City of NMB privatizes parking enforcement

By Ruben Lowman

The North Myrtle Beach City Council is moving toward a privatized model for parking enforcement following a unanimous first-reading vote at their latest meeting on Monday March 16.

The proposed amendment to the city code would allow a private contractor to manage enforcement duties, a shift that city officials say will streamline operations.

A major component of the change includes the decriminalization of parking violations, effectively repealing sections of the code that previously classified such infractions as misdemeanors. This transition aims to move parking disputes into a civil administrative realm rather than the criminal justice system.

During the public hearing, some residents voiced concerns regarding the transparency of the appeals process when dealing with a third-party contractor.

In response, city attorney Chris Noury clarified that while a new administrative review process will be established, citizens maintain the right to appeal any citation in municipal court within thirty days.

Under the proposed rules, a citation can be voided within seven days for specific objective reasons, such as technical malfunctions of parking devices, errors in the license plate recognition process or proof of timely payment.

Noury emphasized that the city is not stripping residents of their day in court but rather adding a layer of administrative review to resolve clear technical errors quickly.

In the same mid-March session, the council also gave initial approval for the creation of a formal Construction Board of Appeals.

Mayor J. Baldwin, who is a retired developer, noted that building codes often contain gray areas where an inspector’s interpretation might differ from a contractor’s.

The new board will be established as a standalone entity within the city’s administration code, providing a dedicated venue to resolve interpretation disputes in real-time so that projects are not unnecessarily delayed by administrative disagreements, according to city officials.

These administrative shifts follow significant public safety legislation passed by the council exactly one month prior.

On Feb. 16, city leaders moved to crack down on so-called disruptive gatherings by passing an ordinance targeting nuisance parties.

The law grants the North Myrtle Beach Police Department the explicit authority to order the cessation and dispersal of parties that present a risk to public safety or neighborhood peace.

The ordinance also allows for the immediate removal of any obstructions, such as vehicles or structures, that block sidewalks, streets or emergency access points.

The February debate focused heavily on the responsibilities of property owners versus tenants. Councilman Hank Thomas expressed concern that absentee landlords, particularly those living out of state, could be penalized for the bad actions of short-term renters.

However, NMB Police Chief Dana Crowell and City Attorney Noury attempted to assure the council that the ordinance is designed to hold the person who is in physical control of the premises accountable.

Whether the responsible party is an owner, a tenant or a guest who has assumed control of the event, the police intend to cite the individual organizing or allowing the nuisance rather than defaulting to an off-site owner.