Beach rules in Surfside Beach, SC

Surfside Beach visitors may access the public beach from any of the town's 36 access points. [Town source]

Beach equipment may not remain on the public beach from 9:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. [Town source]

The town removes and disposes of equipment left during those hours or left unattended. [Town source]

Surfside Beach limits canopies, tents, and other shading devices to 10 feet by 10 feet. [Town source]

Shading devices must sit behind the lifeguard stand without blocking the lifeguard's view. [Town source]

Beachgoers must move shading devices west when lifeguards move their stands as the tide rises. [Town source]

South Carolina law prohibits destroying beach or dune vegetation seaward of the setback line unless no feasible alternative exists. [State law]

Surfside Beach prohibits dogs and other domestic pets from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. between May 1 and Labor Day. [Town source]

Leashed dogs may use the public beach at all other times. [Town source]

Reptiles and exotic animals may not use the beach or beach access at any time. [Town source]

North Myrtle Beach instead prohibits dogs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. between May 15 and Labor Day. [Adjacent city source]

Surfside Beach prohibits depositing glass, nails, wire, tacks, cans, or other substances likely to injure people or wildlife. [Town ordinance]

People may not consume or possess an open container of alcohol on the public beach. [Town ordinance]

Beach fires and grills are not allowed on the beach at any time. [Town source]