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North Augusta staff proposes local limits for golf carts; council asks for turn‑signals and education
Summary
Chief Johnson briefed council on state law changes (S.C. Code 56‑2‑90) and recommended a local ordinance permitting golf carts on secondary roads up to 35 mph, allowing operation within 4 miles of the registration address and permitting night operation until 11 p.m. for properly equipped carts; council asked staff to consider turn signals and public education before enforcement.
City public safety officials told the City Council on Nov. 24 that a new state law (56‑2‑90, effective May 22, 2025) sets minimum requirements for golf carts and gives municipalities limited authority to regulate hours, locations and methods of operation.
Chief Johnson said the statute requires DMV registration and a permit decal, proof of ownership and liability insurance, a $5 DMV fee, a valid driver’s license for operators (minimum age 16) and that each passenger under age 12 wear a seat belt when the cart is on a roadway. "Each golf cart passenger under the age of 12 must wear a seat belt when operated on the roadway," he said.
Staff recommendations to council included drafting an ordinance that: mirrors the state requirements in city code; allows operation only on secondary highways with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less; permits crossing higher‑speed streets at intersections; permits operation within 4 miles of the address of registration; allows nighttime operation from sunrise to 11:00 p.m. for carts equipped with headlights, taillights, brake lights, reflectors (front, rear and side) and a rear‑facing mirror; and prohibits carts on sidewalks, greenways, unpaved trails and in parks except where signage expressly permits them. The recommended fine was $100, consistent with the state statute.
Council discussion focused on enforcement, equipment and safety. Several councilors and staff said many existing carts likely do not meet the new state requirements (seat belts, lighting, insurance), and they urged a public education campaign before heavy enforcement. Councilors asked staff to examine whether turn signals should be required (the state law does not explicitly require them) and expressed concern about rear‑facing seats and slow carts blocking traffic on narrow streets.
Chief Johnson said enforcement would be similar to other traffic enforcement (relying on public safety patrols and citizen reports) and that the DMV sticker would help officers identify registered carts. He also noted aftermarket equipment kits exist to retrofit older carts.
What happens next: staff will prepare an ordinance and resolution for council consideration at next week’s regular meeting, incorporating technical clarifications such as whether to require turn signals and any targeted exceptions to the 11 p.m. cutoff (for example, specific event areas). No ordinance was adopted at the study session.
Representative quotes: "If you're on a roadway under 12, you have to have it" (chief discussion of seat belts) and "We need to do education because ... we pass this ordinance and next thing we know, we're going to get 20 calls" (Mayor/Unidentified council comments about outreach).
