Catalina Island Golf Cart Laws (2026)

Catalina Island is one of the few places in the United States where a golf cart is the standard mode of transportation, not just a recreational option. The City of Avalon limits each residence to one autoette (the local term for a golf cart) and caps the vehicle length at 130 inches. Full-size automobiles require a permit with a waiting list that stretches over 20 years. Golf carts, by contrast, are available to every household and are how most residents get around. Visitors can rent golf carts by the hour (with a 2-hour maximum) to explore the town. The island is managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy, which controls access to roads beyond the city limits.

• Golf carts are called autoettes in Avalon's municipal code
• Each Avalon residence is limited to one autoette
• Maximum vehicle length: 130 inches (including bumpers), carrying no more than 6 passengers
• Annual registration with the City of Avalon is required ($50 fee)
• A valid California driver's license is required
• Golf carts must stay on paved roads within the City of Avalon at all times
• Full-size vehicles require a separate permit with a 20+ year waiting list. Golf carts are the practical alternative
• Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers
• Children under 60 pounds or under age 6 must be in a child restraining seat with an adult next to them
• Rental carts have a 2-hour maximum rental period
• Downtown overnight parking prohibited: carts may park downtown from 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM only

• Crescent Avenue - the main waterfront street along Avalon Harbor; the center of shops, restaurants, and the ferry terminal
• Catalina Avenue - runs inland from the harbor past residential areas
• Metropole Avenue - parallel to Crescent, one block inland; connects to residential neighborhoods
• Pebbly Beach Road - leads east from Avalon toward Descanso Beach and the Casino
• Avalon Canyon Road - goes inland toward the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden
• Roads beyond the City of Avalon are controlled by the Catalina Island Conservancy and generally require separate access permits
• The island interior is largely undeveloped. Most cart travel stays within the roughly 1-square-mile City of Avalon

• Rent a golf cart near the ferry terminal to explore Avalon. The 2-hour maximum is enough to see the town, the Casino, and Descanso Beach
• Residents are limited to one cart per home. If you buy property on Catalina, budget for the $50 annual registration and choose your cart carefully
• Full-size car permits have a 20+ year waiting list. This is not a joke. Golf carts are how almost everyone gets around
• The 130-inch length limit is strictly enforced. If you are shopping for a cart, measure before you buy
• Downtown parking is allowed from 6 AM to 2 AM. Do not leave your cart parked downtown overnight
• Roads outside the City of Avalon are managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy. You typically need a separate permit to access the interior. Most golf cart travel stays within Avalon