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Surfside Beach council approves revised golf-cart ordinance requiring headlights and taillights at night
Summary
After extended public comment and council debate over conflicting definitions of “nighttime,” Surfside Beach approved an amended ordinance allowing year-round golf-cart operation only if carts are permanently equipped with working headlights and taillights illuminated during defined nighttime hours; the measure passed 5–2.
The Surfside Beach Town Council voted 5–2 to approve a revised golf-cart ordinance (Ordinance 25-0990) after a lengthy discussion about what “nighttime” means and how the town should enforce vehicle lighting and safety requirements.
During public comment residents gave conflicting views on expanded hours. A resident who identified his address as 8619 4th Avenue North urged the council to restrict hours, saying, “Cut it off at 11. Cut it off at midnight,” and warned that retrofitting costs must be weighed against the cost of a funeral in the event of a fatal crash. Caroline Prablett of 512 13th Avenue North told council the ordinance’s current wording is confusing and may be unenforceable, pointing to two different definitions of “nighttime” in the draft.
Council discussion focused on simplifying definitions and avoiding duplication of state law. The town attorney recommended a streamlined definition: nighttime would run “from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise,” and carts would be allowed to operate year-round and at nighttime only if “permanently equipped with working headlights and taillights which are illuminated during nighttime hours.” Council members debated whether to include broader state statutory language or instead reference state law via links on the town website; several members said referencing, not copying, state code would reduce future maintenance burdens.
Opponents said the ordinance expands risky nighttime use and could increase accidents; supporters said requiring lights and data-driven enforcement would keep residents and visitors safe while supporting local nightlife and tourism. Interim Police Chief Mickel reported the department added golf-cart tracking to its statistics and said there were 11 golf-cart accidents in 2024 and 11 so far in 2025, with six reported injuries this year.
On the final roll call the ordinance passed 5–2 (Yes: Coleman, Walls, Kirkwall, Fallon, Bear Kraft; No: Stamey, Kinken). The council also agreed to publish clear guidance and educational materials on the town website and to refine police reporting categories so future enforcement and impact can be tracked.
The ordinance text approved by council defines nighttime as the period from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise and requires headlights and taillights to be on during that period. The council’s action will take effect as provided in the ordinance and may be modified by future council action if enforcement data indicate adjustments are needed.
