Can you drive a golf cart in Surf City, NC, and what insurance do you need?
On Topsail Island, Surf City relies on state low-speed vehicle rules rather than a town golf cart permit.
Surf City's code has no golf cart permit, so a plain golf cart has no town approval to use public streets. A street-legal low-speed vehicle (LSV) with a state plate may use roads posted 35 mph or less and must carry North Carolina auto liability insurance.
The town supports the safe use of street-legal LSVs and regulates the businesses that rent them. If you own an LSV or rent one to guests, insure it for that use.
Coverage for Surf City LSVs and carts
Liability. Required by state law for a registered LSV, at least 50/100/50 on policies new or renewed on or after July 1, 2025. Higher limits protect you if a passenger or cyclist is hurt. Forms, limits and exclusions vary by insurance company, and your own policy governs.
Collision and comprehensive. Covers your LSV after a crash, theft, vandalism, fire and many weather events. Island storage under raised houses adds storm exposure.
Medical payments. Pays medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist. Protects you when a car driver with no or too little insurance hits you.
Accessories. Covers lights, belts, windshield and other LSV equipment, plus upgrades such as lithium batteries and enclosures.
Off-street golf cart use. A plain golf cart used only on private property or a course can be covered by a golf cart policy. Homeowners coverage is often limited.
What it usually does not cover
- A plain golf cart driven on public streets, which has no town permit path in Surf City.
- Renting an LSV to guests on a personal policy.
- Most homeowners policies once the vehicle is on a public street.
- Wear, tear and battery failure.
- Driving on town bikeways or the beach strand, which the town code does not allow for private vehicles.
Forms, endorsements and availability vary by insurance company. Your own policy governs.
Who needs it in Surf City
- Owners of registered LSVs on the island and the mainland side of town.
- Vacation rental owners who leave an LSV for guests.
- LSV rental and service businesses (commercial coverage).
- Owners who use a plain golf cart only on private property.
Surf City rules and local facts
No town golf cart permit. Surf City's traffic and motor vehicle chapter contains no golf cart registration or permit article (Surf City Code Ch. 17). State law lets a town allow carts on streets only by ordinance (G.S. 160A-300.6), so street use in Surf City means a registered LSV (G.S. 20-121.1).
Town policy supports street-legal LSVs. Surf City's land use plan states that the town supports the safe operation of street-legal low-speed vehicles, and the planning board used that policy in 2025 to take up LSV rentals in the zoning code (Planning Board, March 13, 2025).
LSV rental businesses. LSVs must meet state law. Rental and maintenance must take place inside a permanent building with restrooms, storage must be screened from the street and from homes, and no vehicle may be stored in the public right-of-way (UDO Sec. 5.11(D)).
Island state highways stayed open to LSVs. In 2019 the council heard Resolution 2019-15, a request for the state to ban LSVs on state-maintained roads in town limits, and voted not to adopt it (Council minutes, June 4, 2019). LSVs remain limited to roads posted 35 mph or less (G.S. 20-121.1).
No motorized vehicles on bikeways. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on all town bikeways, except emergency and authorized maintenance vehicles (Sec. 17-162).
Beach strand. The town code lists police, fire, rescue, town maintenance, town contractors and permitted storm recovery or beach restoration vehicles as the vehicles permitted on the beach (Sec. 4-33).
Topsail Beach. Topsail Beach police apply the state LSV rules: LSVs must be registered and insured and may use only roads posted 35 mph or less (Topsail Beach Police).
What drives the cost in Surf City
These are the factors insurance companies weigh for Surf City LSVs and carts:
- Registered LSV or off-street golf cart
- Value of the vehicle and its equipment
- Drivers in the household and their records
- Guest or vacation rental use
- Island storage and storm exposure
- Liability limits and deductibles
- Claims history
We do not publish average prices. A licensed advisor quotes your actual situation across more than 100 insurance companies.
Common Questions
Can you drive a golf cart in Surf City, NC?
A plain golf cart has no town permit to use public streets. A street-legal LSV with a state plate may use roads posted 35 mph or less.
Do you need insurance on a golf cart in Surf City?
A registered LSV must carry North Carolina auto liability insurance. A cart used only on private property has no state requirement, but liability coverage still protects you.
Are golf carts allowed on Topsail Island?
Street-legal LSVs are allowed on roads posted 35 mph or less under state law. Each island town sets its own rules, so check Surf City, Topsail Beach and North Topsail Beach separately.
What are the golf cart rules in Topsail Beach?
Topsail Beach police apply the state LSV rules: registered, insured and limited to roads posted 35 mph or less. Ask the town about anything beyond that.
Can you drive a golf cart on the bike path in Surf City?
No. The town code prohibits motorized vehicles on all town bikeways.
Can you drive a golf cart on the beach in Surf City?
No. The town code limits beach driving to emergency, town, contractor and permitted storm or restoration vehicles.
Can I rent a golf cart in Surf City?
Rental businesses rent street-legal LSVs that must meet state law, and the town regulates where those businesses operate. Renters drive under the business's rules and insurance terms.
Can I leave an LSV for my rental guests in Surf City?
Yes, but tell us first. Personal policies often exclude rental use, and you need liability that follows guest drivers.
How do you make a golf cart street legal in Surf City?
Have a licensed manufacturer upfit it to LSV standards with a VIN, insure it, and register it with the DMV. There is no town permit to get.
The Bottom Line
- Tell us whether you own a registered LSV or an off-street golf cart.
- Tell us before guests or renters drive it.
- Keep LSV insurance continuous so the plate stays valid.
- Stay off bikeways and the beach strand.
- Carry more than minimum liability if you carry passengers often.
- Tell us if you store the vehicle under a raised house during storm season.
Forms, endorsements and availability vary by insurance company. Your own policy governs.
Sizemore Insurance is an independent insurance company founded in North Carolina in 1977. Tell us what you need to protect, and a licensed advisor will compare more than 100 insurance companies to find the coverage that fits. Insurance made just for you.
Sources: Surf City Code Chapter 17, traffic and motor vehicles; G.S. 160A-300.6, city regulation of golf carts on streets; G.S. 20-121.1, operation of low-speed vehicles; Surf City Planning Board packet, March 13, 2025 (land use plan Policy 4.1.T); Surf City UDO Sec. 5.11(D), low-speed vehicle businesses; Surf City Town Council minutes, June 4, 2019 (Resolution 2019-15); Surf City Code Sec. 17-162, bikeway rules; Surf City Code Sec. 4-33, vehicles permitted on the beach; Topsail Beach Police, golf carts and low-speed vehicles.
Forms, exclusions, endorsements, and availability vary by insurance company. This page is general information, not a policy or legal advice. Review your own policy or talk to your advisor.