# Golf Cart Homes

> Free, plain-language, informational guides to golf cart living in Central Florida (Lake, Sumter, and Marion Counties), including the towns in and around The Villages. Built from Florida Statutes, county codes, and official city, state, and federal sources. Not legal, tax, insurance, or real estate advice.

Golf Cart Homes is independent. It is not a real estate brokerage and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Villages or any developer. Contact and corrections: hello@golfcarthomes.com.

## Key facts (as stated in the guides, with sources linked on each page)
- A Florida golf cart is a vehicle not capable of going faster than 20 mph (F.S. 320.01(22)). It may use only public roads a county or city has designated and signed for carts, with narrow exceptions (F.S. 316.212).
- Golf carts may be driven only between sunrise and sunset unless the local government allows night driving and the cart has headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a windshield (F.S. 316.212(5)).
- Golf cart drivers under 18 need a learner's license or driver license; drivers 18 and older need a government-issued photo ID (F.S. 316.212(7)).
- Golf carts can't be titled or registered in Florida. A low-speed vehicle (top speed over 20 mph, up to 25 mph, F.S. 320.01(41)) must be titled, registered, and insured, needs a licensed driver, and may use streets posted 35 mph or less (F.S. 316.2122).
- The Villages is a census designated place, not an incorporated city. It spans parts of Sumter, Lake, and Marion Counties.
- Census Bureau estimates for July 1, 2025: Ocala 71,753; Leesburg 38,905; Wildwood 19,436; Lady Lake 17,496; Fruitland Park 9,543.
- Community development district bond and maintenance assessments are non-ad valorem charges on the county tax bill, so a homestead exemption does not lower them (F.S. 190.021, 197.3632).
- Florida Amendment 3 (November 3, 2026 ballot) would raise the non-school homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. It needs at least 60 percent of the vote to pass. It is a proposal, not current law.
- The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. A golf cart that has sat in flood water should not be charged or driven.

## Guides
- [What Is a Golf Cart Community? A Plain-English Guide for Florida Buyers](https://golfcarthomes.com/what-is-a-golf-cart-community/): Neighborhoods built for everyday cart trips. Florida golf carts can't go faster than 20 mph and may use only roads a city or county has designated and signed.
- [Living by Golf Cart in Central Florida: What to Know Before You Buy](https://golfcarthomes.com/living-by-golf-cart-central-florida/): Gas vs. electric carts, golf carts vs. LSVs (20 to 25 mph, titled and insured), paths, tunnels, and why a home's exact location decides how far you can go.
- [Florida Golf Cart Rules Explained: Carts, Low-Speed Vehicles, and Where You Can Drive](https://golfcarthomes.com/florida-golf-cart-rules/): Golf carts may use only designated, signed roads, in daylight unless local rules allow; under 18 needs a learner's license; LSVs may use streets posted 35 mph or less.
- [Hurricane Prep for Golf Cart Owners: Storing, Charging, and Protecting Your Cart](https://golfcarthomes.com/hurricane-prep-golf-cart/): Charge, then unplug, and park in a garage before a storm; never charge a flooded cart. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. County alert links.
- [Golf Cart Garages and Storage: What to Look for in a Home](https://golfcarthomes.com/golf-cart-garage-storage/): Example carts run 91.5 to 144.5 inches long. Garage types, charging outlets, lithium vs. lead-acid care, summer storage, and a touring checklist.
- [How to Choose the Right Neighborhood in a Large Active Adult Community](https://golfcarthomes.com/choose-neighborhood-active-adult-community/): List your top five weekly destinations, then compare town squares, recreation centers, healthcare, fees and bonds, and flood maps.
- [Wildwood, Lady Lake, Fruitland Park, Leesburg, or Ocala? Comparing Hometowns Near The Villages](https://golfcarthomes.com/nearby-towns-compared/): Wildwood, Lady Lake, Fruitland Park, Leesburg, and Ocala range from 9,543 to 71,753 people (2025 Census estimates), with different counties and cart rules.
- [Understanding Bonds, Special Assessments, and Monthly Fees Before You Buy](https://golfcarthomes.com/bonds-assessments-fees-explained/): CDD bond and maintenance assessments appear on the county tax bill and aren't lowered by homestead. Amenity fees, HOA dues, and how to look them up.
- [Florida Amendment 3 (2026): What the Homestead Proposal Means If You're Moving to Florida](https://golfcarthomes.com/florida-homestead-amendment-3-2026/): On the November 3, 2026 ballot: a $150,000 (2027) and $250,000 (2028) non-school homestead exemption, if at least 60 percent of voters approve.

## About
- [About Golf Cart Homes](https://golfcarthomes.com/about/): what the site is, the area it covers, and what it is not (not a brokerage, not affiliated with any developer).
- [Editorial standards](https://golfcarthomes.com/editorial-standards/): primary sources first, visible published and updated dates, neutral coverage, and corrections by email.
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