Conway narrows golf-cart ordinance changes, sets hours and extends Main Street boundary

Conway City Council on July 20 approved changes to the city’s golf-cart ordinance to align local code with recent state statute updates, set operating hours and extend the downtown permissive area for golf carts. Council members also discussed enforcement and safety requirements, including lighting and seat-belt rules required under state law.

Council heard an overview from staff member Mr. Rogers, who said the proposed revisions reflect this year’s state statute changes and will set explicit operating times and route limits. “The major changes to the section would be set time limits for golf carts of 6AM to 10PM to establish they may operate within a 4-mile radius of their registered address,” Mr. Rogers said during the presentation, summarizing staff’s draft.

During floor discussion Councilmember Miss Helms proposed extending the evening cutoff by one hour to give patrons more time to return from downtown restaurants and attractions. “Can we change that from 10PM to 11PM since most restaurants and ice cream close at 10:00 and give them a little leeway to get home?” Helms asked. Council amended the proposal accordingly.

Council also debated where to allow golf-cart travel on Main Street. Staff presented a map and council directed staff to extend the permissive “green area” beyond Fifth Avenue to Sixteenth Avenue to reflect conditions where Main Street becomes less constrained and more commercial.

Other provisions in the ordinance discussed during the meeting include:

- Limiting golf-cart operation on state primary highways (identified by shield numbers such as U.S. 501 and SC routes) where the state code bans their use by default; - Requiring lighting for night operation consistent with state law; - Requiring pilots/operators to comply with state-imposed speed and safety rules; and - Establishing a certification and rule-review process monitored by staff and the police department.

Council members raised enforcement questions; a council member noted the city has not issued tickets under the newer state rules yet. “On the point of enforcement, have we written any tickets since the state law went into effect?” one member asked. Staff responded that enforcement has been limited and that enforcement practices would continue to be refined.

Council voted to adopt the ordinance changes as amended (hours extended to 11 p.m. and Main Street permissive area extended); the motion carried unanimously.

Why it matters

The ordinance update will define where and when residents and visitors can use golf carts in Conway, balancing tourism and downtown business access with safety and enforcement concerns.

Next steps

Staff will finalize ordinance language consistent with council amendments and return it for final reading and codification as required. The police department will coordinate public information and enforcement procedures once the ordinance is final.

Ending

Council members said they expect additional operational tweaks as the new rules take effect and enforcement experience accrues.