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The city proper, at the heart of the Grand Strand

Homes for Sale in the City of Myrtle Beach

Oceanfront towers, golf streets near Pine Lakes, older cottages a few blocks from the sand and the airport ten minutes away. This is the city itself, not the whole region that borrows its name.

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How does life inside Myrtle Beach city limits compare?

Living inside Myrtle Beach city limits puts you closest to the beach, the airport and the busiest stretch of restaurants and entertainment on the coast, in a city of 35,000-plus permanent residents that hosts millions of visitors. City zoning also decides where short-term rentals are allowed, so the same budget buys a very different property depending on which side of a zoning line it sits.

If you are looking at the wider area, start at the Myrtle Beach real estate guide. This page is about the city proper.

How the city came to be

The name comes from the wax myrtle, a shrub common here, and was picked in a name-the-town contest in 1900; "Edgewater" finished second. Before that the area was known as Long Bay, Withers and New Town. Myrtle Beach incorporated in 1938 and became a city in 1957, when the permanent population first passed 5,000 (City of Myrtle Beach).

The South Carolina Encyclopedia traces the first resort to a Conway timber company that ran a railroad to the coast around 1900, opened the Seaside Inn in 1901 and sold oceanfront lots for twenty-five dollars each (SC Encyclopedia).

Golf arrived early. Pine Lakes, the city's first course, opened in 1927 as Ocean Forest Country Club, was renamed in 1946, and its clubhouse is on the National Register of Historic Places; it is also home to the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame (Pine Lakes).

For nearly 50 years the city was also a military town. The Air Force base closed in 1993 and became the Market Common district (City of Myrtle Beach).

Housing you will find inside city limits

Oceanfront and resort condos

High-rise and mid-rise buildings along the beach, many in zones that allow weekly rentals. See oceanfront condos.

Established neighborhoods

Single-family streets east and west of U.S. 17 and around the golf courses, with a mix of original homes and rebuilds.

Planned districts

The Market Common area on the former base, and Intracoastal living at Grande Dunes.

Rules that matter more here than anywhere else

Short-term rental zoning

The city is blunt about it: most residential neighborhoods are not zoned for rentals of less than 90 days. Districts beginning with R do not allow them except the RMV zone, only 24 houses in traditional residential zones are grandfathered, and violations can bring fines of up to $500 and/or 30 days per occurrence (Planning & Zoning). All rental property owners need a business license (Business License Division).

Flood and beach

Look up flood risk for any address you like using FEMA's Map Service Center. The 2026 federal renourishment covered the city's beaches as part of a nearly 28-mile project (Horry County). On public beaches in Horry County, pets are not allowed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 1 through Labor Day (SC State Parks).

Taxes

A primary home inside the city qualifies for the lower 4% assessment once you apply (Horry County).

Everyday life

Myrtle Beach International Airport is a short drive from most city neighborhoods, and its airline partners fly nonstop to cities such as Denver and Orlando. Myrtle Beach State Park, on the south side of town, keeps a stretch of oceanfront maritime forest with a fishing pier and 1930s CCC-built cabins. Schools are part of Horry County Schools, whose Myrtle Beach attendance area includes Myrtle Beach High; confirm assignments by address. In 2018 the city was designated autism-friendly by the Champion Autism Network (City of Myrtle Beach).

Keep exploring

Back to the Myrtle Beach real estate guide, or continue with these related pages:

Frequently asked questions

Is all of Myrtle Beach zoned for vacation rentals?

No. Inside city limits, most residential neighborhoods bar rentals shorter than 90 days. Check the city zoning map and the HOA rules for the exact property.

When did Myrtle Beach become a city?

Myrtle Beach incorporated in 1938 and became a city in 1957, when its permanent population passed 5,000.

Which schools serve the City of Myrtle Beach?

Horry County Schools. The district's Myrtle Beach attendance area includes Myrtle Beach High. Confirm assigned schools for a specific address with the district.

Are dogs allowed on Myrtle Beach beaches?

On public beaches in Horry County, pets are not allowed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 1 through Labor Day, according to SC State Parks.

Looking inside city limits?

Book a consultation and I will check zoning, flood zone and HOA rules on any city address before you fall for it.

Book a consultation Call or text 704.746.7513 Email Sandy

Sources

Facts on this page come from these sources, checked November 2026. Rules and programs change, so confirm details for your specific property.