05/29/2026
Myrtle Beach City Council passed the first reading during Tuesday's meeting to authorize $125,000 of the Hospitality Tax fund of this fiscal year's budget to be used towards a beach wheelchair program.
The vote occurred after City Council heard recommendations from staff on how a city beach wheelchair program would operate. The proposal, from the Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Department (PRST), includes the following:
- Beach wheelchair use will be free to the customer.
- $125,000 initial city investment (wheelchair and wheelchair locker purchases).
- $12,000 annually after first year.
- Four automated beach wheelchair lockers (Managed by RentFun program).
- Four beach wheelchairs per locker, 16 in total.
- Lockers would be located at 15th Avenue South, Second Avenue North, 26th Avenue North and 53rd Avenue North.
- The program is set up to add more beach wheelchairs and kiosks, as needed.
All four proposed locations have handicap beach access parking and accessible walkovers. City Council will work with staff to determine details of the program such as maximum hourly rental allowances (four hour rental vs. 24-hour rental, etc.).
PRST staff is already in the permitting phase of adding a beach access mat. In order to install a mat, the city's proposed location at 15th Avenue South must be permitted by SCDES. If approved, the 15th Avenue South location would be the first to be home to a beach wheelchair kiosk and access mat!
Although the budget change takes two readings to be approved, staff is "getting the ball rolling" on all projects mentioned above. It should take roughly two months to complete, if permitting is approved.
More to come! Stay tuned.
You can find the full presentation in the Council Documents section of the city's website here: https://www.cityofmyrtlebeach.com/agenda_details_T15_R464.php
