North Augusta Proposes Golf Cart Rules With 11 p.m. Curfew and Safety Requirements

North Augusta City Council held its first vote on a golf cart ordinance on Dec. 1, 2025, that would let carts operate until 11 p.m. with restrictions. The measure will likely pass before the end of the year.

South Carolina's updated statute regulating golf carts became effective May of last year. The state law requires anyone 12 and under to wear a seat belt, drivers to be at least 16 with a valid license, and all carts to be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. These requirements stay in place regardless of local laws.

The ordinance will restrict carts from being driven more than 4 miles of their registered address. Carts will be banned from sidewalks, trails including the Greeneway, public parks, and private property without the owner's permission.

Kelly Zier, city attorney, said local jurisdictions may "stipulate the hours, methods, and location of golf cart operation." All other state regulations still apply.

Mayor Briton Williams said the ordinance was driven by questions about late-night use, especially near Riverside Village, where most Minor League Baseball games start at 7 p.m. Public Safety Chief Junior Johnson said state law would restrict carts to daytime hours only if the city didn't create its own rules.

The proposed ordinance would allow carts on secondary highways of 35 mph or less. Georgia Avenue, Martintown Road, and Belvedere Clearwater would be off-limits as primary highways. Although crossing a primary highway would still be allowed, said Chief Johnson.

Nighttime use up until 11 p.m. requires working headlights and taillights, brake lights, a rear-facing mirror, and front, side, and rear reflectors.

"North Augusta's a very unique city with our baseball stadium — most of those games start at 7 o'clock, end between 9:30 and 10," Chief Johnson said, according to The Post and Courier. "What this does is allow people that live close to there that don't have to get on a primary highway to drive a golf cart down to the game and go back home."

Violations would carry a $100 fine. A full copy of the draft ordinance is available on the city website.