Myrtle Beach considers Ocean Boulevard limits on new large drinking establishments
Myrtle Beach is considering a land-use change that could limit new large drinking establishments on Ocean Boulevard while allowing certain existing venues to continue operating under nonconforming status.
The Myrtle Beach Planning Commission scheduled a public hearing for August 4, 2026, on the proposed Ocean Boulevard overlay. Under the proposal, new drinking establishments with occupancy above 150 people would be restricted.
What the proposal would do
The measure targets the size of new drinking establishments rather than creating a citywide ban on bars or similar venues. The 150-person occupancy threshold is central to the proposed restriction and would apply to new drinking places covered by the overlay on Ocean Boulevard.
Existing properly licensed venues operating as of May 12, 2026, could remain in place as nonconforming establishments. That means the proposal would distinguish between businesses already operating by the eligibility date and new establishments seeking to open afterward.
The available notice does not say that existing venues would lose their licenses. It describes continued operation for properly licensed establishments that meet the May 12 date, subject to the proposal’s nonconforming status.
Why the decision matters
Ocean Boulevard is within the City of Myrtle Beach in Horry County, South Carolina, and is a core tourism corridor. A decision on the overlay could shape future nightlife development, licensing and land use along the boulevard.
For local businesses, the distinction between existing and new establishments could affect how future high-capacity drinking venues are proposed and evaluated. For residents and visitors, the immediate issue is whether the city’s planning rules will place a limit on the occupancy of newly established drinking businesses in this part of Myrtle Beach.
The matter is a planning and land-use action, not merely a routine event listing. The city’s official Chapter 15 planning and development code provides the broader municipal land-use framework in which an overlay would operate.
Final status remains unclear
The source record confirms that the Planning Commission hearing was scheduled for August 4, 2026. It does not establish whether commissioners approved, amended or deferred the overlay at that hearing.
The final commission or city record, including the full ordinance text and any vote details, is needed before the proposal can be described as enacted. Until that record is available, the occupancy restriction and the May 12 eligibility provision should be treated as proposed terms rather than final city law.
Sources
- Public Notices in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, NoticeRegistry
- Chapter 15 — Planning and Development, City of Myrtle Beach
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