Common Garage Setups for Golf Carts
Most homes store a cart in one of three ways: a separate golf cart garage, a deeper "extended" or tandem bay, or a spot beside the car in a regular garage. Each can work, depending on your cart and your car.
- Golf cart garage. A small extra bay, often with its own narrower door, sized for a cart instead of a car. It keeps the cart out of the way of your car.
- Extended or tandem bay. A deeper garage bay. The cart parks in front of or behind the car. This saves width, but you may have to move one to use the other.
- Shared two-car garage. The cart parks in one bay or squeezes in beside a car. This can be tight with a larger car or a longer cart.
A "golf cart garage" may not fit every cart, so measure.
Measure Your Cart, Then the Garage
Golf carts come in very different sizes, so start with your own cart's length, width, and height. Here are examples from manufacturer spec sheets:
| Cart (example) | Seats | Length | Width | Height with roof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club Car Onward 2 Passenger | 2 | 91.5 in | 48.75 in | 71 in |
| E-Z-GO Liberty (2026) | 4 | 106 in | 48 to 52.5 in | 76 to 76.5 in |
| E-Z-GO Express S6 (2024) | 6 | 142.8 to 144.5 in | 49 to 51 in | 74.5 in |
Sources: Club Car Onward 2 Passenger specifications; E-Z-GO 2026 Liberty specs; E-Z-GO MY24 Express S6 specs.
That's more than four feet of difference in length. Lifted carts, bigger tires, roofs, and enclosures can add height. Mirrors and add-ons can add width. Measure your cart as it is equipped today.
At the home, measure:
- Door opening width and height. Measure the actual opening, not the door panel. Compare it with your cart's widest point and its height with the roof.
- Inside depth. Measure from the door to the back wall, minus anything in the way, like steps, a water heater, or shelves.
- Room to move. You'll want space to get in and out of the seat and walk around the cart, especially if you use a cane or walker.
- Overhead clearance. Check the garage door rails and opener when the door is open.
Charging: Outlets and Safety
Plan to charge in the garage on a properly installed, grounded outlet, and follow your charger's instructions exactly. For example, the E-Z-GO Express S6 ELiTE owner's manual says to use a dedicated 15 amp circuit for its off-board charger. It also says not to use a power strip or multi-plug adapter, not to use ground adapters, and to keep the charger raised off the ground with air flowing around it (E-Z-GO owner's manual). Your cart may differ, so check your own manual.
When you tour, check where the outlet is, whether the cord can reach without crossing a walkway, and whether a freezer or other appliance shares it. If you're unsure, ask a licensed electrician to check the outlet and circuit.
Lithium vs. Lead-Acid: What Changes in the Garage
Both battery types can be charged safely at home, but they need slightly different care. Check your battery label or manual to see which you have.
- Lead-acid. These batteries give off gas while charging. Battery maker Trojan says it is critical to charge them in a well-ventilated area, and to keep sparks and flames away (Trojan Battery User's Guide). Federal workplace safety rules also require ventilation in battery charging areas (OSHA 1910.178(g)). Flooded lead-acid batteries also need regular watering.
- Lithium-ion. The U.S. Fire Administration says not to charge lithium-ion batteries below 32°F or above 105°F. It also says to store them away from anything that can burn, and to stop using them if you notice an odor, heat, swelling, leaking, or odd noises (USFA).
Florida garages get hot in summer. Keep the cart and charger away from gas cans, paint, and other things that burn.
Storing Your Cart When You're Away for the Summer
Before you leave, set up the battery for storage the way the maker recommends, and arrange for someone to check it. Instructions differ by battery type.
Lead-acid. Trojan's guide says to charge batteries before storage, keep them cool and dry, and disconnect them to stop slow drains. It says to check flooded batteries every 4 to 6 weeks, and every 2 to 4 weeks when stored above 90°F, and to recharge when they fall to 70 percent charge (Trojan). Some owners use a charger with a maintenance mode. Ask your cart dealer what is approved for your batteries.
Lithium. One example: the E-Z-GO ELiTE manual says to store the cart at 30 to 50 percent charge in hot climates, turn off accessories, remove the key, set the run/tow switch to its storage position, and check the charge every 30 days (E-Z-GO). Other brands have their own rules.
Leave written instructions for whoever checks on your home. If your home is in The Villages, the districts' Community Watch offers house check and out-of-area programs for residents who are away (district FAQ).
Security
Keep the cart in a locked garage, take the key with you, and keep a record of the serial number and photos. Both the Sumter County Sheriff's Office and the Wildwood Police Department offer free, voluntary golf cart registration programs to help identify a cart if it is lost or stolen (Sumter County Sheriff's Office; Wildwood Police Department).
Deed Restrictions and Community Rules
Before you add a cart door, extend a garage, or change the outside of a home, find out what approvals you need. In The Villages, residents must submit an Architectural Review application and get approval before doing any outside modification (district FAQ). Other communities may have a homeowners association with its own rules. Ask for the deed restrictions and rules before you buy, and check with the city or county building department about permits.
Hurricane Season
A garage is usually the safest place for your cart during a storm, so make sure the cart and car can both fit inside. For storm steps, read our hurricane prep guide for golf cart owners.
Touring Checklist
Bring a tape measure and your cart's measurements.
- What type of garage is it: cart garage, extended bay, or shared?
- Does the door opening fit your cart's width and height with the roof?
- Is the bay deep enough, with room to walk around the cart?
- Is there a grounded outlet near where the cart will park, and is it shared with other appliances?
- Is there ventilation if you have lead-acid batteries?
- Will the cart and car both fit inside during a storm?
- What do the deed restrictions or HOA rules say about garages, carts, and changes?
- Who could check your battery if you're away for the summer?
For more on how carts fit into daily life, read Living by Golf Cart in Central Florida.