[Amended 5-6-1980 by L.L. No. 1-1980]
It shall be unlawful for any taxicab to be operated within the territory of the County of Monroe outside the boundaries of the City of Rochester, unless a county taxicab hack plate shall be properly attached thereto pursuant to this chapter and shall be in effect; provided, however, that this section shall not prevent any taxicab not having attached a hack plate from terminating a fare within the county when such fare commenced within the City of Rochester or from answering a prearranged call in the county so long as such taxicab has a valid City of Rochester hack plate.
[Amended 5-6-1980 by L.L. No. 1-1980]
A. 
A county taxicab hack plate shall be issued by the County Clerk after compliance with the provisions set forth in this chapter and upon approval by the Sheriff and the payment of the required license fee.
B. 
Any person, firm or corporation desiring to secure a hack plate may register his or its name for such purpose with the County Clerk upon payment of a registration fee of $1.50. No person, firm or corporation shall have his or its name appear on the registration list more than once at any given time.
C. 
Application for hack plates shall contain the name and address of the applicant and such other information as the Sheriff may require. An applicant shall certify on said application that he will use said hack plate only on a vehicle that is in good mechanical condition and which meets all of the requirements for vehicles as are hereafter set forth. The Sheriff's Department shall conduct an investigation of each applicant of a hack plate, and the report of said investigation and a copy of the traffic and police record of the applicant, if any, shall be attached to the application for the consideration of the Sheriff.
D. 
An applicant for a hack plate shall notify the County Clerk of any change of address. The offering of a hack plate will be forwarded by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address listed with the County Clerk.
E. 
A taxicab hack plate shall expire on the 30th day of June after issuance, unless revoked, surrendered or abandoned at an earlier time as hereafter provided.
[Amended 2-2-1968 by L.L. No. 1-1968; 6-27-1968 by L.L. No. 7-1968]
The total number of annual county taxicab hack plates that shall be issued by the County of Monroe during any license year shall not exceed 25 county hack plates, in addition to the number of city hack plates, excepting the city seasonal plates. These plates shall be made available to applicants who have complied with the provisions of this chapter as follows:
A. 
County hack plates will be issued with numbers corresponding to the city plates, excepting city seasonal plates, to the persons, firms or corporations who hold such city hack plates. County hack plates shall be attached to taxicabs bearing corresponding city hack plate numbers.
B. 
The 25 county hack plates referred to in this section shall be issued to persons, firms or corporations who are, at the time of adoption of this chapter and have been for six months continuously prior thereto, operators of taxicabs in the County of Monroe outside the City of Rochester, as defined in § 361-3 above. The plates that each such operator may obtain shall equal the number of taxicabs without city hack plates that he may own, operate or control at the time of the adoption of this chapter.
C. 
All applicants for county hack plates shall have a period of 20 days after the effective date of this chapter within which to apply. If no application is made or if any such application is made but rejected for failing to comply with this chapter or if an application is made but not finalized by the applicant, county hack plates remaining unissued may be made available to applicants, who qualify under the law, in the order of registration with the County Clerk.
[Amended 5-6-1980 by L.L. No. 1-1980]
A. 
A taxicab hack plate which has been abandoned, surrendered or revoked may be issued to a person, firm or corporation so registered in the following manner: The County Clerk shall notify by registered mail, return receipt requested, the name of the first person, firm or corporation appearing on the established application list, in the order of registration. The person, firm or corporation shall have 20 days from the date of receipt of such notice to comply with the provisions of this chapter, as hereafter set forth, and to secure such hack plate. If the person so notified fails to complete the application and secure said hack plate within 20 days, the County Clerk may notify the next person, firm or corporation appearing on the list. The registration list shall be considered established upon the date when the hack plate becomes abandoned, surrendered or revoked.
B. 
County hack plates shall be deemed abandoned in the event that the person, firm or corporation to whom such plates were issued fails to use the hack plates for the hours per week prescribed in § 361-17I through L of this chapter, no longer possesses a New York State taxicab registration plate or fails to renew his County of Monroe hack plate within the prescribed period. However, upon a showing of death, serious illness, personal emergency or other good cause, the Sheriff may waive this provision.
