Myrtle Beach OKs extension for halting new long-term rentals near ocean

Dusty Rhodes • November 18, 2024

Myrtle Beach City Council on Tuesday approved first reading to extend the temporary moratorium established in the spring that halted converting short-term rentals into long-term ones.


The original ordinance passed first reading on April 9 and second reading on May 14. It imposed a 270-day halt on “acceptance, review and approval of applications to convert multi-family short-term rental properties to multi-family long-term rental properties within an area spanning from the east or seaward side of Ocean Boulevard to Kings Highway, and from Grand Dunes Boulevard to the point where Ocean Boulevard and Kings Highway intersect near the south city limits,” the ordinance reads.

The 270-day halt was set to expire in January, according to the ordinance. The extension adds another 60 days to the moratorium.


The council also approved a motion to declare certain vehicles abandoned or derelict in an effort to improve the appearance of both commercial and residential neighborhoods.


“This report includes vehicles staff tagged as abandoned or derelict. Council’s approval allows these vehicles to be towed from their private property locations to a tow yard where they may be reclaimed by the current owner upon payment of the applicable towing and storage fees,” the motion reads. “If the vehicles are not claimed by the owner within 30 days of the required notice, then the tow company may sell the vehicle and keep the proceeds as compensation.”


All four items on the consent agenda passed, including three grants of $110,262, $84,825 and $300,000.


The $110,262 grant comes from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety and is for continuation of Myrtle Beach police’s Project Safe Neighborhoods program. According to the motion, the funds will be used “to support the full-time NIBIN detective dedicated to the acquisition, correlation, analysis, investigation, and prosecution of gun and gun-related crimes.”


The $84,825 grant comes from the South Carolina Attorney General for the Violence Against Women Act. Those funds will be used “to support the hiring of a Police Victim Advocate dedicated to immediately responding to the safety needs of victims of violent crime. This position will allow Myrtle Beach police to provide, enhance, and expand its direct services to primary and secondary victims.”


The $300,000 grant comes from the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services and will allow Myrtle Beach police to establish a Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program.


“LEAD is a pre-booking diversion program that allows law enforcement that allows law enforcement to redirect low-level offenders to community services, including mental health services and drug rehabilitation,” the motion reads. “MBPD will use this funding for two Health Outreach Coordinators and scholarships for participants.”


Before the meeting, proclamations were also made recognizing former Horry County Police Chief Joe Hill, who retired last month, as well as Horry County Administrator Steve Gosnell, who will retire in December. Gosnell was awarded the Order of the Palmetto in September.


Source: WBTW News 13



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By Dusty Rhodes • November 10, 2025
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By Dusty Rhodes • October 13, 2025
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