Seawall Repair in Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach made a choice after Hurricane Hugo that still shapes its waterfront. When the state set beachfront rules, the city went further and adopted a setback equal to 50 years of erosion, not the state's 40, keeping much of the shoreline as open space. So the walls we repair here sit inland. They line the Intracoastal Waterway, whose last link from Winyah Bay to Little River was finished in Horry County in 1936, and the tidal swashes like Withers Swash that carry stormwater out to the ocean.

Which Grand Strand Communities Does Our Myrtle Beach Team Serve?

Myrtle Beach is the center of our Grand Strand coverage. Larger projects, engineering, and permit-heavy jobs draw on our Charleston seawall repair team, which supports the whole South Carolina coast.

North Strand. In North Myrtle Beach, most of our work is on the Cherry Grove canals and Intracoastal frontage, where the canals run out to Hog Inlet.

South Strand. South of the city, Surfside Beach sits behind a beach the Army Corps renourished in 2026, so most of its wall work is on the back side. Next comes Murrells Inlet, with marsh-front and dock bulkheads around a salt marsh estuary.

Waccamaw Neck and Winyah Bay. Further south in Georgetown County, Pawleys Island has creek-side walls behind its groin-protected beach, and the river city of Georgetown has walls on the Sampit River and Winyah Bay.

Why Can't I Build a Seawall on the Myrtle Beach Oceanfront?

South Carolina's Beachfront Management Act prohibits new erosion control structures, meaning seawalls, bulkheads, and revetments, seaward of the state setback line. The legislature's own findings say hard armoring on the beach "has not proven effective" and can speed up the loss of the dry sand beach. A structure that predates the law may be maintained but not enlarged or strengthened. If it is destroyed more than 50% above grade, it must be removed.

The beach itself gets sand instead. In August 2026, the Army Corps finished a $72 million Grand Strand renourishment, placing about 275,000 cubic yards along 11.94 miles of Myrtle Beach.

What Damages Intracoastal Bulkheads Around Myrtle Beach?

Storm surge. Hugo pushed water about 13 feet above sea level at Myrtle Beach, per the National Weather Service. In 2016, Matthew's surge and waves tore away 900 feet of the 1,000-foot Springmaid Pier. Ian's surge in 2022 peaked 5.17 feet above the normal high-tide line at the same pier.

River flooding meeting the waterway. During Matthew, the Hurricane Center says most of Socastee was under knee-deep water where the Intracoastal meets the Waccamaw River.

Daily tide. NOAA's Springmaid Pier station shows a mean range of 5.02 feet. That rise and fall keeps working soil out through any open seam.

Which Repairs Fit Grand Strand Walls?

If your wall stands straight but the yard behind it is sinking, polyurethane injection fills voids and seals leaking seams without excavation. Cracked caps, rotted timber, and broken hardware call for bulkhead repair handled with our Charleston team. Walls that have started leaning toward the waterway can often be saved with anchors through seawall reinforcement.

Who Permits Wall Work in Myrtle Beach?

• SCDES Bureau of Coastal Management. DHEC's coastal program moved to the SC Department of Environmental Services in July 2024. Tidal waters and marsh are critical areas, and normal maintenance and repair may not need a critical area permit.
• State bulkhead rules. Regulation 30-12 requires new or extended bulkheads to follow the critical area line.
• City of Myrtle Beach. Local building approval applies inside city limits.

Book a free inspection and we'll confirm which approvals apply.