Horry County Beach Tent & Umbrella Rules
Horry County governs the beach from North Myrtle Beach town limit south to the Dunes Club in Myrtle Beach, excluding the town of Briarcliffe Acres. South of Springmade Pier to the town limits of Surfside Beach, including Myrtle Beach State Park. South of the town limit of Surfside Beach to the Georgetown County line.
- Tents, cabanas Shibumis, tarps and similar shade devises are prohibited year-round.
- Small pop-up tents for babies and children no larger than 4 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet are permitted.
- Circular umbrellas with a shade no greater than 7 feet 6 inches in diameter are permitted.
- Beach umbrellas cannot be placed within 10 feet of the umbrella line established by the beach franchise holders.
- Umbrellas must not impede the views of lifeguards in any way.
- Shading devices must be secured, but may not be tied together or connected to each other in any manner.
- Shades must be cleared from the beach and any items left on the beach between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. will be removed.
North Myrtle Beach Umbrella Rules
- The city of North Myrtle Beach umbrella rules dictate that during the summer season, which runs May 15th to Labor Day, umbrellas are the only shade allowed, with the exception of baby tents.
- After Labor Day, the North Myrtle Beach umbrella rules relax and permit a variety of shade devices.
- Tents, tarps, cabanas, pavilions and similar items (including a Shibumi) are banned from North Myrtle Beach beaches during peak tourist season.
- During the summer season, umbrellas are the only shade devices allowed but they must have a center pole no taller than 7 feet 6 inches and a diameter no wider than 9 feet.
- The only exception to umbrellas are infant tents, which must be 31 inches high by 31.5 inches wide by 38 inches deep or smaller, and are permitted to shade children 18 months or younger.
- No shading devices are allowed within the emergency vehicle access lane, which is about 20 to 25 feet seaward of the dune line. Look for city trash cans, pylons, or flags marking this area when setting up your spot for the day.
- Remember that any items—umbrellas, towels, or toys—must be cleared from the beach between the hours of 7 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Atlantic Beach Tent & Umbrella Rules
- Tents and small shade canopies less than 100 sq. ft. (10 by 10) are permitted on the beaches year-round provided they are properly secured, attended and not left on the beach overnight.
Myrtle Beach Tent & Umbrella Rules
- The City of Myrtle Beach ban the use of large beach canopies, tents and similar non-umbrella devices from Memorial Day until Labor Day (summer season).
- During the summer season, only circular umbrellas with a maximum diameter of 7 feet 6 inches are allowed, with the exception of infant tents.
- Infant tents or canopies are allowed year-round, but they must be no larger than 4 feet wide by 3 feet tall by 3 feet deep.
- Umbrellas must be placed in line with or behind the established umbrella line so as not to impede shoreline visibility.
- Myrtle Beach allows shade tents, canopies and other non-umbrella devices to be used on its beaches during the off-season from Labor Day to Memorial Day.
- During the off seaon, shades must be kept to a maximum size of 12 feet by 12 feet and placed in line or behind the umbrella line.
Surfside Beach Rules
- The town of Surfside Beach allows tents and canopies year-round with a few restrictions.
- Tents and canopies must be no larger than 10 feet by 10 feet, and umbrellas must be no taller than 7 feet 6 inches with a diameter no greater than 9 feet.
- No item, including a beach umbrella or shading device, may be placed on the beach if it interferes with the lifeguards’ line of sight, and no shades or personal items may be placed in front of lifeguard stands.
- All shading devices must be moved and relocated when lifeguard stands are adjusted for the rising tide.
- At least 10 feet must be left between tents and no beach paraphernalia is allowed in between.
- Use straight tie-downs to secure tents.
- A single row of tents from Melody Lane to 17th Avenue North is allowed.
- Adhere to clearance guidelines determined by the city’s rules for emergency access locations ensuring emergency apparatus can get through.
- Emergency access locations require additional clearance guidelines to be followed and emergency lanes must be kept clear.
- No shades, tents, or other items may be left on the beach overnight (9:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.) or left unattended during other hours.