Updated Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The Myrtle Beach City Council approved the following ordinances on September 23, 2008. On December 9, 2008, Council amended the effective date for some ordinances to February 28, 2009, as noted, and further amended the city’s noise ordinance, as noted. Council also set the fines for the administrative infractions at $100. Bike Week

Some of the laws below amend existing ordinances, while others are entirely new. Five took effect immediately, including the Noise Ordinance amendment, 2008-68, which was subsequently amended in 2008-77 to set an at-idle maximum measurement of 89 decibels for all motor vehicles. The remaining ordinances now take effect Saturday, February 28, 2009. Use the links below to view individual ordinances as PDF documents.

Ordinances 2008-57, 2008-58, 2008-59, 2008-60, 2008-77, 2008-69 and 2008-70 are laws of general application and should be read in context of the Chapter, Article and Division that they amend or supplement. The City Code is available for comparison, but note that the new ordinances have not yet been incorporated into the existing on-line code. Ordinance 2008-71 establishes an administrative process to handle infractions, as specified in Ordinances 2008-61, 2008-62, 2008-63, 2008-64, 2008-65, 2008-66 and 2008-67.

2008-57 Amend existing Nuisance law found in Chapter 10, Article II, Nuisances of the Code. The effects of an unpermitted special event, or rally are a public nuisance against public health, public decency, peace and order, public welfare and safety and the public economy and responsible parties to be held financially responsible for public cost that result from their promotion. (effective immediately)

2008-58 Amend existing Special Event law in Sections 19-127, 19-128 and 19-156 of Chapter 19, Article VI, Special Events of the Code. Those events in or adjacent to City limits, permitted or unpermitted, that impose an excessive public resource deployment are unlawful, and responsible parties are to be held financially responsible for public cost that result. (effective immediately)

2008-59 New law amending Chapter 14, Article 1, Section 14-1. No alcohol served between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Business can exempt from 2:00 a. m. to 6:00 a. m. sale prohibition upon showing of policy or practice that addresses among other things underage drinking, over-serving, internal and premises security. (effective February 28, 2009)

2008-60 New Law. Chapter 14, Article 1, Section 14-7. Defrauding a restaurant is a misdemeanor. (effective immediately)

2008-61 New law. Chapter 14, Article X, Sections 14-220. Infraction. Administrative process. Short term rental, payers of accommodation tax, innkeeper or hotel check-in procedures; photo id for check-in; identification of all guests per room, identification of all vehicles; issue parking card. (effective February 28, 2009)

2008-62 New law. Infraction. Chapter 14, Article X, Sections 14-221. Administrative process. No alcohol consumption or open possession in parking areas, lots and garages. Business shall not permit. (effective February 28, 2009)

2008-63 New law. Infraction. Chapter 14, Article X, Sections 14-222. Administrative process. Use of parking lot for non-parking activities a nuisance. No destruction of landscaped areas by chairs, etc. Businesses shall not permit. (effective February 28, 2009)

2008-64 New law. Infraction. Chapter 14, Article X, Sections 14-223 through 14-227. Administrative process. Helmet and protective eyewear required for cycles and mopeds. (effective February 28, 2009)

2008-65 New law. Infraction. Chapter 14, Article X, Sections 14-228 through 14-231. Administrative process. No trailers parked on public streets, or unlicensed private lots. (effective February 28, 2009)

2008-66 New law. Infraction. Chapter 14, Article X, Sections 14-232 through 14-235. Administrative infraction. Convenience store and premises security. (effective February 28, 2009)

2008-67 New law. Infraction. Chapter 14, Article X, Sections 14-236 through 14-239. Administrative process. Minor or Juvenile Curfew: 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. (effective February 28, 2009)

2008-69 Amend existing law in Chapter 14, Article V, Section 14-85, adding section (b) (10). No loitering on commercial lots after hours, or when posted. (effective immediately) The city also has established a Loitering Ordinance Contact Program for commercial property owners.

2008-70 Amend existing law in Chapter 12, Article III, Division 1, by adding Section 12- 102: only 2 motorcycles per public parking space; Chapter 12, Article III, Division 2, Repeal deactivation of meters for bike parking. (effective February 28, 2009)

2008-71 New law to enact Chapter 14, Article X, Sections 14-200 through 14-and/or reserve 14-219. Creation of administrative hearing process for disposition of infractions. (effective February 28, 2009)

2008-77 Amend existing Noise law found in Chapter 14, Article X, Sections 14-240. No loud mufflers; EPA labeling required, or maximum 89 decibels allowed at idle measurement. (effective immediately)