NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the City’s main visitor season. North Myrtle Beach quickly grows from a city with a permanent population of approximately 20,000 people to one with a daily population of more than 100,000.
Memorial Day Weekend coincides with the Annual Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival. During this time, the Grand Strand area, including the City of North Myrtle Beach, welcomes thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts. With an increased number of motorcycles on the roads, there are more safety challenges for motorcyclists and drivers.
Whether driving a car or riding a motorcycle, we encourage everyone to exercise caution and extend courtesy. Continually check the rear and sides as you drive down the road.
There will be an increased presence of Public Safety Officers in North Myrtle Beach during Memorial Day Weekend, including supplemental officers from agencies around the state, including SLED and Highway Patrol. They are here for the benefit of all residents and visitors, and their key focus in North Myrtle Beach is traffic management and safety. The goal is to keep traffic flowing so that gridlock does not occur. When traffic gridlock occurs, frustrations build, and people anger more easily.
While Law Enforcement works to keep traffic moving, everyone must practice patience. Drivers should anticipate and prepare for longer travel times over Memorial Day Weekend.
Traffic Chute | The North Myrtle Beach Public Works Department will be placing barricades on Friday, May 24 from 37th Avenue South to 25th Avenue South. Any drivers attending the Bike Event will need to stay in the designated lane. The barricades will be removed on Monday, May 27.
Excessive Noise | Excessive noise is a key complaint during major holiday weekends. Quiet hours are 11 PM through 7 AM.
The City’s Noise Ordinance states, “It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be continued any noise disturbance within the limits of the City."
Those who violate the Noise Ordinance can be cited and/or arrested with a fine of up to $1,000.
Please be considerate of others.
Common Motorcycle Violations | We encourage drivers to watch out for motorcycles on our roads, and we encourage motorcyclists to avoid doing the following things, which are illegal and can endanger others on the road:
- Speeding
- Burnouts
- Weaving between cars
- "Holding” intersections to allow a group to continue through without stopping for a red light or stop sign.
Those who do these things are subject to a citation and/or arrest with a fine of up to $1,000.
Please exercise good judgment and respect others.
Prevent Motorcycle Theft | Motorcycle thefts typically increase during Memorial Day Weekend. Expensive, custom, and show bikes are popular with thieves. Here are some theft prevention tips:
- Avoid parking motorcycles in poorly lit areas.
- Do not leave leathers, cameras, GPS, helmets, or other valuables on your bike.
- Lock and secure your motorcycle. Thieves can easily overcome factory-installed ignition locks; therefore, we recommend using high-quality disk locks, wheel locks, and heavy-duty cable or chain locks.
North Myrtle Beach Practices "Community Policing" | Our Law Enforcement personnel practice "community policing", which means they work to be accessible and available to interact with residents and visitors. Their goal is to establish mutual trust and respect.
They first strive to educate individuals about the City’s laws. If that approach does not work, they may issue warnings. If those approaches fail, they will cite or arrest. Of course, if flagrant and/or serious violations of law occur, Law Enforcement will react quickly and decisively.
Visitor or resident, if you have questions about what you can and cannot do in North Myrtle Beach, feel free to approach any of our Police Officers. They are here to assist all in having a safe and enjoyable time.
Grilling | To prevent unfortunate incidents caused by improper grilling, please follow the below guidelines/laws:
- Fires are NOT allowed on the beach.
- Do not operate charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices on balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction.
- Do not cook under tents unless the tent exhibits an affixed NFPA 701 flame-resistance rating.
- Tents and membrane structures more than 400 square feet require a permit.
Beach Laws | To provide a family-friendly environment for all to enjoy, and to protect and keep clean, there are Beach Laws in place. Such laws include:
- If you dig a hole on the beach, you must fill it in before leaving the beach.
- It is unlawful to litter (fines up to $1000).
- No alcohol, fireworks, or glass containers.
- Do not damage sea oats and sea fencing; stay off the dunes.
- Swim within 50 yards of shore - Max depth is shoulder height.
- Shading devices other than umbrellas are prohibited from being placed on the beach from May 15 through Labor Day. Prohibited devices include, any material mounted on supports, cabanas, pavilions, sport-brellas or similar devices, tarps, and tents.
- E-Bikes and bicycles are not permitted on the beach from May 15 through Labor Day from 10 AM to 4 PM.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to drive any motor vehicle, of any nature or description, upon the public beach within the City. This prohibition shall not apply to governmental, emergency, or other authorized vehicles. This section in no way prohibits rights conferred upon the handicapped in accordance with South Carolina Code Annotated, Section 43-33-25 (1976 as amended).
- For a complete list of Beach Laws, click here.
Single-Use Plastics on the Beach | While it is not required, we urge individuals to avoid bringing single-use plastic bags, straws, cups, and any other single-use plastic products on to the beach. If you must bring them, please take them with you when leaving the beach. This helps protect marine life and wildlife, and keeps our beach, ocean, and marshes clean.
Useful Phone Numbers | Whether you have a question or there is an emergency, we are here for you.
- Non-Emergencies Public Safety, Call: (843) 280-5511
- Emergencies, Call: 911
We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend.