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Horry County, SC Drone Rules: Park Drone Restrictions (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Rule
No drone takeoff/landing in county parks without approval
Section
Horry County Code § 14-15.5(a)(12)
Who approves
County department of recreation and parks
Applies to
All county parks, incl. Socastee, Carolina Forest, Little River
Penalty
Up to $500 fine or 30 days jail (§ 1-8)
Effective date
February 17, 2026 (Ord. No. 104-2025)

Summary

Horry County bars flying a drone into or out of any county park without the recreation department's prior sign-off. Code § 14-15.5(a)(12) prohibits takeoff and landing of any remote-controlled or unmanned aircraft at a county park absent department approval, enforced like every other park code-of-conduct violation.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Horry County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(12)The takeoff or landing of any remote-controlled or unmanned aircraft or drone is prohibited in the parks without prior approval from the department.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 88).

Full Breakdown

" The rule does not attempt to ban flying a drone over a park from outside its boundary, and it leaves airspace regulation to the FAA; what it controls is the physical act of launching or setting a drone down on county park property, which the department of recreation and parks can authorize case by case, the same way it approves tents, inflatables, or organized games under the neighboring subsections. The rule was adopted with the rest of the current park code of conduct by Ord.

No. 104-2025, § 4, effective February 17, 2026, and applies at every park the county runs, including the large unincorporated communities of Socastee, Carolina Forest, Garden City and Little River that rely on county-run parks because they have no municipal government of their own. Because Chapter 14 sets no unique fine for a code-of-conduct breach, a drone flown without approval is enforced through the Code's general penalty, § 1-8, and the department or county police can issue an ordinance summons under § 1-12 rather than make an arrest.

Violations & Fines

Operating a drone's takeoff or landing in a county park without the recreation department's approval is punished under the Code's general penalty, § 1-8: a fine up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both, with up to 30 days of public service available instead of a fine. Staff can also direct a violator to ground the drone and leave before any citation is written.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly a drone at a Horry County park?
Only with the department's prior approval. Code § 14-15.5(a)(12) prohibits taking off or landing a drone at any county park without sign-off from the department of recreation and parks first, so keep the drone grounded unless park staff has cleared the flight beforehand.
Does this rule cover flying over a park, or just launching from one?
The Code only reaches takeoff and landing at the park itself; it doesn't attempt to regulate airspace above county property, which is federal FAA territory. The county's authority is limited to what happens on its own land, so a drone merely passing overhead isn't what this section targets.
How do I get permission to fly a drone at a county park?
The ordinance doesn't spell out a separate application form; approval comes from the department of recreation and parks the same way it clears tents, inflatables or organized games under the rest of § 14-15.5. Contact the park's on-site staff or the county parks department office before you show up to fly.
What's the penalty for flying a drone in a county park without permission?
It's enforced under the Code's general penalty, § 1-8: up to a $500 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or up to 30 days of public service instead of a fine, with each day of ongoing noncompliance treated as a separate offense.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Horry County

Parking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Wildlife FeedingHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Bird ProtectionHeavy Restrictions

All Horry County rules

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