New golf cart regulations, post-midnight ban unanimously passed by Cayce council

Under a new city ordinance, golf cart drivers in Cayce will be limited to secondary streets with speed limits of 35 miles per hour, along with a ban on operation between midnight and 6 a.m.

Drivers will need functional headlights and taillights after sunset and before sunrise and will still be permitted to cross at intersections where higher speed limits exist.

Cayce’s secondary streets include local and residential roadways such as Axtell Drive and Naples Avenue in the Avenues of Cayce area, Old Dunbar Road, Old State Road and State Street. The ordinance notably restricts golf carts from primary four-lane roads such as Knox Abbot Drive and Charleston Highway.

At a June 11 meeting, the new ordinance was unanimously approved after its second reading by the four-member council and Mayor Elise Partin. It became effective immediately upon approval, as confirmed by city spokesperson Karly Shorter via text.

Cayce council member Byron Thomas said he spearheaded the legislation after a 2025 state law was passed allowing municipalities greater freedom in regulating golf cart use.

Thomas said one of the main changes he wanted to make was to provide greater clarity in what hours golf carts could be used.

“Golf carts had to follow what the state recommended which was golf carts had to be driven during the daytime, which caused a lot of confusion,” Thomas said. “The sun doesn’t go down in some parts until 9 or 10 o-clock.”

Jessica Corley, an attorney who’s lived in Cayce for 10 years and frequently enjoys family outings on her golf cart, said she fully supported the ordinance.

“I’m really happy with the changes,” Corley said. “Now that we have lights on the golf cart, we can use it till midnight. That’s great, especially for the summertime.”

Thomas also said it was important to both get rid of a rule limiting golf carts to within four miles of the owner’s address and clarify which intersections can be used.

“People can cross over Knox Abbott and State Street and they can easily get to the CVS, they can get to El Jimador, Marco’s Pizza and Lizard’s Thicket,” Thomas said. “There are a lot of places you can get to in our city by using the secondary roads and just crossing over the highways.”

Corley said she appreciated the clear boundaries, is excited to drive to local restaurants and feels the greater autonomy bolsters the community.

“There are plenty of streets in Cayce that at 35 miles and under,” Corley said. “I think it’s really a step in the right direction to help families have a good time and have another thing they can do in the area.”