Important Update: Rental Golf Cart Parking License Program

Dear Members,

As we enter our third season operating Fripp Island Resort, we remain committed to enhancing the experience for homeowners, guests, and visitors alike. With that in mind, we want to share an important update regarding parking for rental carts on Resort property.

This information does not apply to personally owned golf carts belonging to members or their rental guests. Instead, the new Parking License Program applies solely to carts rented or leased from third-party golf cart rental companies operating on Fripp Island and utilizing Resort property. If you rent your home, we encourage you to share this information with your guests to ensure a smooth and enjoyable stay.

Supporting Vacation Rentals on Fripp Island

We all recognize the vital role vacation rentals play in making Fripp Island a desirable and welcoming destination. Many of you have made significant investments in your rental homes, and in turn, we have been committed to strengthening Fripp Island’s appeal. Since acquiring Fripp Island Resort in 2023, we have enhanced infrastructure, improved amenities, and invested over a million dollars annually in marketing to promote the island as a top-tier vacation spot. These efforts have already shown great results—rental revenue booked at Resort-managed vacation homes for 2025 is currently 18% ahead of the same time last year.

While these investments directly benefit homeowners and vacationers, they also create valuable opportunities for businesses that serve the rental market, such as golf cart rental companies. To ensure Fripp Island continues to grow and thrive, we believe that all businesses and entities benefiting from visitor spending should play a role in supporting the island’s long-term success.

Golf Cart Rental Companies & Resort Parking

As Fripp Island’s popularity continues to grow, golf cart rental companies will benefit from the increased number of visitors. While these businesses play an important role in enhancing the guest experience, they do not currently contribute to the ongoing maintenance and improvements that keep the island and its amenities thriving.

To ensure a fair and sustainable approach moving forward, we are implementing a Parking License Program for rental golf carts owned by 3^rd parties that utilize Resort-owned parking areas. This initiative is designed to address two key considerations:

Fairness – Currently, the costs of infrastructure upgrades and amenity enhancements are covered by Resort owners, members, and rental guests, while third-party cart rental companies benefit without contributing financially.
Sustainability – Continuous investments are essential to maintaining Fripp Island’s charm and appeal. Ensuring all businesses benefiting from these improvements contribute will help support the long-term success of the island.

New Golf Cart Parking License Requirement

To address these concerns, beginning April 1, 2025, non-Resort rental golf carts must have an annual parking license to park in designated Resort-owned parking areas. This program was first announced during our virtual town hall meeting last fall, and over the past six weeks, we have been working closely with the local golf cart rental companies to finalize terms of the program.

Each cart rental company is responsible for acquiring an annual license for individual carts in their fleet. This license will allow vacation renters using these rental carts to park in designated Resort-owned parking areas while utilizing Resort amenities. Each licensed cart will display a sticker with a unique identification number. Rental guests will not be required to pay the Resort directly for parking, as the cart rental company will have already covered the licensing fee. Carts without a valid license sticker will not be permitted to park in designated Resort-owned lots.

Participating Golf Cart Rental Companies

We are pleased to report that five out of seven golf cart rental companies that service Fripp have agreed to participate in this program. When combined with the Resort’s rental carts, these five companies represent the vast majority of rental carts available to Fripp visitors. Ten percent of the license program proceeds will be donated to the Fripp Island Property Owners Association for infrastructure projects, with the remainder funding Resort improvements to sustain and enhance Fripp Island’s critical vacation rental market. The participating companies that will have parking licenses are below:

Participating Companies (Parking Access Granted):

Beaufort Carts
Island Cart Rental
Sutcliffe Carts
Island Spirit Carts
Full Tilt Carts

We are pleased to partner with these golf cart rental companies and appreciate their support and participation.

What This Means for Renters

If your guests plan to visit Fripp, utilize Resort amenities, and rent a golf cart, we highly recommend that they understand which rental companies have parking access. Carts rented from non-participating companies will not be allowed to park in designated Resort-owned parking areas, including but not limited to:

The Beach Club
Tennis Club
Cabana Club
Activity Center
Creek House
Portions of the Marina Village
Wardle’s Landing
Ocean Creek Golf Course
Ocean Point Golf Course
Ocean Point Pool

This list is subject to change based on operational needs.

Enforcement Measures

The program will be strictly enforced. Beginning April 1, 2025, non-Resort rental carts without a valid parking license sticker found in designated Resort-owned parking areas will be towed. The cart rental company will be required to pay a fee to release the cart and may incur additional charges if the towed cart remains in storage for an extended period. The two companies that chose not to participate are fully aware of this policy and understand their responsibility to inform their rental customers about parking restrictions.

Minimizing Guest Disruptions

We are also taking several measures to ensure vacation renters are aware of this policy. To minimize potential inconveniences:

We will provide members who rent their homes with a guest communication summary they may share with renters.
Vacation rental property management companies will also receive the summary communication to help inform guests.
The Fripp Island Resort website and rental platforms will communicate this policy.
On-site signage will be updated to inform visitors about designated parking rules.
Resort staff will be available to help and answer any questions about the parking policy.

We share the same goal as all homeowners who rent their properties—to provide renters with the best possible experience on Fripp Island and at the Resort.

Thank you for your support in maintaining and improving Fripp Island’s infrastructure and visitor experience. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.