Don’t expect Shibumi shades on Horry County’s beaches in 2023. Here’s what to know

As the Grand Strand’s busiest visitation months near, beach goers will once again be barred from unfurling shading devices during peak season over requests from an industry leader to allow them at least on a trial basis.

In November, an advisory panel voted against recommending the city council allow devices up to 80 square feet on residential areas, siding with public safety officials who said the experiment could lead to more service calls.

The city’s Beach Advisory Committee doesn’t have authority to make new rules, but it’s input is a significant contributor to decisions made by the City Council.

Shading devices in peak season barred for years

Since 2014, it’s been illegal to deploy umbrellas and other shading devices on city-run beach areas, except between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

City leaders say the prohibition is due to safety concerns and quality of life issues.

“Tents certainly are convenient. But they were so plentiful at peak times and locations that they blocked access and visibility to the water’s edge, affecting public safety and everyone’s enjoyment of our gorgeous beach,” the city says on its website.

Last season, the city police department’s beach patrol handled 1,800 calls for ordinance violations — 1,500 related to illegally setting up tents and other shading devices, said Master Cpl. Kevin Larke, who leads the unit.

Within Myrtle Beach and Horry County, umbrellas can only be seven feet in diameter and must be placed behind established boundary lines or above the high tide mark.

Lobbying Myrtle Beach to change policy

At an October Beach Advisory Committee meeting, Shibumi Shade co-founder Scott Barnes said strong customer demand is driving the company’s interest in entering the Mrytle Beach market.

According to its website, just Bethany Beach, Del., Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, have restrictions on the use of Shibumis and other shade products.

“These thousands of people want to use a Shibumi. And so not allowing them to is creating a conflict with the public safety administration who have to do their jobs,” Barnes said during an October Beach Advisory Committee meeting.