C. 
The Sheriff shall notify the holder, in writing, by registered mail, return receipt requested, of the abandonment of a hack plate. A holder so notified shall be given 10 days to request, in writing, a hearing to show why the hack plate should not be deemed abandoned. Upon a showing of serious illness or personal emergency or other good cause, the Sheriff may waive the abandonment.
[Amended 5-6-1980 by L.L. No. 1-1980]
A. 
Should a county hack plate be lost or stolen, the licensee shall immediately report said loss or theft to the County Clerk, who shall issue a replacement upon payment of a fee of $5 and the receipt of an affidavit stating the reason for such replacement.
B. 
The County Clerk shall immediately notify the Sheriff that said replacement has been made and forward said affidavit to him.
[Amended 5-6-1980 by L.L. No. 1-1980]
The holder of a county hack plate shall be permitted to renew the same for a twelve-month period annually, providing all provisions of this chapter have been complied with. The application for such renewal must be filed with the County Clerk not later than the 30th day of June or each successive license year. If the application is not made within said time, the holder will be deemed to have abandoned said county hack plate.
[Amended 5-6-1980 by L.L. No. 1-1980]
A. 
No county hack plate issued pursuant to this chapter or any right or privileges granted herewith shall be assigned or transferred unless the person, partnership, company, firm or corporation holding said hack plate issued shall have held said plate for at least one year prior to the date of application for transfer.
B. 
The Sheriff may, in his discretion, in case of the death or serious illness of the person holding such plate or for other good cause waive this requirement and allow a transfer.
C. 
No transfer shall be allowed at any time without the written approval of the Sheriff, who shall first determine that the transferee meets all the requirements of an initial applicant.
[Amended 9-20-1973 by L.L. No. 7-1973; 5-6-1980 by L.L. No. 1-1980]
A. 
The license fee for each county hack plate shall be $60 annually, to be paid at the time the plate is issued. A hack plate issued after January 1 of a year shall require a license fee of $5.
B. 
Upon issuance of a hack plate, the County Clerk shall also issue a taxicab license certificate to be in a form prescribed by the Sheriff and which shall be carried in the vehicle to which the county hack plate is attached.
C. 
The County Clerk shall keep a record of all county hack plates issued, to whom issued, the location of the office or place of business of the licensee and the hack plate number assigned to the licensee.
D. 
The holder of a hack plate shall notify the Sheriff of any change in business address within 10 days of such change.
[Amended 2-2-1968 by L.L. No. 1-1968; 5-6-1980 by L.L. No. 1-1980]
A. 
Generally. All taxicabs shall be equipped with a taximeter which shall be kept in good operating condition in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. All vehicles that are operated as taxicabs within the County of Monroe shall use a taximeter.
B. 
Taximeters shall be connected with and operated from the transmission of the taxicab to which they are attached. Taximeters shall be of a type which have been approved and certified by the New York State Bureau of Weights and Measures. When the taxicab is transporting passengers for hire, the taximeter shall be engaged at all times unless otherwise provided in this chapter. Taximeters with flags shall be equipped with a flag either painted red or bearing thereupon in letters at least one inch in height the word "vacant" or the words "for hire." The flat post of such flag shall be kept up or toward a vertical position when the taximeter is for hire and shall extend at least five inches above the highest level of the dashboard, and said flag post shall be kept down or toward a horizontal position when such taxicab is engaged. The flag post of such flag shall be kept up or toward a vertical position when the taxicab is for hire and, when in such position, shall extend above the highest level of the dashboard as to be visible from outside the taxicab, and said flag post shall be kept down or toward a horizontal position when such taxicab is engaged. Taximeters shall have a dial or dials which clearly register the tariff in accordance with the established rates of fare. The taximeters shall be so placed that the dial thereof is in plain view of the passenger while riding in such taxicab and upon alighting. Between sunset and sunrise, the face of every taximeter shall be illuminated by suitable light so arranged as to throw a continuous steady light thereon and render the figures of such taximeters readily discernable by any passenger. No person shall use or permit to be used a taximeter on which the seal placed by the County Director of Weights and Measures has been broken. If, for any reason, a seal is broken or removed from a taximeter, the taximeter must be retested and resealed by the County Director of Weights and Measures before the meter is again used. It shall be unlawful to change a taximeter from one vehicle to another or to adjust the operation of the taximeter or to change the size of the gears affecting the operation of the taximeter or to change such gears from one vehicle to another without reinspection and approval by the County Director of Weights and Measures.
