Golf-cart paths and second driveways: the approvals are the project
The pad is easy. The committee and the curb cut are not.
- First question
- The association's rule on cart pads and second driveways
- Second
- The city or county at the street
- Spec
- 4 in. concrete or pavers on 4 in. base, 5 to 6 ft wide
- Where
- Venice, Wellen Park, North Port, The Meadows, Palmer Ranch, Rotonda
Can I add a golf-cart path or pad at my Sarasota-area home?
On the lot, usually, with ARC approval; at the street, only if the community allows a second access and the jurisdiction approves the apron. Venice, Wellen Park, Venice Golf & Country Club, Rotonda West and several Palmer Ranch and Meadows sections are cart-friendly on their own paths, but a cart pad that widens the driveway past the garage wall line or adds a curb cut is the change committees deny most. Build the pad inside the line, in the driveway's material, and submit the packet.
The construction is trivial: a cart weighs less than a car, so 4 inches of concrete or pavers on 4 inches of base at 5 to 6 feet wide carries it. The approvals are the project.
Where carts are common
| Community | Cart use | Hardscape note |
|---|---|---|
| Wellen Park (Venice and North Port sides) | Community paths; street-legal LSVs on some streets | Village ARC; two permit offices |
| Venice Golf & Country Club, Pelican Pointe | Cart living on course streets | Club and HOA rules on pads |
| The Meadows | Course paths | Master and sub-association |
| Rotonda West | Course communities | Association deed restrictions |
| Venice Island and Historic Downtown | City-designated streets | City right-of-way review |
Questions we get about this
Does a golf-cart path or driveway widening need approval in Venice-area communities?
Yes, from the association first: cart pads and second driveways are among the most common ARC denials because they change the streetscape. Then from the city or county for anything at the street, where Venice requires engineering review and North Port a Right of Way Use Permit.
Do golf-cart communities in Venice allow a second driveway for the cart?
Some do, with rules on width, material and placement; many allow a cart pad beside the main driveway inside the garage wall line but not a second curb cut. The community's current guideline is the only source that counts.
What's the spec for a cart path?
Four inches of broom concrete or concrete pavers on 4 inches of compacted base, 5 to 6 feet wide, sloped to drain; a cart weighs less than a car, so the driveway spec is more than enough.
Last reviewed September 10, 2026 by the Sarasota Concrete editorial team (author name pending owner input).