Beach Rules Do’s and Don’ts Across the Charleston Coast

• Isle of Palms requires a permits for gatherings of 50 people or more on public property, including the beach or beach accesses. Please submit an application here if you are planning a larger gathering: large gathering form.
• Do not litter. Please take trash to the garbage and recycling containers found on each beach access path.
• The use of single-use plastic bags, plastic straws, polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam) coolers, cups and food containers and balloons is prohibited on the beach. Residents and visitors are encouraged to use reusable, recyclable and compostable products when enjoying the Isle of Palms beach.
• Smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes or other smoking devices used for the purpose of inhaling and exhaling smoke, such as vaping devices, is prohibited on the Isle of Palms beach and beach access paths.
• Motorized vehicles, including golf carts, are not allowed on the beach.
• Overnight storage of beach equipment, such as tents, chairs, coolers, toys, etc., is prohibited. Personal property left unattended on the beach after sunset may be removed and disposed of.
• Sea turtles are an endangered species. Do not interfere with them in any way.
• Fill holes dug in sand before you leave the beach. Large holes pose a threat to sea turtles and humans. Sea turtles do not have the ability to back up or the strength to climb out of holes without help. They often die if they fall into one head first.
• Jet Skis and motorboats may not be operated in designated swimming areas.
• Glass bottles and alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the beach.
• No overnight sleeping on the beach.
• Sand dunes are fragile. Please use the designated beach access paths to help us protect our dunes.
• Fireworks and open fires are strictly prohibited.
• Commercial business is prohibited on the beach.

• Dogs must be on a leash, and owners must clean up after their pets. There are dog bag receptacles at most of the public beach access paths. Dogs are only allowed to be off-leash April 1 through September 14, between 5am and 9am, and from September 15 through March 31, between 4pm and 10am.
• Find more information here

Municipal Parking Lots on Pavilion Drive

• City lots are operational between 8am and 8pm. Paid parking is enforced between March 1 and October 31.
• The City maintains two parking lots close to Front Beach on Pavilion Drive. One lot offers handicapped parking and season-long parking for those with a decal. Seasonal parking passes are $60 and are available for purchase at the Public Safety Building, located on 30 J C Long Boulevard.
• Municipal Parking Lots are managed by automated parking kiosks. Parking tickets are available for purchase at the automated parking kiosks inside the parking lot. The daily rate is $10 Monday through Friday and $15 Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. After 4pm, visitors may pay an hourly rate of $2.00.
• Residents with properly credentialed vehicles can park in Municipal Lots any time, free of charge. A properly credentialed vehicle is one that has a City issued Resident Parking Permit or a Wild Dunes Resident decal.
• The ticket must be prominently displayed on the dash before leaving the parking lot. Failure to do so will result in a $50.00 parking violation. Parking in violation of any regulation related to paid parking spaces, parking pay stations or kiosks along the public streets or in the public parking lots will result in a $50.00 fine.

Front Beach On-Street Parking

• On-street paid stations are operational between 8am and 8pm. Paid parking is enforced between March 1 and October 31.
• Visitors will find metered parking on Ocean Boulevard near Front Beach between 10th and 14th Avenues. Park in any open space, and locate the pay station (kiosk) closest to you. Choose and purchase the appropriate amount of time, and then place the receipt on the dashboard of the vehicle. The hourly rate is $2.50.

Front Beach On-Street Parking

• On-street paid stations are operational between 8am and 8pm. Paid parking is enforced between March 1 and October 31.
• Visitors will find metered parking on Ocean Boulevard near Front Beach between 10th and 14th Avenues. Park in any open space, and locate the pay station (kiosk) closest to you. Choose and purchase the appropriate amount of time, and then place the receipt on the dashboard of the vehicle. The hourly rate is $2.50.

Charleston County Park on 14th Avenue

• Click here to view Park hours and fees.

Public Road Right-of-Ways

• The City regulates parking along the public rights-of-way between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Learn more about Beach Parking.
• Visitors can park their vehicles on any road right-of-way within the Beach Parking District, unless it has been designated with a sign as “no parking.” Be mindful that all four wheels must be off the road and that no beach access paths can be blocked.
• Vehicles parked on the ocean side of Palm Boulevard between 21st and 40th Avenue must be at least 4 feet off the pavement and must park at an angle in the marked spaces on the landside. Please do not block driveways or mailboxes, and be respectful of landscaping.