C. 
Inspection and seal of taximeters. No taxicab shall be operated within the County of Monroe unless the taximeter therein shall have affixed thereto a seal issued by the County Director of Weights and Measures, certifying that said meter is accurate, which seal shall be currently dated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The owner of the taxicab shall submit his vehicle to the County Director of Weights and Measures for inspection and testing of the taximeter prior to its initial use, prior to its use following the breaking of the taximeter seal and/or repair of the taximeter or changing gears on the same or adjusting the taximeter or moving the taximeter to a new vehicle and at least once every six months thereafter. If a meter is found to be accurate, it must have affixed to it a seal of the County Director of Weights and Measures certifying to such accuracy with the date of inspection. If the County Director of Weights and Measures finds a meter to be inaccurate or damaged, he shall notify, in writing, the holder of the hack plate of such fact. Upon receipt of notice from the County Director of Weights and Measures of an inaccurate or damaged taximeter, no person shall operate such taxicab for hire until the taximeter is repaired and sealed or a new taximeter is installed and sealed. If there is reasonable cause to believe that a taximeter is not correctly calculating fares as prescribed by law, the Sheriff or his deputies or an official of the County Department of Weights and Measures may order an immediate inspection of such taximeter by the Department of Weights and Measures.
D. 
Enforcement of taximeter accuracy, inspection and sealing. The County Director of Weights and Measures or his designated agents shall have the power to enforce the provisions of this chapter with respect to taximeter accuracy, inspection and sealing. Upon a finding of a violation of the provisions of this chapter relating to taximeter inspection, sealing and accuracy or upon a violation of the Agriculture and Markets Law, or both, the County Director of the Department of Weights and Measures may expeditiously cause the violation to be corrected or, where there is evidence of intent to defraud, refer evidence of such violation to the District Attorney for prosecution or, in the absence of intent to defraud, refer evidence of such violation to the County Attorney's office for commencement of a civil action, in the name of the County of Monroe, to recover a civil penalty in the amount prescribed in § 39 of the Agriculture and Markets Law. A cause of action for recovery of such penalty may be released, settled or compromised by the County Director of Weights and Measures before the matter is referred to the County Attorney's office or thereafter by the County Attorney. All moneys collected hereunder shall be retained by the County of Monroe. The County Director of Weights and Measures may promulgate rules and regulations relating to taximeter accuracy, inspection and sealing.
No hack plate issued by the County of Monroe shall be affixed to a vehicle nor shall any taxicab be operated within the County of Monroe unless a certificate is attached to said taxicab, evidencing that said vehicle has passed a standard New York State motor vehicle inspection during the preceding six months and has been found to be in good physical repair and in a safe condition for the transportation of passengers. The Sheriff may make or cause to be made at any time further inspection of any vehicle used as a taxicab in the County of Monroe, excepting solely within the City of Rochester, and if said vehicle is found to have become unsafe, unclean, unhealthy or unsuited for public patronage, he may, in his discretion, order the discontinuance of said vehicle as a taxicab within the County of Monroe, outside of the City of Rochester, and the Sheriff shall notify the Director of Public Safety of the City of Rochester of such order. The Sheriff is hereby authorized and empowered to establish reasonable rules and regulations for the inspection of public vehicles operating in the County of Monroe, excepting solely within the City of Rochester, and their appurtenances, construction, condition and fitness.
