Mayoral Minutes

September 2025 - At our August City Council Meeting, Fountain Inn gave first reading on a new golf cart ordinance, it will be back on our agenda for second and final reading at our September meeting.

Last legislative session, the SC Legislature approved, and the Governor signed, a bill adjusting the state’s golf cart law. The update provided for a few changes statewide including requiring seat belts for any passenger under the age of 12, but it also allows for cities to approve additional laws and regulations to match their community. 

Golf cart usage in Fountain Inn has been on the rise the last few years. During our Sounds of Summer concert series the last few months, you’d find about two dozen golf carts parked in dedicated parking near our amphitheater, and more parked around downtown. You’ll see them frequently around our community every day of the week - in fact, as I’m writing this, our family’s cart is parked outside my office (the weather was too nice to pass up using the cart instead the truck). 

Fountain Inn’s proposed ordinance would maintain much of the state’s laws (e.g. children under 12 must have a seat belt, all carts must be registered and insured, etc), but also would do the following:

● Permits the operation of golf carts on all roadways with speed limits 35mph or less.

● Permits golf carts to be operated at night (until 11:00PM), but requires carts to have working taillights, headlights, and turn signals.

Additionally, at our August meeting two other topics were brought up that are likely to be discussed and potentially included for the final version:

● Providing greater clarity on enforcement of dedicated golf cart parking spots for our Police Department.

● Restricting golf cart usage on Highway 418 specifically, even in areas where speed is 35mph or less, due to the volume of truck traffic along that road. (There was discussion on how to provide access for individuals at the northern end of 418 to get to downtown through alternative routes - something that may also be addressed.)

City Council will consider a final version at the September 11 Council Meeting. Note that action may include approval/denial, amendments, and/or postponement. 

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