• Strong rip currents are common. Swim with caution. Charleston County Parks and Recreation provides lifeguards at Beachwalker County Park.
• No wading/swimming in Captain Sam’s Inlet (western end of the island).
• No glass, metal shovels, plastic carryout bags, plastic straws, Styrofoam, balloons, or drones allowed.
• Stay off the dunes and use public walkovers.
• No overnight storage of beach equipment (tents, chairs, toys, etc.).
• No open fires or fireworks are allowed at any time except ones permitted by the Town. Fireworks are subject to confiscation.
• No littering. Use waste receptacles at beach accesses.
• No vehicles allowed on the beach except emergency and authorized vehicles.
• Public nudity is prohibited.
• No sleeping on beaches after dark.
• Launching, retrieving, or beaching of motorized vessels (including jet skis) is prohibited, except for authorized vessels.
• Bikes are allowed on the beach but must be walked across boardwalks. Reckless operation is prohibited. Bikes must be stored overnight in an appropriate storage location where the bikes cannot be visible from the street or adjoining property.
• Never approach sea turtles, hatchlings, or their nests. Sea turtles are an endangered species. Do not interfere with them in any way.
• May through October – all outdoor lighting visible from the beachfront should be turned off from 9 p.m. to dawn to protect nesting sea turtles. Hatchling turtles are disorientated by artificial light. Fill in holes dug in the sand before you leave the beach. If you see any adult sea turtles or hatchings, call 843-768-9166 to report your sighting.
• Sand Hole Ordinance: the use of metal shovels to change the contour of the beach is prohibited. Plastic shovels are allowed but can be no longer than 14” in length.
• Commercial business is prohibited on the beach except under license from the Town.
• Fishing – A saltwater fishing license is required for all recreational fishing. Licenses can be obtained at Seacoast Sports and Outfitters (843-768-8486), Bohicket Marina (843-768-1280), or online at the Department of Natural Resources website 843-762-5000

• Pets must be leashed at all times when they are outside unless they are in an enclosed area (pen, fence, etc.). The only exception to this rule is on the beach where there is a designated year-round dog off leash area and seasonal leash restrictions for the remainder of the beach. Leash ordinances are enforced by Beach Patrol and/or Town Code Enforcement officers who are authorized to ticket offenders including fines up to $465.
• Critical Habitat Area: Dogs are prohibited year-round in critical habitat areas located on each end of the island. (View map)
• Dog Use Area: Between the eastern boundary of the Beach Club and the Ocean Course Clubhouse allows dogs off leash under control year-round from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pets must be leashed in this area from 7 pm to 7am. Electronic leashes are prohibited. Owners must remain with their pet, have the pet under control, and have in their possession a leash in the event that there is a need to leash their pet, or if requested by other beachgoers or by Beach Patrol.
• Remainder of the Beach (Seasonal): March 16 – October 31 – Pets must be leashed at all times. November 1 – March 15 – Pets are allowed to be off leash from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. everywhere on the beach except in the critical habitat area. Pets must be leashed from 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. Owners must remain with their pet, have the pet under control, and have in their possession a leash in the event that there is a need to leash their pet, or if requested by other beachgoers or by Beach Patrol. Electronic leashes are prohibited.

Standard Vehicles

• Gold pass members park for free year-round
• January & February: $5
• March & April: $10
• May-Labor Day: $15 Monday-Friday, $20 Saturday-Sunday and holidays
• September & October: $10
• November & December: $5

Other Vehicles

• RV/Campers: $40 daily parking
• Buses/Large Vehicles: $75
• Walk-Ins/Bicyclists: free admission
• School Groups: Please call 843-795-4386

The following actions are prohibited on the beach:

• Walking on any portion of the primary frontal sand dune (other than designated SIPOA or private access points)
• Driving or operating any motor vehicle on the beach, except as authorized by the town
• Harming, harassing, or disturbing any loggerhead turtle or endangered/threatened bird species, including their eggs and nests
• Swimming in Captain Sams Inlet during the period of two hours before or two hours after low tide, or any time when dolphins are present in the inlet
• Failing to pick up and dispose animal waste
• Leaving trash, debris or refuse on the beach
• Negligent operation of any vessel or watercraft, including while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Launching or retrieving a motorized vessel of any kind
• Overnight storage of personal beach equipment and supplies
• Building or maintaining a fire or open flame (unless approved by SIPOA above the high-water mark)
• Using any grill, cooker or heating device heated by fire
• Igniting or discharging fireworks
• Using any type of glass container
• Engaging in commercial activities (including solicitation)
• Chumming” on or within 600 feet of the beach.

Pet owners must observe the following requirements:
Restricted Area (Red):

• The restricted area begins at a line extending from Boardwalk #1 (Community Center Boardwalk) to the Atlantic Ocean and continues in a northeasterly direction to Captain Sams Inlet.
• Within the restricted area, no pets shall be allowed at any time, whether on or off a leash.

Limited Restriction Area (Yellow):

• The limited restriction area begins approximately 300 yards northwest of a line extending from Boardwalk #9 (Pelican Watch Boardwalk) to the Edisto River and continues in a northwesterly direction to Privateer Creek.
• Within the limited restriction area, pets must be on a leash at all times.

General Beach Area (Green):
In all other areas of the beach, the following seasonal rules apply:

• Peak Season (April 1 – September 30): Pets must be on a leash between the hours of 10am and 5pm. At all other times, pets may be off a leash, provided they remain effectively controlled while on the beach.
• Off-Peak Season (October 1 – March 31): Pets may be off a leash at all times, provided they remain effectively controlled while on the beach.
• When a pet is required to be on a leash, it must be restrained using a physical restraint made of cord, rope, strap, chain or other material effective for restraining the type and size of animal to which it is attached. In addition, the physical restraint must be no more than sixteen (16) feet in length, secured to the animal’s collar or harness, and continuously held by a competent person physically capable of restraining the animal. Animals under voice control, or under control of remotely operated devices (such as electronic collars), are considered to be “off leash.”
• When an animal is allowed to be off leash, it must be effectively controlled by a competent person from: (a) entering any area on or adjacent to the beach in which a pet is prohibited; (b) destroying or damaging any property; (c) attacking or threatening to attack any person or any other animal or pet in any manner; or (d) being a nuisance to other beach goers.