[Amended 2-2-1968 by L.L. No. 1-1968; 6-27-1968 by L.L. No. 7-1968; 5-6-1969 by L.L. No. 1-1969; 11-8-1973 by L.L. No. 10-1973; 1-22-1974 by L.L. No. 1-1974; 5-6-1980 by L.L. No. 1-1980; 6-26-1990 by L.L. No. 2-1990, approved 7-18-1990]
A. 
Fares generally.
(1) 
No person, partnership, company, firm or corporation owning, operating or controlling any motor vehicle or taxicab shall let or offer the same for hire, or reward, as a taxicab for a fee or charge unless such fare to be charged shall be computed upon the distance traveled and the time waiting, and which shall not exceed the rates of fare, to be determined by a taximeter, as hereinafter set forth:
[Amended 1-9-2001 by L.L. No. 2-2001, approved 1-18-2001]
(a) 
As an initial charge: $2.20 for the first passenger.
(b) 
Thereafter, for each 1/6 mile or fraction thereof: $0.30.
(c) 
For each additional passenger: $1.25 per passenger.
(d) 
For each time call: a minimum of $3.
(2) 
No charge shall be made for children under six years of age when accompanied by a person paying an adult fare.
(3) 
The driver of a taxicab shall take the most direct possible route in proceeding to the passenger's desired destination.
B. 
Waiting time. Waiting time shall include the time during which the taxicab is not in action beginning with its arrival at the place to which it has been called, or the time consumed while standing at the direction of the passenger, but no charge shall be made for the first five minutes of waiting after arrival or for the time lost by inefficiency of the taxicab or driver or time consumed by the premature arrival in response to a call. All rates are to be based upon the most direct practical route. The meter charge for waiting time shall not exceed $21 per hour.
[Amended 1-9-2001 by L.L. No. 2-2001, approved 1-18-2001]
C. 
Luggage rates. Charges may be made for luggage, trunks and other baggage handling as follows:
(1) 
For each piece of luggage or baggage, including grocery bags, exceeding two per passenger, provided that the driver assists with such items: $0.25.
(2) 
For footlockers and trunks or their equivalent, bicycles or animals (except Seeing Eye dogs): $3 each.
(3) 
For skis and golf bags: $2 each.
D. 
Flat and minimum rates.
(1) 
Flat rates may be charged in the County of Monroe outside the City of Rochester by written contract only, as provided in Subsection F of this section.
(2) 
Minimum rates may be charged for any trip to within the City of Rochester or from the City of Rochester to the following towns and areas (except the airport; see the next subsection):
Location
Fare
Durand Eastman Park
$5.00
Eastway Plaza
$7.00
Chili Center
$7.50
Fairport
$8.00
Jefferson Road
$5.00
Kodak Elmgrove
$6.00
Long Pond Road and Lyell
$5.00
Latta Road
$7.50
Monroe and Clover
$4.50
North Gate Plaza
$7.00
Penfield
$7.00
Pittsford
$6.00
Ridge and Culver
$4.50
Ridgemont Plaza
$7.00
Seabreeze
$6.50
Southtown Plaza
$5.00
Twelve Corners
$3.00
Titus and Cooper
$4.50
Titus and Culver
$5.00
Titus and St. Paul
$4.50
Thruway Exit 46
$8.00
Westgate Plaza
$4.00
Webster
$10.00
West Webster
$7.50
(3) 
The above zone charge is a minimum rate and shall not be added to the meter. The minimum rates provided for the above destinations shall not be added together in traveling from one minimum rate destination point to or through another minimum rate point. If a trip originates at one minimum rate point and terminates at another, the higher or highest of such minimum rates may be charged. The aforementioned designated minimum rate points and their respective minimum rates shall be posted on the rate card in each taxicab and shall at all times be visible to the passenger.
(4) 
Except as provided herein, all trips to or from the Greater Rochester International Airport, to or from any point within the City of Rochester, shall be metered; except that if said meter rate at the point of destination is less than $8.75, a minimum fare of $8.75 may be charged. For each additional passenger, an additional $2.50 may be charged.
