Blog written by: Tracy S.
Tracy writes for Dunes Realty, sharing vacation planning tips, travel insights, local things to do, and property highlights to help guests make the most of their time along the South Carolina coast.
If your family's beach vacation plans include your fur baby, then you are in luck. At Dunes Realty, our pet-friendly Garden City Beach and Surfside Beach vacation rentals offer your four-legged family members an opportunity to join the fun in the sun. Our collection of homes features pet-friendly vacation rentals near Myrtle Beach, perfect for long weekends or week-long retreats.
In this guide, we will highlight amenities, beach rules, our pet policies, and various other tips for choosing the perfect pet-friendly place to stay during your vacation.
Ready to start your search for the ideal dog-friendly rental? Start your custom search now!
In this article:
- Beach Rules for Dogs
- Dunes Realty Pet Policies
- Dog-Friendly Activities
- Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
- Frequently Asked Questions
Beach Rules for Dogs
Our vacation rentals span across two counties just south of Myrtle Beach. If you plan to bring your dog with you on your getaway, it is important to understand the county ordinances and rules regarding dogs on the beach. Rentals in Surfside Beach and northern Garden City Beach are located in Horry County. Some of our homes in southern Garden City Beach are in Georgetown County. Review the ordinances below so you can choose the vacation rental that will work best for your family.
- In Surfside Beach, dogs are not permitted on the public beach between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM from May 1 through Labor Day. At all other times, leashed dogs are allowed on the beach.
- In Garden City Beach (Horry County), dogs are not allowed on the beach between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM from May 1 through Labor Day. Dogs must be on a handheld leash no longer than 7 feet.
- In Garden City Beach (Georgetown County), dogs must be leashed between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Dogs that are not leashed during other hours must be under voice control, and owners must be able to demonstrate voice control to a law enforcement officer if asked.
- In Myrtle Beach, dogs are allowed on the beach before 10:00 AM and after 5:00 PM from May 1 through Labor Day. From the day after Labor Day to April 30 each year, dogs are allowed on the beach at any time of day. Dogs and bicycles are allowed on the boardwalk only between 5:00 AM and 10:00 AM from May 1 through Labor Day. They must be on a leash that's 7 feet or shorter.
- Pet waste must be collected and properly disposed of in all jurisdictions.
Dunes Realty Pet Policies
Our dog-friendly properties welcome dogs weighing under 35 pounds and who are at least 1 year old. Two dogs who meet these guidelines are permitted per home. As you might expect, a "Fido Fee” will be applied to your reservation. We ask that you review our pet policies before booking with us.
- Dog-friendly properties accept dogs weighing under 35 pounds and at least one (1) year old, with a maximum of two (2) dogs per property. "Visiting" pets are not allowed.
- A $200 non-refundable “Fido Fee” ($300 for two dogs) will be added to each reservation in a dog-friendly property.
- This fee includes the additional services necessary to ensure the comfort of our guests and will even cover housetraining "accidents" provided they are reported to us as soon as possible.
- This fee does not cover damage to the property or grounds resulting from a dog, including but not limited to chewing, scratching, digging, and unreported housetraining accidents.
- Guests will be required to sign a waiver indicating that they understand and assume responsibility for any such damage, and a credit card must be kept on file to cover any such expenses. Damage attributed to a dog is not covered under our regular Damage Waiver.
- Failure to follow these regulations will result in eviction without refund, as will the presence of a dog in any home not designated as “Dog Friendly”.
- All local laws and regulations must be followed.
In order to ensure the comfort and safety of all guests, we have a few additional guidelines:
- Please clean up after your dog, both in public areas and in the yard of your rental property.
- Please do not allow your dog to bark excessively or to roam onto neighboring properties. Many of our homes are located near residential neighborhoods, and we must respect the comfort and privacy of those residents.
- Please do not allow dogs on furniture or beds unless covered by a sheet or blanket that you provide. It is also helpful to bring something (bed, blanket, etc.) on which you know your dog will be comfortable sleeping.
- Please groom your dog, particularly if it is a breed prone to shedding. Pet hair can be difficult to remove, and the next renter in your property may not have a dog.
- Please don't leave your dog unattended for long periods of time. A crate is ideal for those situations in which you must leave.
- Please do your best to clean and dry your dog after a walk; this will help us ensure a speedy check-in for all our guests.
- Please do not allow dogs in swimming pools or hot tubs.
- Please ensure that your dog's medications and immunizations are up to date, especially flea treatment.
Paws-itively Awesome Dog-Friendly Activities
With 60 glorious miles of coastline, the Grand Strand is an oasis for beach-loving people and their pets. There are a plethora of activities and outdoor adventures to enjoy. Whether you are looking forward to sunrise walks along the shore in Garden City Beach or exploring trails at Huntington Beach State Park, there is something exciting around every corner. Are you ready to create memories for the entire family? Here are a few pet-friendly places to visit during your stay.
- Huntington Beach State Park
- Myrtle Beach State Park
- Surfside Beach Bark Park
- Freeway Park in Murrell’s Inlet
For more information about these activities and a pup packing list, be sure to check out our paws-itively awesome blog post.
Choosing the Perfect Pet-Friendly Vacation Rental
At Dunes Realty, our carefully selected properties offer all the comforts and amenities you expect. This includes homes with private pools, hot tubs, and ocean views with the added bonus of welcoming your canine companions!
Finding the ideal vacation rental for your family is easy when you have a few key pieces of information to help you narrow your search. How many bedrooms do you need? How many guests will be traveling with you? Are there any other “must-have” amenities? Is there a specific location where you would like to vacation?
Here are a few amazing options for you to consider. You can also start a custom search on our website or browse our full selection of pet-friendly vacation rentals.
Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals, Garden City, SC
- Garden City Beach (Georgetown)
- Oceanfront
- 7 Bedrooms
- 6 Bathrooms
- Sleep 18
- Private Heated Pool
- Hot Tub
- Garden City Beach (Horry)
- Oceanfront
- 4 Bedrooms
- 3 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 12
- Community Pool
Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals, Surfside Beach, SC
- Surfside Beach
- 2nd Row
- 5 Bedrooms
- 4.5 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 14
- Private Pool
- Surfside Beach
- 2nd Row
- Oceanfront
- 5 Bedrooms
- 4 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 12
- Private Heated Pool
Which of our pet-friendly vacation rentals near Myrtle Beach will you choose for your next family getaway?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do any of your dog-friendly vacation rentals also have elevators?
A: Yes. We have several homes that are pet-friendly and feature an elevator. Use our “show filters” button to customize your search.
Q: Does the sand get hot during the summer in the greater Myrtle Beach area?
A: Yes! Sand temperatures can reach scorching temperatures of 115°F to 130°F (46°C to 54°C) on a sunny day. Please protect your fur baby’s paw from burns!
Q: Do you offer any winter monthly vacation rentals that are pet-friendly?
A: Yes. We have a large selection of homes that are available for monthly rental during the winter and allow two small dogs.
