It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or to operate or to cause to be driven or operated any taxicab upon or over any street in the city unless there has been obtained for such taxicab, existing in full force and effect, a permit duly issued by the city manager or designee.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-25; 1991 Code, sec. 30-31; 2007 Code, sec. 48-51; Ordinance adopting 2022 Code)
Before any person shall conduct a taxicab business in the city, he shall file with the city manager or designee an application to the city council for a permit to conduct such business in this city. The application shall state the name and address of such applicant, whether the applicant is an individual, firm or corporation, and if a firm the name and address of each member thereof and the number of vehicles proposed to be operated under such permit.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-26; 1991 Code, sec. 30-32; 2007 Code, sec. 48-52; Ordinance adopting 2022 Code)
It shall be the duty of the city manager or designee, when an application for a permit required by this division is filed with him, at the next regular meeting of the city council following the filing of such application, to call the attention of the city council thereto. Upon consideration of such application, the city council may grant or refuse such permit, as in their discretion may seem to the best interest of the citizenship of the city, and the public in general.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-27; 1991 Code, sec. 30-33; 2007 Code, sec. 48-53; Ordinance adopting 2022 Code)
Each permit for the conduct of a taxicab business in the city shall be issued and signed by the city manager or designee and sealed with the seal of his office. It shall be dated on the day of its issuance; shall bear a serial number; shall show the name and address of the permittee; shall state that the permittee has been authorized by the city council to conduct a taxicab business in this city until the expiration on December 31 next following the date of issuance; and that the permit is subject to cancellation at any time by the city council.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-28; 1991 Code, sec. 30-34; 2007 Code, sec. 48-54; Ordinance adopting 2022 Code)
At the time of issuance of a permit, the permittee shall pay to the city a permit fee in accordance with the schedule currently established or as hereafter adopted by resolution of the city council from time to time. Such permit fee shall be applicable for a 12-month period, ending December 31; provided, however, that if such permit is granted for less than a full year, the permittee shall pay to the city an amount prorated according to the number of months for which the permit is issued.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-29; 1991 Code, sec. 30-35; Ordinance 00-554, secs. 2, 6, adopted 2/24/00; 2007 Code, sec. 48-55)
Every permit issued under the provisions of this division shall expire at 12:00 midnight, December 31, of each year.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-30; 1991 Code, sec. 30-36; 2007 Code, sec. 48-56)
Each permittee under this division shall file with the city manager or designee a statement in writing under oath signed by him, showing the make, model, motor number and state license number of each taxicab. If at any time the holder of a taxicab permit shall desire to use any additional vehicles under the permit, he may do so only after he has made application to the city council for a permit to operate such additional vehicles and has had his application for such permit granted, and he shall furnish to the city manager or designee the same information regarding such additional vehicles as is required in this section regarding those covered by the original permit and shall pay to the city manager or designee the fee herein provided.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-31; 1991 Code, sec. 30-37; 2007 Code, sec. 48-57; Ordinance adopting 2022 Code)
No permit issued under the terms of this division shall be transferred to any other person, nor shall such permit be used for the operation of any vehicle except for the vehicle for which the permit is issued.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-32; 1991 Code, sec. 30-38; 2007 Code, sec. 48-58)
The permit issued for the operation of a taxicab under the terms of this division shall be posted within the taxicab in a conspicuous place.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-33; 1991 Code, sec. 30-39; 2007 Code, sec. 48-59)
All taxicabs shall be regularly maintained by a competent mechanic, and no taxicab shall be used in the providing of services hereunder unless such vehicle is in a good and safe mechanical condition. Every holder of a permit to conduct a taxicab business within the city shall have each and every taxicab used in the business inspected biannually and shall file with the city manager or designee at the time of permit renewal and six months thereafter a statement in writing signed by a competent resident mechanic showing that he has inspected each vehicle; the date of such inspection; the license number of each such vehicle; the name of the permittee and the serial number of his permit; and the lights, brakes and steering apparatus of all such vehicles so inspected by him are in good mechanical condition. A written statement shall also be required indicating that each vehicle so inspected by him is in good mechanical condition. A written statement shall also be required indicating that each vehicle has successfully passed and has been issued a valid state vehicle inspection certificate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in lieu of the statement required by this section, a permit holder may submit proof of compliance with inspection and mechanical condition requirements of the City of Houston.
(1991 Code, sec. 30-40; Ordinance 90-439, sec. I, adopted 7/12/90; Ordinance 00-554, secs. 3, 6, adopted 2/24/00; 2007 Code, sec. 48-60; Ordinance adopting 2022 Code)
A written statement from the taxicab business owner indicating that the meter in each taxicab is correct and accurate shall be required biannually. The first statement shall be submitted at the time of permit renewal, with the second statement submitted six months later.
(1991 Code, sec. 30-40.1; Ordinance 90-439, sec. I, adopted 7/12/90; 2007 Code, sec. 48-61)
Any permit issued under the provisions of this division may be revoked by the city council for the violation by the licensee of any applicable provision of this code, state law or city ordinance, rule or regulation.
(1973 Code, sec. 29-35; 1991 Code, sec. 30-41; 2007 Code, sec. 48-62)
Every holder of a permit granted under the terms of this division for a taxicab shall have and keep in fast colors contrasting with the color of the vehicle on each side of each and every vehicle used by him as a motor cab the words “Taxi Permit No. _____,” filling the blank with figures denoting the serial number of his permit. The letters and figures shall be not less than three inches in height.
(1991 Code, sec. 30-42; Ordinance 90-439, sec. I, adopted 7/12/90; 2007 Code, sec. 48-63)