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Planning & Zoning Department

(843) 918-1050

Kenneth May, Director, 843-918-1167
Heidi Soos, Administrative Assistant and CAB Coordinator, 843-918-1081

Planning Division Staff

Zoning Division Staff

  • Charles Rowe, Zoning Administrator, 843-918-1179
  • Matthew Brooks, Chief Code Enforcement Officer, 843-918-1166 – Overall Zoning Compliance 
  • Ron Gary, Code Enforcement Officer, 843-918-1198 – Code Compliance, Encroachments and Abandoned Vehicles on Private Property
  • Jon West, Code Enforcement Officer, 843-918-1052 – Ocean Boulevard and Downtown Code Compliance
OVERVIEW & QUICK LINKS

The Planning & Zoning Department formulates plans, policies, programs and ordinances that provide guidance for the physical, social and economic growth and development for Myrtle Beach.  The department works closely with the Construction Services Department and enforces city laws pertaining to zoning, signs, tree protection, lighting, fencing, encroachments, overall development requirements.

APPLICATIONS, DOCUMENTS & FORMS

All Planning & Zoning Department applications, documents and forms are available in the Documents Center.  See the "Planning & Zoning Department" folder. 

CITY OF MYRTLE BEACH ZONING GIS MAP

To view the map in a new tab, click here:  https://arcg.is/0rrier 



ANNEXATION

An annexation guide is available for nearby property owners who wish to consider bringing their land into the city limits.  It explains the methods and benefits of annexation and provides additional contact information.  All related applications, documents and forms are available in the Documents Center in the "Annexation" Folder.  

PLANNING & ZONING BOARDS

Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee...  This board works to solve issues and enhance the bicycle and pedestrian experience within Myrtle Beach.  The group also creates and provides educational materials as well as leadership to preserve public safety.  To learn more and see a map of trails, visit the Bicycle Map & Routes webpage.  To see a list of board members, visit the Boards, Commissions & Committees webpage.  To download the Bicycle Safety Poster and Brochures, or to view the city's Bicycle Facilities Map, visit the Bicycle Map & Brochures webpage.

Board of Zoning Appeals...  This board hears appeals from zoning decisions and considers requests for variances from zoning regulations.  All related applications, documents and forms are available in the Documents Center in the "Planning & Zoning Department" folder.  Please be sure to read the application instructions.  For more information, call 843-918-1050.  To see a list of board members, visit the Boards, Commissions & Committees webpage.

Community Appearance Board...  This board reviews signs, commercial buildings and oceanfront residential construction plans.  All related applications, documents and forms are available in the Documents Center in the "Community Appearance Board" Folder.  To see a list of board members, visit the Boards, Commissions & Committees webpage.

Planning Commission...  This board serves Myrtle Beach City Council as an advisory board to planning and growth of the City of Myrtle Beach.  To see a list of board members, visit the Boards, Commissions & Committees webpage.

TREE PROTECTION ORDINANCE

Tree-cutting permits, information and forms are available in the Documents Center in the "Tree Protection Requirements" Folder.  For more information regarding trees and landscaping, call 843-918-1182.

ZONING & SHORT-TERM RENTALS

Is your Myrtle Beach property eligible for short-term rentals?  With the popularity of online vacation rentals, some people are thinking about renting out an existing home or purchasing a new one for that purpose.  Check the zoning map first!  Unless it is zoned for short-term rentals (less than 90 days), you cannot do it.  If the zoning does allow for short-term rental use, a business license is required.

Most Myrtle Beach residential neighborhoods are NOT zoned for short-term rentals.  Violations are misdemeanors, subject to fines of up to $500 and/or 30 days per occurrence, upon conviction.  City-wide, only 24 houses in traditional residential zones are grandfathered for short-term rentals.  They were consistently used for that purpose decades ago, prior to the existing zoning.

The areas shaded in pink on the zoning map below are the only zones that allow short-term rentals in the city.  If the property isn’t already in a zone that allows short-term rentals, then it cannot be converted to or approved for that use.  Zoning districts that begin with R do not allow short-term rentals, with the exception of the RMV (Residential Multifamily Visitor) Zone.

Again, “short-term” is anything less than 90 days, according to both city and state law.  For questions about a specific property, call 843-918-1050.  For a high resolution PDF of the map below, click here.

Zoning Map