Changes to Myrtle Beach Canopy Laws Under Discussion as Officials Consider New Shade Regulations

Changes on the Horizon for Myrtle Beach Canopy Laws

MYRTLE BEACH — The sun’s shining brighter lately around here, particularly when it comes to the ongoing debate about beach canopies. With the breeze kicking up, local officials are getting ready to chit-chat about a topic that’s been a hot-button issue during many a summer here at the coast: wind-driven shading devices like Shibumi Shade and Solbello. So, what’s the scoop on these breezy beauties?

Turning the Tide on Beach Shade Regulations

Here’s the lowdown: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and the unincorporated areas of Horry County have had a longstanding ban on these drugstore canopies during the peak summer months. Their reasoning? Officials have expressed concerns that allowing these canopies might block the view for first responders and create hazardous conditions on already crowded beaches. After all, come summer, it’s not uncommon for the beach to pack several hundred thousand visitors on busy weekends!

But some local leaders, like Myrtle Beach City Councilwoman Jackie Hatley, are starting to question whether those worries are a bit overblown. Jackie points out, “We shouldn’t close our minds to other solutions. We should keep an open mind.” Sounds reasonable, right?

A Glimpse at Upcoming Discussions

As of next month, Myrtle Beach and Horry County leaders have plans to revisit these beach ordinances, specifically aiming to discuss the rules around those alluring wind-driven shading devices. Currently, Myrtle Beach allows these shades in the offseason, while county regulations don’t permit them at all. However, whispers have surfaced about potentially drafting an ordinance which would allow the usage of awesome products like Shibumi Shade during the offseason—much like what Myrtle Beach already does. If things go well in a trial run, they might even consider allowing them in the summertime! Now, that would be a game-changer.

Summer Regulations Under Review

City spokeswoman Meredith Denari noted that city council plans to review the reasoning for summer shade regulations in an upcoming workshop, scheduled for November. Meanwhile, we’re on the edge of our seats, waiting to see if officials in North Myrtle Beach might also jump on board and make any changes to their rules.

At present, the stance across much of our coastline restricts beachgoers to umbrellas up to 7 to 9 feet in diameter during those bustling summer months, leaving many of us longing for alternatives. However, other popular beaches like Pawleys Island or Hilton Head Island don’t have such strict rules. Why, they happily accommodate wind-driven shade canopies without a fuss!

Making Waves with Safety

Advocates for the Shibumi Shade argue that these canopies can actually enhance safety. Traditional beach umbrellas can turn into dangerous flying missiles when the wind picks up. In 2022, a tragedy struck when a woman was tragically killed by an unsecured umbrella. Dane Barnes, co-founder of Shibumi Shade, made the comparison of his product to “a sheet on a clothesline,” emphasizing that they let air pass through—making them less of a hazard than bulky umbrellas or other shading devices.

The Future of Shady Business?

While many area leaders seem open to taking a fresh look at the sandbox rules, the official stance has remained unchanged for quite some time. Some council members from Horry County’s Public Safety Committee seem a bit hesitant to shift their views, calling for deeper discussions and, of course, insight from local law enforcement.

As we stand here on the beautiful Myrtle Beach shores, we can sense that change might be around the corner. If all goes according to plan, we could be welcoming some new shade to our beloved beaches. Who doesn’t want a little cool coverage while soaking up the sun? We’ll keep you posted as this sunny saga unfolds!