Horry County Laws

State Laws

1. Seat belts must be worn at all times in a moving vehicle.
2. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal. Penalties include a fine of more than $200 and loss of driving license both in South Carolina and your home state.
3. It is unlawful for any person under the age of 21 to buy, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages.
4. Open containers of beer, wine or liquor are prohibited in vehicles or any public place including streets, sidewalks, and beach areas.
5. Vehicle headlights must be on if you are operating your windshield wipers due to rain or poor road conditions.
6. Motorcyclists are required to use headlights at all times.
7. All children in a moving vehicle under the age of six years old must be restrained at all times by means appropriate for the child’s age and seating location according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
8. Right turns may be made on a red light throughout the state, except where a sign denotes "No Right on Red." Remember, you must stop before turning and give way to traffic already in the intersection.
9. It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate any motor vehicle on the beach or within public marsh areas.
10. Blatantly excessive revving and acceleration is a violation of the county's noise ordinance.
11. It is illegal to build a fire or use a propane-fired grill or other cooker on the beach.
12. Fireworks Discharging of fireworks is illegal within the city limits of municipalities along the Grand Strand. All establishments that sell fireworks within Horry County are required to post in a conspicuous location rules and regulations regarding fireworks.
13. Swimming is not permitted beyond 50 yards from the beach or over shoulder depth, unless otherwise stated by the lifeguard.
14. Jumping or diving from piers is prohibited.
15. Private property owners may tow vehicles from their property at the vehicle owner's expense.
    

Motorcycle Laws

1. DOT-Approved Helmets are required by law for riders and passengers under age 21.
2. State Funded Rider Education is not available, but private courses are.
3. Eye Protection is required by law for riders and passengers under age 21 unless equipped with windscreen.
4. Daytime and nighttime use of Headlight required by law. Modulating headlights are permitted.
5. Passenger Seat and Footrests are required if carrying a passenger.
6. Passenger Age Restrictions: None
7. Helmet Speakers Restrictions: None
8. Mirrors are required by law on both the left and right side.
9. Radar Detectors: No restriction

Cruising Myrtle Beach

Cruising is regulated by the Myrtle Beach Police Department between 3rd Ave. S. and 21st Ave. N. on Ocean Boulevard between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. from March 1 to October 1st.

Animal Laws North Myrtle Beach

Dogs in public must be on a leash at all times. No dogs are allowed on the beach between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from May 15 through September 15.

Myrtle Beach

Dogs in public must be on a leash at all times. No animals are allowed on the beach or Ocean Boulevard between 21st Ave. N. to 13th Ave. S. of Myrtle Beach during any time of the year. No dogs are allowed on the beach between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from May 15 through September 15.
Horses are not allowed on the beach within city limits.

Surfside Beach

Dogs are not allowed on the beach at any time from May 15 through September 15. Riding horses on the beach is prohibited.

Littering

Littering is illegal. Offenders may be required by law to assist officials in cleaning up the litter. The driver will be held responsible for the improper disposal of the litter, regardless of who throws the litter. All glass containers are prohibited on the beach.

Sea Oats

 It is illegal to cut, break or otherwise destroy sea oat plants, beach grass, and sand fencing.

Boating/Surfing North Myrtle Beach

Motorized watercraft may not be launched from the beach between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from May 15 through September 15. Jet skis, catamarans, sailboats or other watercraft may not operate within 100 yards of the shoreline or within 50 yards of any swimmer. Surfing is not allowed between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. from May 15 to September 15, except in these designated areas: Cherry Grove Pier, 13th Ave. S., 28th Ave. S. 38th Ave. S. and 6th Ave. N.

Myrtle Beach

Boats may not be piloted inside the area 50 yards eastward from the high tide mark along the public beach. Jet skis may not be operated within 100 yards of the shore from April 15 through September 15.

Surfing

Surfing is restricted to certain areas from April 16 through September 15. During those dates between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., surfing is allowed only in these areas: 39th Ave. N. to 47th Ave. N.; 82nd Ave. N. to the north city limits; 62nd Ave. N. to 68th Ave. N.; and south side of 8th Ave. N. to the north end of the public boardwalk (but this particular area may be used only from October 1 through April 15).

Surfside Beach

Access to the beach with a boat is limited to the designated ramp at 3rd Ave. S. Jet skis may be launched at 4th Ave. S. and must remain 400 feet from the shore and 300 feet from the pier. No watercraft may be transported to the water by vehicle.

Surfing is not allowed between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. in Surfside Beach except in an area beginning 270 feet south of 12th Ave. N. and extending northward to 14th Ave. N. Surfing is allowed during summer between 6th Ave. S. & 9 th Ave. S.
Swimming Swimming is not permitted beyond 50 yards from the beach or over shoulder depth, unless otherwise stated by the lifeguard. Jumping or diving from piers is prohibited.

Only canvas rafts may be used in the ocean. Rafts must be equipped with safety ropes.

Swimwear

Swimwear is subject to city ordinances in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach. It is illegal for anyone to wear a thong bathing suit. Violators will be fined.