§ 5-8. Sailboat storage regulations.

(a)

It shall be unlawful to leave any sailboat on the public beach after sunset and before sunrise each day except as provided herein:

(1)

Sailboats may be left overnight on the public beach provided the sailboat mast is lowered or all rigging is secured so that it will not make noise when blown by the wind.

(2)

Any sailboat on the public beach shall be positioned so that it does not restrict access by the public to the beach from any dune walkover or street end or obstruct passage by individuals or emergency vehicles moving along the beach.

(3)

When positioning or moving a sailboat, care must be taken to avoid any damage to the dune system. It shall be unlawful to place a sailboat on a dune or move a sailboat over a dune under any circumstances.

(4)

Sailboats left on the beach overnight must display on the starboard stern a beach permit decal issued by the city police department. Decals will be valid for the calendar year in which they are issued and shall be issued at no cost to the registrant. They may be obtained from any member of the Myrtle Beach Police Department Beach Patrol. To obtain a decal the applicant must provide the following information on a form provided by the police department:

a.

Name and address of the owner.

b.

Name and address of the applicant if not the owner.

c.

Day and evening telephone numbers where owner may be contacted.

d.

Description of the sailboat to include registration or title information.

e.

If not a resident of Horry County, the local address and telephone number at which the applicant may be reached and the date on which the applicant will be leaving the local area.

(b)

It shall be unlawful to store a sailboat on private property unless the rigging is secured to prevent the load and annoying noises which frequently occur when the wind blows through the rigging from being heard on any other private property.

(c)

Sailboats which are left on the beach in violation of the provisions of subsection (a) above for a period in excess of seven consecutive days may be removed by order of the chief of police. After being removed such sailboat shall be kept in storage for no less than 90 days during which time every reasonable effort will be made by the chief of police to identify the owner of the sailboat and provide notice to the owner that the sailboat has been removed and impounded. Such notice shall include the fact that the owner may reclaim the sailboat by satisfying any fine which may be due for violating the provisions of this section and by paying the cost of removal and storage, if the sailboat's owner has not been identified by other means within 30 days of impoundment, the chief of police shall cause a notice to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Horry County that the sailboat has been impounded and may be reclaimed as provided above. An impounded sailboat which has not been claimed by the rightful owner after 90 days may be sold and any proceeds of the sale remaining after the expenses of the sale, the costs of removal, storage and publication of notice have been paid shall be transferred to the general fund of the city.

(Ord. No. 2011-27, 5-24-11)