No person shall drive, operate or cause to be operated, nor shall any person employ, permit or allow another to drive, operate or cause to be operated, any taxicab upon any street in the city for the purpose of transporting a passenger or passengers for compensation, nor shall any person accept compensation for the transportation of passengers, without first having obtained from the city, under the provisions of this article, an operating permit authorizing such operation and acts, except a vehicle which is lawfully transporting a passenger or passengers from a point outside the city to a destination within the city, or, after discharging such a passenger within the city, is returning empty by the most direct route to its regular place of business outside the city; provided, however, that no such vehicle without such operating permit shall solicit or accept a passenger or passengers from any point within the city for transportation to any destination whatsoever, and no such vehicle without such operating permit shall remain waiting for more than five (5) minutes at any point in the city for a passenger brought in by it for the purpose of continuing the journey of such passenger or for any other purpose except to have repairs made upon it at a garage or other place where automotive repairs are customarily made.
(2002 Code, sec. 4.1202)
An operating permit issued under the provisions of this article may not be transferred to another person unless such transfer is approved by the city council.
(2002 Code, sec. 4.1203)
(a) 
To obtain an operating permit, a person shall file a written application with the city secretary in the manner prescribed by this section. That applicant must be the person who will own, control or operate the proposed taxicab service. An applicant shall file with the city secretary a written verified application containing the following:
(1) 
The form of business of the applicant; if the business is a corporation or association, a copy of the documents establishing the business and the name, address and citizenship of each person with a direct interest in the business;
(2) 
Name, address, race, sex, age and verified signature of the applicant;
(3) 
An actual or pro forma income statement and balance sheet showing the liabilities and the assets of the business;
(4) 
Description of any past business experience of the applicant, particularly in providing passenger transportation services, identification and description on any revocation or suspension of a franchise or permit held by the applicant or business before the date of filing the application;
(5) 
The number of vehicles and description of the vehicles the applicant proposes to use in the operation of the taxicab service; the description of the operations of the proposed taxicab service and the location of the fixed facilities to be used in the operation;
(6) 
The description of the proposed insignia and color scheme for the applicant’s taxicab;
(7) 
Documentary evidence from an insurance company authorized to do business in the state indicating a willingness to provide liability insurance required by this article;
(8) 
Documentary evidence of payment of ad valorem taxes on the property to be used in connection with the operation of the proposed taxicab service;
(9) 
The amount the applicant proposes to charge for the rendition of such services;
(10) 
Such additional information as the city council considers necessary to assist or promote the implementation or enforcement of this article or the protection of the public safety.
(b) 
When an application for an operating permit containing the required information in full, properly verified, is filed with the city secretary, it shall be placed on the agenda of the city council for the next regular meeting of the city council following the filing of such application.
(2002 Code, sec. 4.1204)
Each applicant for a license to operate a vehicle for transporting of passengers for hire within the city shall pay a nonrefundable fee as established by the city council to cover the cost of processing the application.
(2002 Code, sec. 4.1205)
(a) 
After receiving any application for an operating permit, the city council shall make or cause to be made by its agents or employees, or by persons designated by it, such investigation as it may consider necessary. The city council shall determine whether or not the public necessity and convenience requires the operation of such taxicabs and whether or not the applicant is fit and proper, qualified and able to officially conduct such business and render such service to the public, but the operating permit will not be granted unless:
(1) 
The holder of the operating permit provides taxicab service to the entire city with an adequate number of taxicabs (as determined by the city council) registered for service;
(2) 
The holder of the operating permit provides taxicab service between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., seven (7) days a week;
(3) 
The holder of the operating permit provides dispatch service to taxicabs between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., seven (7) days a week;
(4) 
The holder of the operating permit provides proof of minimum insurance for each taxicab in accordance with the statutes of the state under the Texas Safety Responsibility Act or amendments thereto; and
(5) 
The holder of an operating permit pays an annual fee based on a rate as the city council may determine from time to time by resolution.
(b) 
An operating permit may not be granted for a period longer than one (1) year; however, the annual operating permit is automatically renewed, provided, however, the holder thereof is in full compliance with the provisions of this article.
(2002 Code, sec. 4.1206)
No permit to operate a taxicab service in the city shall be granted until a public hearing shall have been held before the city council on such request at a regular meeting of the city council. Upon approval of an application for an operating permit by the city council, the permit will be granted in the manner prescribed by this article, containing such terms or conditions as are included by the city council. Unless the permit expressly indicates otherwise, the provisions of this article shall apply to the permit and are deemed to be part of each permit as if the provisions of this article were expressly set forth therein.
(2002 Code, sec. 4.1207)
(a) 
The city council may revoke an operating permit if it determines that the holder has done any of the following:
(1) 
Failed to comply with any provision of this article;
(2) 
Breached any of the terms of the operating permit;
(3) 
Failed to pay city ad valorem taxes on the property of the holder having taxable suits in the city, used directly or indirectly in connection with the taxicab service;
(4) 
Failed to pay the annual permit fee when due.
(b) 
If the city council desires to revoke an operating permit, it shall deliver to the holder of the operating permit in writing the reasons for such revocation; and, after a hearing, may revoke and cancel such operating permit. In the event of such revocation, the operating permit shall be null and void.
(2002 Code, sec. 4.1208)