[Amended 1-9-2001 by L.L. No. 2-2001, approved 1-18-2001]
(5) 
No other minimum rates may be charged for any other trips unless a minimum rate is agreed upon between a passenger and a taxicab company when a taxicab is hired. In such event, the driver of the taxicab, upon picking up the passenger, shall present to the passenger a confirmation of the agreed-upon minimum rate, which shall be in writing on a form designated by the Sheriff.
E. 
Party fares.
(1) 
No driver of a taxicab shall carry any other person than the passenger first employing the taxicab without the consent of such passenger, and in no event shall a driver pick up or carry any other passenger en route after such driver has begun to transport the passenger first employing the taxicab unless such passenger directs the driver to pick up the other person or persons.
(2) 
Where a party of passengers for hire engage a taxicab, the members of such party shall all be entitled to be carried to the same or different destinations for the meter rate above provided, including additional passenger fare, where applicable, and the taximeter shall not be reset nor a fare charged after the trip starts until the last member of such party has been delivered to his destination, and such passenger shall be responsible for the total fare then shown on the taximeter plus any additional passenger fare.
(3) 
Where two or more passengers are permitted to be carried who are not members of a party but who agree to be carried together, the meter shall be inactivated and placed on the "hold" position when the passenger first dropped reaches his destination and while he is being unloaded, and the fare shall be the amount then showing on the meter; the meter shall again be activated for the second passenger, and the fare will be the amount then showing on the meter when his destination is reached; for a third or fourth passenger, the meter shall be inactivated as provided for the first and second passenger. In no instance shall a party traveling with others pursuant to this subsection be required to pay a fare greater than the amount he would have been charged if he were the sole passenger.
F. 
Charter and personal use. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this law, the taxicab meter need not be in operation and shall be covered whenever a taxicab is being driven for the personal use of the taxicab owner and/or operator thereof, or for the transportation of passengers for hire under the terms of a written charter agreement fixing a flat rate for a period of at least 20 days of service. Signs indicating the use of said taxicab for such purpose shall be affixed to the front window of the right side of the taxicab. Each sign shall be at least three inches wide and 12 inches long, with the same words and lettering at least two inches high on each side of said signs. Signs used to indicate personal use of said taxicab by the taxicab owner and/or operator shall contain the words "Not in Service"; signs indicating transportation of passengers for hire pursuant to contractual agreements as stated above shall contain the word "Charter."
G. 
Senior citizen discounts. The minimum rates of fare established herein shall not prevent the charging of any lesser rate of fare, nor shall the foregoing provisions prevent the granting of discounts and reduced rates of fare to senior citizens and others.
H. 
Receipts.
(1) 
The owner, driver, operator or person in charge or control of a taxicab shall, upon request, deliver to the person paying for hire of the same, at the time of such payment, a receipt therefor. Such receipt shall contain at least the following information:
(a) 
The name of the driver of such taxicab.
(b) 
The hack plate number.
(c) 
The time and place where such trip originated.
(d) 
The time and place where such trip terminated.
(e) 
The number of passengers for which the paying party paid a fare.
(f) 
The total fare charged.
(2) 
The Sheriff may establish additional requirements for such receipts and may prescribe the form upon which a receipt shall be written.
The owner, driver, operator or person in charge or control of a taxicab shall, upon request, deliver to the person paying for hire of the same, at the time of such payment, a receipt therefor, containing such information and in a form approved by the Sheriff.
[Amended 2-2-1968 by L.L. No. 1-1968; 5-6-1980 by L.L. No. 1-1980]
A. 
The owner and/or driver of every vehicle used as a taxicab shall keep a daily manifest. The manifest shall contain the following information, which shall be recorded at the time specified:
(1) 
The hour and date at which the vehicle becomes available for use as a taxicab, the name of the driver and the make, hack plate number and registration number of such shall be recorded before the driver proceeds to pick up his first passenger or package delivery.
(2) 
The time and place of commencement and the number of passengers or packages shall be recorded when such passengers or packages are picked up.
(3) 
The name and place of delivery of the passengers or packages and the amount of the fare charged shall be recorded immediately after each trip is terminated.
(4) 
The time and place shall be recorded immediately after the driver ceases to operate the taxicab for hire for the day.
