CAPE CHARLES, Va. — As golf cart use continues to grow in Cape Charles, town officials are exploring ways to make downtown parking more efficient by establishing designated golf cart parking spaces in the central business district.
Golf carts have become an increasingly common sight on town streets, particularly during the busy tourist season. However, existing state parking regulations present challenges when it comes to accommodating the smaller vehicles in traditional parking spaces.
Under current regulations, golf carts must park in the same manner as automobiles, parallel to the 20-foot length of a standard 10-by-20-foot parking space. Parking golf carts perpendicular to the curb in these spaces is prohibited.
This requirement can lead to inefficient use of valuable downtown parking. A single standard parking space that accommodates one golf cart under current rules could potentially hold three or four golf carts if perpendicular parking were permitted.
To address the issue, the Cape Charles Town Council has requested that staff identify potential locations for designated golf cart parking in the central business district.
Town staff have identified three possible locations near the intersections of Mason Avenue with Peach Street, Strawberry Street and Pine Street.
The proposed locations include the west side of Peach Street and the east sides of Strawberry and Pine streets. These locations were selected in part to avoid conflicts with delivery vehicles, which frequently use the opposite sides of those streets.
Creating designated golf cart parking areas could allow the town to accommodate more vehicles within its existing downtown parking footprint without significantly reducing the number of spaces available for automobiles.
However, implementing the changes would require approval from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Once the Town Council determines its preferred locations, the town would need to obtain VDOT authorization and restripe the designated spaces to accommodate golf carts.
The proposal also overlaps with a broader discussion about parking configurations along Mason Avenue.
Council is considering an alternative that would modify the existing Mason Avenue parking pattern to include parallel golf cart parking spaces along the south side of the street. If that approach moves forward, the separate designated golf cart parking areas at Peach, Strawberry and Pine streets may no longer be necessary.
The discussion highlights a growing challenge for Cape Charles as golf carts become an increasingly popular means of transportation for residents and visitors. While the smaller vehicles can reduce the need for traditional automobile parking, existing parking regulations can prevent the town from taking full advantage of their compact size.
For now, the proposed locations remain under consideration. Council must determine which approach best balances golf cart parking, automobile parking, delivery access and overall traffic circulation before seeking the necessary state approvals.
The decision could help shape how Cape Charles manages its limited downtown parking as golf cart use continues to increase.
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