Rules for dogs on the beach in the Myrtle Beach area change after Labor Day. Here’s what to know

The Grand Strand is a great place for you and your dog to see the ocean. When pet travel website BringFido ranked the best East Coast beaches for dogs, Myrtle Beach made the list.

But there are rules about when your dog is welcome on public beaches. Here’s what the law says about when you can bring dogs to the beach in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach

No matter the time of year or hour of day, dogs are only allowed on public beaches in Myrtle Beach if their accompanying human has them under control and on a leash no longer than 7 feet.

It’s also the human’s responsibility to clean after their dog — so don’t forget the doggy bags if you take your canine friend to see the water.

Except for law enforcement K-9s and assistance animals, dogs generally aren’t allowed on public beaches during peak times.

According to Myrtle Beach’s Code of Ordinances, from May 1 to Labor Day every year, dogs are only allowed on public beaches outside the hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you want to hit the beach with your pooch in the summer months, plan a visit for earlier in the morning or later in the evening.

After Labor Day, the city’s code is more relaxed about dogs at the beach until May rolls around again. Leash and animal waste rules still apply, but dogs are welcome on public beaches anytime of day.

North Myrtle Beach

On public beaches, the city of North Myrtle Beach also requires dogs be on a leash that’s 7 feet or shorter and stipulates that the person accompanying a dog must have the animal under control and clean up the dog’s waste.

But the rules about when non-service dogs can be on public beaches are slightly different.

From May 15 through Labor Day, the North Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances prohibits dogs on public beaches from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As with Myrtle Beach, after Labor Day until April 30, there aren’t restricted hours for when dogs are welcome on public beaches.

Here are 6 of the best dog friendly Myrtle Beach restaurants to get your pup’s tail wagging