BEACH RULES

Before you pack up your lunch and head down to the beach, please take a few minutes to review the rules for using the beach. Have fun and let us know if there is anything we can do better and which will make your visit to Folly more enjoyable. We appreciate your input.

DOGS are not allowed on the beach from 10 am to 6 pm from May 1st to Sept. 30th. At all other times they must be leashed and under control. Pick up your dog’s waste and remove from the beach. No pets are ever allowed on the pier.

NO POSSESSION OR CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL ALLOWED ON BEACH.

NO SMOKING IS ALLOWED ON THE BEACH OR THE BEACH ACCESSES. THIS INCLUDES BOTH SIDES OF EAST ASHLEY AVENUE AT THE WASHOUT.

NO GLASS is allowed on the beach.

NO PLASTIC, BALLOONS, OR STYROFOAM is allowed on the beach.

NO OPEN FIRES or FIREWORKS are allowed at any time.

NO LITTERING. IF YOU ARE GOING TO THE BEACH, PLEASE BRING GARBAGE BAGS AND TAKE TRASH TO CONTAINERS FOUND AT EACH BEACH ACCESS. Have BEACH PRIDE and help us keep our beach clean so you and others can enjoy it now and in years to come.

PERSONAL ITEMS LEFT ON THE BEACH after sunset, such as tents, canopies, coolers, volleyball nets, and umbrellas, shall be considered abandoned and the city has the right to take possession and dispose of said items. Please make sure you have all your personal property when you leave the beach.

SAND DUNES are protected and fragile. Beach sea oats and grass help protect the dunes. Stay off the dunes and use public walkovers, located at every block, to access the beach.

SEA TURTLES are an endangered species. Do not interfere with them in any way. No lights are allowed that illuminate the front beach between 10 pm and dawn from May 1st to October 31st. Hatchling turtles are disorientated by artificial light. Fill holes dug in sand before you leave the beach. If you see any adult sea turtles or hatchings call 843-588-2433 to report your sighting.

DIGGING HOLES deeper than 1ft on the beach is illegal. All holes must be filled before you leave the beach and no metal shovels are allowed.

STRONG RIP CURRENTS are common so swim with caution. Charleston County Parks and Recreation provides lifeguards at the West End County Park and from 2nd Street East to 3rd Street West beachfront from May through Labor Day.

SURFING without a leash is prohibited. From May 15th to Sept. 15th surfing is prohibited between 10 am to 6 pm from 2nd Street East to 3rd Street West, known as the swimming zone. From September 16th to May 14th, surfing is allowed in any area except is always prohibited 200′ from the fishing pier.

PARKING RULES

The City of Folly Beach welcomes you to our beautiful community. We hope your visit will be fun for you and your family and that you will visit again. There is one thing you can do which will help make your visit more enjoyable and prevent you or members of your family from being ticketed by the Department of Public Safety. 

A new parking website will be launched on May 1st with detailed information on the City’s parking program. www.parkfollybeach.org.

If you need assistance, please call 843-580-0423, 24-hours a day.  

READ THE FOLLOWING PARKING RULES AND REGULATIONS as they are strictly enforced.

  1. No parking on the roadway. All four tires must be off the road. If white lines are painted, tires must be outside the white line.
  2. No parking against traffic. All vehicles must park with the flow of traffic.
  3. No parking in a crosswalk.
  4. No parking within 20 feet of an intersection.
  5. No parking within 30 feet of a stop sign, traffic control signal, or any flashing signal.
  6. No parking on sidewalks.
  7. No blocking public or private driveways.
  8. No parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
  9. No stopping, standing, or parking in a roadway.
  10. No diagonal parking unless posted. All parking must be parallel to the roadway.
  11. No parking on dunes or revetments.
  12. No parking in ADA accessible parking spaces unless visible ADA license tag or visible permit on the vehicle.
  13. No parking on yellow curbs or within areas marked by yellow or red street lines.
  14. No parking behind yellow lines.


Nothing ruins a fun day at the beach like a fine!

Signs abut littering at Folly Beach

All City of Folly Beach Ordinances are strictly enforced with fines up to $1,092.00. The rules are reasonable, simple and even simpler to follow. Make sure your visit is to the beach and not to an ATM!

Advice for first time beach explorers...

Remember where you park! Take a pic of the street name and block number where your car is. People file onto Center Street for some fun and when they try to find their car five hours later, they are wandering the entire island clicking their key fob.

When your feet first hit the sand, TURN AROUND and make note of your beach access. Does it have an access number? Like 4E, 5E, 6W etc. Make note of the houses on either side of the access or some other landmarks.