Bluffton council workshop examines caps, safety rules for tour companies and Segways

Bluffton Town Council members and staff spent more than an hour Feb. 11 discussing proposed changes to Chapter 7 of the town code that would revise how tour companies operate in town, including vehicle classifications, caps on operators and new safety requirements.

Natalie (staff member) introduced the draft ordinance and said it divides tours into four types — animal-drawn carriages, motorized vehicles (buses, mopeds, golf carts, Segways), nonmotorized tours (walking, bicycles, pedicabs) and pedicabs limited to Old Town — and would require a business license and a Bluffton history class for operators. “All of the types of tour companies, or tour types do require business license,” Natalie said. “Some of them do have a cap. So animal drawn vehicles have a cap of two companies and only two carriages permitted at one time.”

Council members focused on three recurrent issues: whether to keep a numeric cap in the code, safety and placement of certain vehicles in narrow downtown sidewalks, and whether the town should require recurring certification or a permit that would be renewed annually. Councilwoman Frasier said she opposed adding more carriage permits because of downtown congestion. “I would be opposed currently to any permits even though we don't have any right now,” she said, citing downtown traffic and pedestrian safety.

Police safety concerns centered on Segways and similar electric personal-assistive devices. Bluffton’s police chief summarized relevant South Carolina law and safety expectations, noting state statute 56-5-3310 (adopted 2024) treats Segways as electric personal-assistive mobility devices: they must travel under 20 mph, use sidewalks when available and, if required by design, use roadway shoulders. The chief said units must have lights, rear reflectors and an audible signal; he warned narrow sidewalks and heavy pedestrian nighttime use in Old Town could make Segway tours unsafe. “If they are required to be on the sidewalk, I am a little concerned with them driving late at night with the heavy crowded amount of people and tourists that we have on the sidewalks,” the chief said.

Council debated whether the current “two companies / two vehicles” cap (present in the existing ordinance) should remain. Several council members said a hard cap can create an unwarranted monopoly and argued market forces will limit operators; others said a cap could be used to manage downtown congestion. Councilwoman Burton suggested using what is currently operating as a baseline if the council chooses to set limits. “If we, you know, say we have 4 operating right now, that may be a good basis to go if we want to have a number limited,” she said.

On certification and oversight, staff said the draft requires a Bluffton history class but does not currently require recertification at renewal of the business license. Natalie said the town does not monitor content of tours after certification; council members asked for a clearer process for verifying and re-checking the required class when licenses are renewed.

Council gave staff direction to return with an updated ordinance for formal consideration: refine the motorized definition, consider restricting animals and Segways in Old Town, examine whether to remove or adjust the numeric caps, add permit/recertification language tied to business-license renewal, and consider requiring liability insurance and route approval. Natalie said staff will bring a first reading in April and a second/final reading in May.