As of April 1, 2022, the town’s “peak” season rules pertaining to pets on the beach are now in effect.  Pursuant to Section 32-44 of the Town Code, also known “Beach Rules for Pets Ordinance,” the beaches of Seabrook Island are divided into three zones. The requirements for each zone during the “off-peak” season are provided below:
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Restricted Area (Red)

• The restricted area begins at a line extending from Boardwalk #1 (Community Center Boardwalk) to the Atlantic Ocean and continues in a northeasterly direction to Captain Sams Inlet.
• No pets shall be allowed within the restricted area at any time, whether on or off a leash.​

 
Limited Restriction Area (Yellow)

• The limited restriction area begins approximately 300 yards northwest of a line extending from Boardwalk #9 (Pelican Watch Boardwalk) to the Edisto River and continues in a northwesterly direction to Privateer Creek.
• Pets within the limited restriction area must be on a leash at all times.

​
General Beach Area (Green)

• During the “peak” season (April 1 – September 30), Pets must be on a leash between the hours of 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. At all other times, pets may be off a leash, provided they remain effectively controlled while on the beach; 

​
​As a reminder, when an animal is allowed to be off-leash, it must be effectively controlled by a competent person from: (a) entering any area on or adjacent to the beach in which a pet is prohibited; (b) destroying or damaging any property; (c) attacking or threatening  to attack any person or any other animal or pet in any manner; or (d) being a nuisance to other beach goers.
 
When a pet is required to be on a leash, it must be restrained using a physical restraint made of cord, rope, strap, chain or other material effective for restraining the type and size of animal to which it is attached. In addition, the physical restraint must be no more than sixteen (16) feet in length, secured to the animal’s collar or harness, and continuously held by a competent person physically capable of restraining the animal. Animals under voice control, or under control of remotely operated devices (such as electronic collars), are considered to be “off leash.”​
 
The beaches of Seabrook Island are actively patrolled by code enforcement officers employed by the town, as well as by designated personnel from the Seabrook Island Beach Patrol. Individuals who are found guilty of violating any ordinance of the town may be subject to fines up to $1,087.50 per offense (including court fees) upon conviction.

To report a violation, please contact the town's Beach Patrol by phone at (843) 718-6083.
 
The town’s “peak” season rules will remain in effect until September 30, 2022. ​

As of October 1, 2021, the town’s “off-peak” season rules pertaining to pets on the beach are now in effect.  Pursuant to Section 32-44 of the Town Code, also known “Beach Rules for Pets Ordinance,” the beaches of Seabrook Island are divided into three zones. The requirements for each zone during the “off-peak” season are provided below:
​​
Restricted Area (Red)

• The restricted area begins at a line extending from Boardwalk #1 (Community Center Boardwalk) to the Atlantic Ocean and continues in a northeasterly direction to Captain Sams Inlet.
• No pets shall be allowed within the restricted area at any time, whether on or off a leash.​

 
Limited Restriction Area (Yellow)

• The limited restriction area begins approximately 300 yards northwest of a line extending from Boardwalk #9 (Pelican Watch Boardwalk) to the Edisto River and continues in a northwesterly direction to Privateer Creek.
• Pets within the limited restriction area must be on a leash at all times.

​
General Beach Area (Green)

• During the “off-peak” season (October 1-March 31), pets may be off a leash at all times, provided they remain effectively controlled while on the beach; 

​
​As a reminder, when an animal is allowed to be off-leash, it must be effectively controlled by a competent person from: (a) entering any area on or adjacent to the beach in which a pet is prohibited; (b) destroying or damaging any property; (c) attacking or threatening  to attack any person or any other animal or pet in any manner; or (d) being a nuisance to other beach goers.
 
When a pet is required to be on a leash, it must be restrained using a physical restraint made of cord, rope, strap, chain or other material effective for restraining the type and size of animal to which it is attached. In addition, the physical restraint must be no more than sixteen (16) feet in length, secured to the animal’s collar or harness, and continuously held by a competent person physically capable of restraining the animal. Animals under voice control, or under control of remotely operated devices (such as electronic collars), are considered to be “off leash.”​
 
The beaches of Seabrook Island are actively patrolled by code enforcement officers employed by the town. Individuals who are found guilty of violating any ordinance of the town may be subject to fines up to $1,087.50 per offense (including court fees) upon conviction.

To report a violation during the off-peak season, please contact Town Hall at (843) 768-9121.
 