(5) 
When a driver makes a package delivery, he shall also list the name of the sender and the name of the recipient of such package.
B. 
The driver and holder of a hack plate shall keep the manifest for each taxicab for a sixty-day period, and such manifest shall be produced on demand by the Sheriff.
[Amended 2-2-1968 by L.L. No. 1-1968; 5-6-1969 by L.L. No. 1-1969; 5-6-1980 by L.L. No. 1-1980]
No person shall operate a taxicab for hire in the county unless such taxicab shall meet all of the following requirements:
A. 
Every taxicab shall provide windows in the rear and side of the cab sufficient in number and of such size and dimensions so that at all times persons may be readily seen through the windows with sufficient distinctness as to identify such persons.
B. 
All taxicabs shall be furnished with and the driver thereof shall put on radials or snow tires on both rear wheels from November 1 through April 15.
C. 
All taxicabs shall be free from disfiguring damage to the exterior of the vehicle, including rust holes through the body, but such damage shall not include minor dents or scratches. All taxicab doors, lights and safety equipment shall be maintained in operating condition.
D. 
A trailer shall not be attached to a taxicab while being driven or operated for the carriage of passengers.
E. 
No vehicle shall be operated as a taxicab within the County of Monroe, except as specifically provided in § 361-3 of this chapter, unless there is affixed to the outside rear of such vehicle a taxicab hack plate which is unobstructed and clearly visible to vehicular traffic.
F. 
There shall be printed on the left and right front doors of all taxicabs operated within the County of Monroe lettering at least three inches high, in a color contrasting to that of the cab, setting forth the name of the company or individual owning or dispatching said taxicab. The number of the hack plate which is affixed to a vehicle shall be printed in lettering at least five inches high, in a color contrasting to that of the cab, upon the left and right front doors. Upon the left and right front doors it shall be placed at least 10 inches from the bottom of the window area. Upon a showing of good cause, the Sheriff may allow a vehicle to be temporarily used as a taxicab without identification printed on the exterior of the vehicle. Taxicabs with identical city and county hack plate numbers shall require lettering of one set of numbers. The top of such lettering and numbering shall be no less than four inches nor no more than 10 inches from the bottom of the window area so as to be conspicuous, legible and free from obstruction.
G. 
Every vehicle operated as a taxicab within the County of Monroe shall be equipped with a roof light, which shall be illuminated when the vehicle is vacant or subject for hire and kept unlighted when the taxicab is occupied.
H. 
Every vehicle operated as a taxicab shall have a rate card enclosed in a frame affixed so as to be visible to any passengers at all times. The rate card shall set forth the rates being charged by the taxicab for distance, waiting time, zone fees, baggage and special rates, and in no event shall said rates exceed the maximum rates permitted by this section. Such rate card shall be in a form designated by the Sheriff and shall contain such information as he shall direct.
I. 
During the months of November 1 to April 30, a hack plate shall be used for a minimum of 35 hours per week.
J. 
During the months of May 1 to October 31, a hack plate shall be used for a minimum of 25 hours per week.
K. 
In the event that the holder of a hack plate is incapacitated or is otherwise unable to utilize such hack plate for the required number of hours per week, the holder may present a written petition to the Sheriff requesting the voluntary suspension of the hack plate for a definite term. The Sheriff shall determine each such petition based upon the nature of the illness or other circumstances preventing the holder from complying with the minimum use provision.
L. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, the holder of a hack plate may remove such hack plate from service for a total period of time not more than 30 days during each calendar year for any reason whatsoever, upon five days' written notice to the Sheriff.
M. 
County hack plates are issued to a firm, corporation or individual and may be affixed to any vehicle owned or leased by the person, firm or corporation to whom issued that has met the requirements for use as a taxicab contained in this chapter.
N. 
All taxicabs shall be painted in a color pattern so as not to be confused with any federal, state or local law enforcement vehicle which normally operates or may be found in Monroe County.
O. 
All taxicabs shall be designed and constructed so as to seat five persons or fewer, not including the driver, and shall have no more than five nor less than four doors.