§ 5-22. Placing obstructions on the beach restricted.

(a)

General . Through the use of "beach franchise agreements," each governing council shall establish the time and placement of lifeguard stands and umbrella lines creating an established umbrella line.

(b)

Established umbrella lines . Any umbrellas, shading devices, or other obstructions that impede upon the franchise's established umbrella line may be moved landward of the established umbrella line. Any umbrellas, shading devices, or other obstructions cannot obstruct the view of the lifeguard's area of responsibility and may be removed. No umbrellas, shading devices, or other obstructions may be placed within ten (10) feet of any established umbrella line. Umbrellas and shading devices must be placed outside of the established umbrella line and shall remain in-line or landward of the established umbrella line. In the absence of an established umbrella line, umbrellas and shading devices must be placed above the high-tide line.

(c)

Shading devices. Shading devices, other than circular umbrellas with a circular shade no greater than seven feet six inches (7′6″) in diameter, shall not be allowed on the beach. This includes, but is not limited to, tents, tarps, cabanas, pavilions, sports-brellas, or similar devices, or any material mounted on supports, but does not include small pop up or blow up cabanas for infants and very small children. An umbrella is defined as a collapsible circular shade consisting of a natural or synthetic fabric shade stretched over hinged ribs radiating from a central pole without grounding lines or ropes. All shading devices are prohibited from being tied, bound, joined, or connected in any manner, but otherwise shall be secured in such fashion to restrict uncontrolled movement of the device.

Tents or tent like structures may be permitted on the beach as part of weddings or other organized events; provided, however, that such activities are subject to the special event permitting provisions of section 13-34, article III, chapter 13 of the Horry County Code of Ordinances. Consideration of fee waiver or reduction may be given for wedding events, under section 13-34(I).

(d)

Emergency and authorized vehicle access lanes. Governing councils or law enforcement personnel may establish zones, where needed, for the creation of a predetermined emergency and authorized vehicle access lane to extend from the primary dune line seaward. Emergency vehicle access lanes may also be created as needed by governing councils or law enforcement personnel from the lifeguard stand for a width of ten (10) feet to extend landward to the primary dune line. These areas may be increased or decreased by public safety officials based upon circumstances such as geography, weather, emergency operations and the like. All emergency access lanes will be marked by the placement of pylons, signs, flags, cones, trash cans, or similar devices. No umbrellas, shading devices, or other obstructions shall be placed in the area designated as an emergency or authorized vehicle access lane.

(e)

Sand fencing, dune walkovers, public beach access structures, etc. It is prohibited to place, put, lean, chain to, lock to, or connect to, in any fashion, any item to a sand fence. It is prohibited to place, put, chain to, lock to, connect to, or store under any dune walkover or public beach access structure located on the beach.

(f)

Other obstructions . It shall be unlawful to build, erect, place, bury, or create any fence or other obstruction on the public beach, public beach access, or dune walkover so as to obstruct or impede the free use of the public beach or to interfere with or obstruct any maintenance operation of the beach.

(g)

Removal or disposal . It shall be unlawful between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. for any person to leave upon, put, place, or set any equipment on the beach including, but not limited to, shading devices, umbrellas, surfboards, floats, life rafts, volleyball nets, etc. Any umbrellas, shading devices, obstructions, equipment, or other structures remaining on the beach between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. may be removed from the beach by the governing agency. Each public safety department shall determine a process with which to deal with the release and the disposal of abandoned property.

(Ord. No. 27-11, § 1, 5-7-11; Ord. No. 19-14, § 1, 4-15-14; Ord. No. 10-15, § 1, 3-17-15)