• There is No Beach Parking on Seabrook Island Roads or in private Villa parking areas. Please use designated beach access parking only.
• The Property Owners’ pool and adjacent parking area on Oyster Catcher Court are for Property Owners and their accompanied guests only. Use of the parking lot is restricted to vehicles with Property Owner barcodes or Property Owner passes.
• Recreational vehicles, boats, and campers must be stored in spaces available at the Seabrook Island Club Maintenance area.
• Parking at the Boardwalk 1 area is reserved for persons with disabilities, and limited to vehicles with government-issued “Disabled License Plates or Placards.” To access the area, go to the Security gate to obtain the gate code and SIPOA handicap placard.
• The Beach Parking Map shows all of the beach parking spaces on the island including paved spaces, grass spaces, owner-only spaces, LSV spaces, handicap spaces, and even bike spaces. In total, there are 241 motor vehicle spaces on the island and each one can be viewed using this interactive map.

• All residents and visitors enter the ocean at their own risk. No lifeguards are on duty at any time.
• Properly anchored tents and umbrellas are permitted. Tents must be 10 feet by 10 feet or smaller.
• All beach activity is prohibited after 11 PM.
• No plastic, polystyrene, or glass containers are allowed on the beach at any time.
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on all streets, boardwalks and beaches.
• No motorized vehicles are allowed on beach paths or beaches. This includes golf carts and low speed vehicles.
• Sailboarders, kite surfers, jet skis and motorboats may not operate outside of designated areas. View the Watercraft Ordinance (PDF).
• All commercial activity is prohibited on the beach (including vendors, photography and filming).
• No activity, inclusive of loose dogs, is allowed in the dunes or near turtle nesting areas.
• No fireworks are allowed at any time.

• All dogs must have a license from Town Hall (including residents, visitors and day-trippers) and comply with the Animal and Fowl Ordinance. Get a license here.
• All trash and dog droppings must be taken with you when you leave the beach. Dog poo bags, recycle bins and trash cans are at the end of each beach path.

• Attendees must park in designated right of way areas, have all tires off of the pavement and may not block the street or beach paths.

• Smoking is not allowed on the beach (sand), beach accesses, walkovers, or paid beach access parking areas.
• No possession or consumption of alcohol allowed on the beach.
• No glass is allowed on the beach.
• No plastic bags, balloons, or styrofoam are allowed on the beach
• No open fires or fireworks are allowed at any time.
• No littering. Please take trash to containers found at each beach access point.
• Surfing without a leash is prohibited. From May 15 to September 15, surfing is prohibited between 10am to 6pm from 2nd Street East to 3rd Street West, known as the swimming zone. From September 16 to May 14, surfing is allowed in any area. Surfing is always prohibited 200′ from the fishing pier.
• Sand dunes are fragile and protected. Stay off the dunes and use public walkovers, located at every block, to access the beach.
• Personal items left on the beach after sunset, such as tents, canopies, coolers, volleyball nets, and umbrellas, are considered abandoned and the City has the right to take possession and dispose of them.
• Watercraft can be stowed on the beachfront for 12 hours without a permit. They must not be pulled into the dunes or sand fences. All watercraft must be removed from the beach if high winds or tides are expected. Permits to stow watercraft can be obtained at Public Safety: 843-588-2433
• Strong rip currents are common, so swim with caution. Charleston County Parks and Recreation provides lifeguards at the West End County Park and from 2nd Street East to 3rd Street West beachfront from May through Labor Day.
• Camping is prohibited within The City of Folly Beach’s limits/jurisdiction, including on the beach.
• Sea turtles are an endangered species. Do not interfere with them in any way. From May 1st to October 31st, no lights that illuminate the front beach are allowed between 10 pm and dawn. Fill any holes dug in sand before you leave the beach. If you see any adult sea turtles or hatchings call 843-588-2433 to report your sighting.

• Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10 am to 6 pm from May 1st to Sept. 30th. At all other times they must be on a leash.
• Dogs are prohibited on the pier at all times.

• No parking on the roadway. All 4 tires must be off the road. If white lines are painted, tires must be outside them.
• No parking against traffic. All vehicles must park with the flow of traffic.
• No parking in a crosswalk.
• No parking within 20 feet of an intersection.
• No parking on sidewalks.
• No blocking public or private driveways.
• No parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
• No stopping, standing, or parking in a roadway.
• No diagonal parking unless posted. All parking must be parallel to the roadway.
• No parking on dunes or revetments.
• No parking in ADA accessible parking spaces unless visible ADA license tag or visible permit on vehicle.
• No parking on yellow curbs or within areas marked by yellow or red street lines.
• No parking behind yellow lines.