MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — The millions of tourists who visit South Carolina’s Grand Strand could soon have only one set of beach rules to worry about.
The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reports a committee of local mayors and Horry County Council Chairman Tom Rice has endorsed almost two dozen uniform rules for everything from tents to dogs on the beach.
Rules now vary by municipality in Horry County, causing confusion for visitors along the section of coast that is the heart of South Carolina’s $18 billion tourism industry. An estimated 14 million tourists visit each year.
The rules, endorsed Wednesday, must still be approved individually by the half-dozen municipalities. The mayors hope the rules can take effect this summer.
One of the main issues was beach tents, which have become increasingly popular in recent seasons.
The tents have created problems, as emergency workers have had to weave through the tents on crowded beaches to respond to incidents. There have also been disputes between beachgoers seeking prime spots for their tents.
The proposed new rules regulate where the tents can be placed on the beach. They also may not be set up before 8 a.m. and must be removed by 7 p.m.
Horry County Beach Patrol officer Jack Stewart, a member of the committee that came up with the proposed rules, said he often gets questions from tourists about dogs on the beach.
The proposed new rules also require dogs be on hand-held leashes no longer than 7 feet and bans the pets from the beach between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. from May 1 through Labor Day.
Other rules concern fireworks, sleeping on the beach and fishing from piers.
The committee plans to work with the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association to get the word out. They are also urging visitors be given the rules when they check in or confirm a reservation.
“It would save a lot of headaches for beach services and beach patrol,” said Skeeter Nash, beach advisory committee chairman for Myrtle Beach.
Ocean Lakes Family Campground, where tents are increasingly popular on the beach, sent a newsletter this week to the 110,000 people on its mailing list and included an item about the rules.
“We’ve kind of put them on notice,” said the campground’s Lance Thompson. “We told them a change is possibly coming.”
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