STATE LAWS

Seat belts must be worn at all times in a moving vehicle.

Vehicle headlights must be on if operating windshield wipers due to rain or poor road conditions.

Motorcyclists are required to use headlights at all times.

Children 17 and younger must be restrained at all times in a moving vehicle by means appropriate for the child's age and seating location, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Right turns may be made on a red light, except where a sign denotes "No Right on Red." You must stop before turning and yield right-of-way to traffic already in the intersection.

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 the driver’s home state.

It is unlawful for any person under the age of 21 to buy, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages.

Open containers of beer, wine, or liquor are prohibited in vehicles or any public place including streets, sidewalks, and beach areas.

Store purchases of alcoholic beverages are prohibited from midnight Saturday through midnight Sunday.

Driving on the Beach

It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate a motor vehicle on the beach.

Littering

Littering is illegal. Offenders may be required by law to assist officials in cleaning up the litter. All glass containers are prohibited on the beach.

Fireworks

Possessing or 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.

Cruising

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

Swimming/Sunbathing

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. Swimming within 50 yards of a pier is prohibited. Only canvas/fabric rafts may be used in the ocean. Rafts must be equipped with safety ropes. 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.

Sleeping on the Beach

Sleeping on the beach or at a beach access is not allowed between 9 p.m. and sunrise.

Boating/Surfing

Horry County
It is illegal to use any equipment in a manner that would endanger bathers, swimmers, surfers, or others in the water. Sailboats, motorboats, and Jet skis (or other personal watercraft) must remain at least 400 feet from the shoreline and 500 feet from any fishing pier, with the exception of entering or exiting the ocean. Sailboats, motorboats, and Jet skis may not be launched or retrieved within 50 yards of a lifeguard stand, unless otherwise designated.

Myrtle Beach
Boats and Jet skis (or other personal watercraft) may not be operated within 100 yards of shore April 15-Sept. 15; however, Jet skis may be launched and returned to the beach on a course perpendicular to the beach. Boats and Jet skis may not be launched from the beach or returned to the beach April 15-Sept. 15 in the area from 29th Ave. S. to 31st Ave. N., and from 69th Ave. N. to 77th Ave. N.

Surfing and kayaking are restricted to certain areas April 30 -Sept. 15. During those dates, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., surfing and kayaking are allowed only in these areas: from the terminus of the TA-80 Zone to the south city limits, from 39th Ave. N. to 47th Ave. N., from 62nd Ave. N. to 68th Ave. N., and from 82nd Ave. N. to the northern city limits. The area from the south side of 8th Ave. N. to the north end of the public boardwalk may be used for surfing or kayaking Oct. 1-April 15. Surfing and kayaking are not permitted within 400 feet of any fishing pier. Kayaks launched and returned to the beach on a course perpendicular to the beach for use out of the surf zone are not subject to the previously mentioned time and area restrictions.

North Myrtle Beach
Motorized watercraft may not be launched from the beach from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 15-Sept. 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 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 15-Sept. 15, except in these designated areas: Cherry Grove Pier, 13th Ave. S., 28th Ave. S., 38th Ave. S., and 6th Ave. N. Surfers are required to wear a surfing leash at all times.

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 from May 15th to September 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 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., and in an area beginning 300 feet north of 13th Ave. S. and extending southward into Garden City

Alcohol

Possession or consumption of alcohol is prohibited on the beach.

Glass containers/bottles are not allowed on the beach.

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 the driver’s home state.

It is unlawful for any person under the age of 21 to buy, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages.

Open containers of beer, wine, or liquor are prohibited in vehicles or any public place including streets, sidewalks, and beach areas.

Store purchases of alcoholic beverages are prohibited from midnight Saturday through midnight Sunday.

In Horry and Georgetown counties restaurants and bars may sell alcoholic beverages on Sunday.

In addition, all liquor stores open at 9 a.m. and must close by 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.