Horry County weighs banning camping on county parks and boat landings amid enforcement concerns

Horry County officials said the county's long-standing camping ordinance — adopted in April 2001 — is creating enforcement and safety problems and asked the council to direct staff to present draft changes.

"You could actually set a tent up outside of the Government Justice Building and camp for 3 days the way the ordinance is currently live," Ray, a parks staff member, told the council while outlining the policy scope. He said the county has 28 boat landings and 31 parks where camping is permitted and that many sites lack water, electricity or restroom facilities.

Deputy Chief Wyatt, speaking for law enforcement, said practical limits make enforcement difficult. "It's hard for us to move them along because there's no definition of what camping truly is in the ordinance," Wyatt said, noting officers often cannot confirm how long someone has occupied a site and that abandoned vehicles can remain for weeks before thefts are discovered.

Officials described incidents near playgrounds, burned picnic shelters and concerns about trash, human waste and gun use at some landings. Staff offered several options for council feedback: repeal the ordinance (ban camping on county properties), keep it as written, amend it to restrict parks but allow limited camping at certain landings, or create a permit-and-fee system to better track permitted stays.

Multiple council members pressed for quick action, citing proximity to waterfront homeowners and public-safety fears. One member summarized the consensus to staff: develop a clearer policy and return with a draft resolution or ordinance changes the council can consider within a short timeline.

The council did not adopt an immediate ordinance change during the meeting but directed staff to develop proposed language and operational details, including vehicle-tagging, towing timelines and site designations, and return to council for formal action.