can’t set up your beach umbrella too early. You can only place your beach gear after 8 a.m. and must remove all your items off the beach by 7 p.m. daily.
