Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals in Myrtle Beach: What to Know Before You Book

The Grand Strand is genuinely dog-friendly for most of the year, but Myrtle Beach runs one of the stricter seasonal beach policies on the East Coast. If you're planning a trip with a dog, the calendar matters more than the listing description — booking the wrong week in the wrong town can mean your dog can't actually go on the sand during daylight hours.

Myrtle Beach's Seasonal Dog Rules

From May 1 through Labor Day, the City of Myrtle Beach and Horry County both restrict dogs on the public beach between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM — even on a leash. Outside that window, dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 7 feet, and owners must pick up after them. Once Labor Day passes, the restriction lifts and dogs are welcome on the beach any time of day through the following April 30.

The boardwalk follows its own peak-season rule: dogs are barred except between 5:00 AM and 10:00 AM, leash required.

North Myrtle Beach — a different window

North Myrtle Beach runs its own seasonal ban from May 15 to September 15, with dogs off the beach roughly 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM during that stretch (hours have been reported slightly differently across sources, so confirm locally). A 7-foot leash rule applies year-round.

Surfside Beach — the strictest of the three

Surfside Beach, just south of Myrtle Beach proper, bans dogs from the beach entirely during the peak season — not just during midday hours. If a beach-every-day trip with your dog is the priority, this isn't the town to book in during summer.

Pawleys Island — the off-leash option nearby

About 45 minutes south, Pawleys Island allows dogs off-leash before 9:00 AM and after 7:00 PM, provided they're under voice control. It's the closest thing to an off-leash beach morning or evening walk in the area, and it's worth considering as a home base if that matters to your trip.

Picking the Right Pet-Friendly Rental

"Pet-friendly" listings in the Myrtle Beach market range from condos with a flat $75–$150 cleaning fee per stay to private houses with fenced yards. For a dog that needs off-leash space given the beach restrictions, a fenced-yard house inland of the boardwalk strip is usually a better fit than an oceanfront condo tower, where elevators, lobbies, and shared walkways add friction with a dog in tow.

Always confirm the pet fee and any breed or weight restrictions directly with the host before booking — corporate condo buildings are far more likely to cap weight (commonly 25–40 lbs) than independently owned houses.

Best Times to Visit With a Dog

Late September through April gives you an unrestricted beach, lower rental rates, and thinner crowds — the easiest window for a dog-focused trip. If summer is the only option, plan beach time for early morning or after 5 PM, and treat Pawleys Island as a backup for a freer walk.