Rules & Regulations

Carolina Cabanas Operations

1. Setup service. Only umbrellas and cabanas are set up and taken down daily. All other equipment is delivered on your arrival day and picked up the morning of checkout.
2. Setup time. Setup starts at 7:00 AM and is complete across all beaches by roughly 9:00 AM.
3. Takedown time. Cabana and umbrella takedown begins at 5:00 PM daily.
4. High winds. In the event of high winds (18+ mph gusts), we will take down equipment early. Safety is our priority, first and foremost.
5. Rain and lightning. In the event of intense rain or lightning, we will take down early. We will always try to reach out first.
6. Do not adjust the cabana. Please do not adjust the cabana's height or move the cabana in any way. Doing so voids our rental agreement and could seriously injure yourself or others.
7. No hanging or climbing. Please do not hang on or play around the equipment.
8. Equipment return. Delivered items must be available for pickup the morning of your checkout date, preferably in the location they were delivered. We do not have easy access into the houses.
9. Watersports waiver. A watersports waiver is required to be signed electronically for any delivered watersports equipment (kayaks, paddleboards).
10. Locating your cabana. Your cabana is tagged with your name. Walk to your specified beach access and look for the Carolina Cabanas tag on the cabana marked with your name.

Sunset Beach Town Rules

Information may be out of date. Visit the Town of Sunset Beach website for current ordinances.

1. No person shall walk, ride an animal, or operate a vehicle of any type on, over, or upon any sand dune lying within the town limits.
2. Only emergency and official vehicles are allowed on the beach.
3. Only non-glass containers are allowed on the beach.
4. Pets shall remain on a 10 ft. or less leash and under the control of a responsible person.
5. Beginning the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, pets are permitted on the beach during the hours before 9:00 AM and after 6:00 PM.
6. Pet owners are required to pick up and dispose of their pet's waste.
7. No littering on the beach strand.
8. No open fires on the beach.
9. No fireworks or sparklers are allowed on the beach.
10. Do not take, disturb, or destroy any sea turtle nest or eggs.
11. Remain on the beach access walkways when crossing the dunes.
12. Beach holes should not exceed 18 inches in depth or 5 feet in width, and must be filled in before leaving the beach.
13. No tents, cabanas, or canopies are allowed between 3rd and 29th Street.
14. Commercial cabana vendor/rental enterprises are required to obtain a permit prior to erecting cabanas for their customers.
15. Tents/cabanas should not exceed 12' x 12' and anchor tie-downs must be installed as manufacturer requires. There must be a 10-foot space between tents. Place the rear of the tent in alignment with the two adjacent beach trash can poles.

Oak Island Town Rules

Information may be out of date. Visit the Town of Oak Island website for current ordinances.

• Access. The beach is only accessible through designated walkovers, pathways, and Beach Access Locations.
• Equipment. Beach equipment including chairs, umbrellas, canopy frames, blankets, towels, toys, electronic devices, and other personal items must be removed by the end of each day. Tents larger than 400 sq. feet require inspection — call 910-201-8053.
• Dunes. Walking, running, playing, climbing, or traffic of any kind across the sand dunes is prohibited except in designated access areas.
• Emergency access. Emergency vehicle accesses must remain clear. Beach equipment may not be placed within 15 feet of emergency vehicle accesses, or within 10 feet of marked sea turtle nests.
• Glass. Glass containers are not allowed on the beach or in beach accesses.
• Holes. Holes must be filled and leveled before leaving for the day. Do not dig large holes — these can collapse or fill with water and lead to fatal injury.
• Metal detecting. Allowed in public beach areas as long as it doesn't encroach on private property.
• Piers. No swimming or recreation within 250 feet of any commercial or public pier. Surfing prohibited within 350 feet. Nothing may be hung from or attached to any part of the pier.
• Pets. Must be on a physical leash (strap/rope/chain) from March 16 – October 15. Voice and electronic leashes are not recognized. Dogs must be physically restrained, under owner control. Shade and water required for outdoor dogs. Aggressive dogs must be removed immediately. Owners must clean up after their dogs.
• Trash. Must be removed from the beach and disposed of in containers at public Beach Access Locations.
• Vehicles. Vehicles and electric bicycles are NOT allowed on the beach strand or sand dunes within town limits, except town-approved mobility devices and official vehicles.
• Weddings and events. Small ceremonies don't require a Special Event Permit, but obtaining one is recommended for emergency response awareness.

Holden Beach Town Rules

Information may be out of date. Visit the Town of Holden Beach website for current ordinances.

1. The dunes along the south side of Ocean Boulevard provide storm protection. Do not walk over the dunes. Use wooden walkways and ramps. Public walkways are marked with a CAMA sign. Handicap access and parking is available on Quinton.
2. Only emergency and official Town Staff vehicles are allowed to drive on the beach.
3. There are no lifeguards. Rip currents can kill. If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shoreline until you're out of it — do not swim against the current back to shore.
4. Jet skis should only be operated outside 500 feet from shore. Do not ride skis onto the beach.
5. Trash receptacles are placed along the beach. Do not litter.
6. Pets are not allowed on the beach from May 20 to September 10, except between 5:00 PM and 9:00 AM daily. Pets must be on a leash at all times on the island.
7. No surfboard shall be used on the beach or adjacent ocean waters within 500 feet of any fishing pier.
8. It is unlawful to dig into the sand greater than 12 inches deep without a responsible person attending. Holes must be filled level before leaving.
9. All unattended beach equipment must be removed between 6:00 PM and 7:00 AM daily.