SC Lawmakers Seek to Limit Local Golf Cart Restrictions Around College Stadiums

New bill would override local authority to regulate golf carts near Clemson and USC football games.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:05am

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The South Carolina House has passed a bill that would limit the ability of local governments to restrict the use of golf carts on public roads within a half-mile radius of large college sports stadiums, such as those at the University of South Carolina and Clemson University. The bill, H.4688, would override local ordinances that aimed to regulate golf carts in these areas, particularly around football games.

Why it matters

This bill represents an ongoing pattern of the state legislature in South Carolina seeking to limit the authority of local governments, even in cases where local officials have taken modest steps to address specific community concerns. The golf cart issue highlights the tension between statewide uniformity in traffic laws and the ability of local governments to respond to unique local conditions.

The details

Last year, the state legislature gave cities and counties the power to restrict the use of golf carts on public roads. However, the new H.4688 bill would override this local authority within a half-mile radius of college sports stadiums that seat at least 19,000 people, such as the football stadiums at USC and Clemson. The bill was originally intended to simply clarify that the requirement for children to wear seatbelts in golf carts does not apply when the carts are crossing roads during a round of golf. But an amendment was added to also allow golf cart 'taxis' to operate in these areas around game days, even though such services are illegal most other places due to restrictions on operating golf carts more than 4 miles from the driver's home.

  • Last year, the state legislature gave cities and counties the power to restrict golf carts on public roads.
  • Last week, the South Carolina House unanimously passed H.4688, which would override local authority to regulate golf carts near large college sports stadiums.

The players

H.4688

A bill passed by the South Carolina House that would limit the ability of local governments to restrict golf cart use on public roads within a half-mile radius of large college sports stadiums.

Chris Wooten

A South Carolina state representative who proposed an amendment to H.4688 to allow golf cart 'taxis' to operate around college sports venues.

Todd Rutherford

A South Carolina state representative who co-sponsored the amendment to H.4688 allowing golf cart taxis, and who has previously pushed for state laws regulating golf carts in Richland County.

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What’s next

The bill now moves to the South Carolina Senate for consideration.

The takeaway

This bill highlights the ongoing tension in South Carolina between the state legislature's desire for uniform traffic laws and local governments' ability to address unique community concerns. The golf cart issue is the latest example of the state seeking to limit local authority, even when local officials have taken modest steps to regulate these vehicles.