The town’s “off-peak” season rules will remain in effect until March 31, 2022. 

On April 27, 2021, Seabrook Island Town Council adopted Ordinance 2021-01, which requires that all domestic household animals/pets must be effectively restrained on a leash when on public property or the property of another within the town. This includes real property, streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and public rights-of-way.

Under the new ordinance, any person owning or having possession, charge, custody or control of a domestic household animal/pet must restrain the animal from destroying or damaging any property; attacking, threatening to attack, or interfering with any person in any manner; becoming a nuisance; or straying onto public property or the private property of another. The leash must be made of cord, rope, strap, chain, or other material that is no more than 16 feet in length, secured to the animal’s collar or harness, and continually held by a competent person.

This new ordinance does not affect the  existing rules regarding pets on the beach. To view the town’s beach rules for pets, please click here.​

As of April 1, 2021, the town’s “peak” season rules pertaining to pets on the beach are now in effect.  Pursuant to Section 32-44 of the Town Code, also known “Beach Rules for Pets Ordinance,” the beaches of Seabrook Island are divided into three zones. The requirements for each zone during the “off-peak” season are provided below:
​​
Restricted Area (Red)

• The restricted area begins at a line extending from Boardwalk #1 (Community Center Boardwalk) to the Atlantic Ocean and continues in a northeasterly direction to Captain Sams Inlet.
• No pets shall be allowed within the restricted area at any time, whether on or off a leash.​

 
Limited Restriction Area (Yellow)

• The limited restriction area begins approximately 300 yards northwest of a line extending from Boardwalk #9 (Pelican Watch Boardwalk) to the Edisto River and continues in a northwesterly direction to Privateer Creek.
• Pets within the limited restriction area must be on a leash at all times.

​
General Beach Area (Green)

• During the “peak” season (April 1 – September 30), Pets must be on a leash between the hours of 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. At all other times, pets may be off a leash, provided they remain effectively controlled while on the beach; 

​
​As a reminder, when an animal is allowed to be off-leash, it must be effectively controlled by a competent person from: (a) entering any area on or adjacent to the beach in which a pet is prohibited; (b) destroying or damaging any property; (c) attacking or threatening  to attack any person or any other animal or pet in any manner; or (d) being a nuisance to other beach goers.
 
When a pet is required to be on a leash, it must be restrained using a physical restraint made of cord, rope, strap, chain or other material effective for restraining the type and size of animal to which it is attached. In addition, the physical restraint must be no more than sixteen (16) feet in length, secured to the animal’s collar or harness, and continuously held by a competent person physically capable of restraining the animal. Animals under voice control, or under control of remotely operated devices (such as electronic collars), are considered to be “off leash.”​
 
The beaches of Seabrook Island are actively patrolled by code enforcement officers employed by the town, as well as by designated personnel from the Seabrook Island Beach Patrol. Individuals who are found guilty of violating any ordinance of the town may be subject to fines up to $1,087.50 per offense (including court fees) upon conviction.

To report a violation, please contact the town's Beach Patrol by phone at (843) 718-6083.
 
The town’s “peak” season rules will remain in effect until September 30, 2021. 

​On September 24, 2019, Seabrook Island Town Council adopted Ordinance 2019-09, which amends the leash requirements for pets on all beaches within the town limits of Seabrook Island.
 
The request to amend the town’s leash requirements was initiated by a citizen petition received in February 2019. Over a period of seven months, the Town Council carefully considered relevant information from a variety of sources, including the petitioners, Coastal Science and Engineering (the Town’s Beach Management consultant), Seabrook Island Beach Patrol, Seabrook Island Birders Group, Seabrook Island Dog Owners Group, Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol, St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Prior to adoption, a public hearing on the proposed ordinance was advertised and held on September 17, 2019.
 
The new ordinance, which will go into effect on October 24, 2019, divides the beach into three zones:

​For purposes of the new ordinance, the following definitions shall apply: 

No later than one year from the effective date of Ordinance 2019-09, council shall review the terms of the ordinance and determine whether it has worked effectively and achieved the objective of balancing the interests of all users of the beach. Following such review, council shall amend the ordinance, if and to the extent, it deems necessary.

As a reminder, violation of any town ordinance, including the town’s leash requirements for pets on the beach, is a misdemeanor and violators may be subject to fines of up to $1,087.50 (including court fees) upon conviction.

For more information about the town’s leash requirements, please call (843) 768-9121 or email jcronin@townofseabrookisland.org.