Commercial Activity on the Beach Rules

Fitness and Non-Franchised Commercial Beach Activity Rules

1. Businesses must request permission to operate annually. All applications must be received to the City by January 15th of each year (February 1st in 2020) and will be considered at the February Council meeting each year. A business may not be registered to a new owner without the approval from Council.
2. City Council will limit the number of applications awarded to a number that is reasonable given available locations, class size, and suitability. Preference will be given to commercial activities that focus on health and wellness or are otherwise a consistent with the City’s goals.
3. Once awarded, the annual fee to operate will be $250.
4. Any applications received after the deadline can be considered for the City’s shared commercial area at a location to be determined by Council.
5. Surf lessons may not exceed 5 students per class; all other groups except for surf lessons may not exceed 40 per class.
6. Lessons must adhere to specific location(s) outside of 3rd East to 3rd West assigned by City Council and shown on the beachfront commercial activity map.
7. Other than surf lessons, which are permitted at any time, each business shall not teach more than 10 hours per week and shall make every effort not to interfere with public use of the beach or efforts to protect habitats of endangered species ( e.g. turtles and birds).
8. No classes or lessons between 10am- 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays, other than surf lessons of S or fewer students.
9. Each business must hold liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 with the City named as an additional insured.
10. Each business is responsible for keeping its area clean and free of trash.
11. All teachers must obtain a Folly Beach business license after approval is given and before conducting any business.
12. The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on the beach. Glass containers and cans are prohibited on the beach. Non-alcoholic beverages may be in a cooler, but their contents must be transferred to a plastic or paper cup, then returned to the cooler.
13. Loud music or other loud noise is not allowed on the beach at any time.
14. Fireworks and open fires, including tiki torches, are prohibited on the beach. Gas grills are permitted.
15. No signage or advertising is allowed.
16. Access to the beach must be made through a public walkover.
17. No motorized vehicles, including golf carts, are allowed on the beach.
18. It is extremely important to remember to stay away from (and to keep the public and animals away from) the sand dunes and turtle nests. It is unlawful to damage, destroy, alter, level or remove any sand dune or even to be present on the sand dunes, except on the walkovers. It is also unlawful to cut, break, or otherwise destroy sea oat plants or any part of a sea oat plant on public or private property. Each time such an offense is committed, it is subject to a $500 fine. Damaging or disturbing sea turtle nests is a federal crime.

If you have questions, please contact our Community Coordinator, communitycoordinator@follybeach.gov