Spring Hill loosens restrictions for golf carts and utility vehicles — What are the new rules?

Golf cart and utility terrain vehicle usage hasn’t increased in the few months following Spring Hill’s expanded ordinance allowing the vehicles on more roads, though local officials expect to see an increase as the weather warms back up.

Still, in November 2025, the Spring Hill City Council approved 6-0 lowering the speed limit to 30 mph on Webster Street, from North Street to Victory Road, and Victory Road, south to 226th Street, allowing golf cart access on those roads. In the same measure, the city council added an ordinance for work site-vehicles and Utility Terrain Vehicles, or UTVs.

“Honestly, we haven’t had very much golf cart or UTV traffic because it’s winter,” said Spring Hill Police Captain Adam Khan. “We haven’t had a lot of questions about it. I’ve had a few citizens come up to me and say, ‘Hey, what are some of the requirements?’”

Regardless of vehicle type, drivers must be at least 16 years old with a valid, unrestricted driver’s license and have insurance.

New golf cart rules included in the approved ordinance:

• The maximum street speed where golf carts can operate is now 30 mph.
• Golf carts are allowed on designated streets with speed limits up to 30 mph
• Drivers of golf carts must stay as close to the right side of the road as possible.

Additionally, golf carts are prohibited on sidewalks or trails. They can also only be used from sunrise to sunset, unless the golf cart has motorcycle-style lighting. Golf carts are also required to display a “slow-moving vehicle” emblem on the back.

Under the new work site-vehicle and UTV ordinance:

1. UTVs are now allowed on designated streets with speed limits up to 45 mph.
2. UTVs must have lights, turn signals, reflectors, and rearview and side mirrors.
3. Drivers must have insurance and a valid, unrestricted driver’s license.
4. Crossing U.S. Highway 169 is prohibited.

“This is something that we tried a few years ago with the golf carts,” then-Mayor Joe Berkey said at the Nov. 13 meeting. “We didn’t have golf carts [allowances] and since we passed that, I think it’s been a big success overall. So this [allowing UTVs] was kind of the next step.”