As used in the chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
"Driver"
means any person driving a taxicab either as owner or under the direction, employment, control, or service of the owner as herein defined.
"Owner"
means every person having control, whether by outright ownership, lease or otherwise of any taxicabs for hire.
"Person"
means and includes both singular and plural, and means and includes any individual, firm, corporation, association, partnership, or society, exclusive of public agencies.
"Taxicab"
means any vehicle designed to carry not more than eight passengers excluding the driver which is used to provide taxicab service as defined in this chapter. Taxicab does not include any vehicle operating as part of or in furtherance of any transportation network company.
"Taxicab service"
means any public passenger transportation service available for hire on call or demand over the public streets of the city where the service is not provided over a defined route but between such points and over such routes as may be directed by the persons hiring the same, and irrespective of whether the operations extend beyond the area of the corporate limits of the city.
"Transportation network company"
means any organization, including, but not limited to, a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietor, or any other entity, operating in California that provides prearranged transportation services for compensation using an online-enabled application or platform (such as smart-phone applications) to connect passengers with drivers using a personal vehicle (such as Uber or Lyft), or otherwise as transportation network company is defined in California Public Utilities Code section 5431, as the same may be amended, or any successor provision thereto.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.010; Ord. No. 501 § 1, 1992; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014; Ord. No. 917 § 1, 2017)
It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of operating or causing to be operated any taxicab service within the city without having a permit to do so under the provisions of this chapter.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.020; Ord. No. 501 § 1, 1992)
Any person desiring to obtain a permit to operate a taxicab service under this chapter shall submit a written application to the business license division of the finance department, on an application form provided by the business license division of the finance department. Applications shall be signed under penalty of perjury and shall contain the following information:
A. 
Name, residence address and telephone number of the applicant;
B. 
Business name, address and telephone number of the applicant;
C. 
Number of vehicles to be operated under the permit;
D. 
The make, type, year, manufacturer, and passenger seating of the vehicles to be used by the applicant;
E. 
The proposed color scheme, insignia or other distinguishable characteristics of the taxicab to be used, including the type of illuminated sign to be mounted on the top of the vehicle and legend thereon;
F. 
Evidence of public liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000.00 for each person killed or injured and not less than $1,000,000.00 for death or injury of any two or more persons in any one accident, and for damage to property of at least $1,000,000.00 from any one accident;
G. 
Legal and registered ownership of the vehicles to be used by the applicant;
H. 
Prior experience of the applicant in the taxicab business including the details of any prior denial, revocation or suspension by any public agency of any taxicab service or taxicab driving permit, license or certificate;
I. 
All felony convictions of the applicant and of all persons having an ownership interest in the proposed taxicab service for the previous five years;
J. 
Rates to be charged to the public throughout the term of any permit issued;
K. 
Unless otherwise provided by law, evidence that the applicant has procured workers' compensation insurance covering any and all drivers to be utilized by the applicant should a taxicab service permit be issued. Workers' compensation insurance will cover all employees with statutory limits.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.030; Ord. No. 501 § 1, 1992; Ord. No. 543 § 1, 1995; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014)
A. 
Upon the furnishing of all the information required by section 8.30.030 and payment of the required fee under this chapter, the finance director shall set a date and time of not less than ten nor more than 30 days thereafter for a public hearing concerning the application to be conducted before the city council, and shall give notice of the time so set, at least five business days before the date of said hearing, to the applicant, by certified mail, postage prepaid, at the address set out in the application, and by publication of the application in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the city on two different days.
B. 
At the time set for the hearing of the application, the city council may examine the applicant and all persons interested in the matter set forth in said application, and shall determine whether or not the applicant has satisfied all requirements of this chapter and, further, whether or not the public interest, convenience and necessity justify the issuance of the permit. If it be found by the city council that all requirements of this chapter have been satisfied and that the public interest, convenience and necessity justify issuance of the permit, it shall, by motion or resolution, order the finance director to issue a taxicab service permit. Any applicant denied a taxicab service permit shall be notified in writing of such denial and the grounds upon which such denial is based.
C. 
The following factors shall be weighed with the burden upon the applicant to show public need and necessity:
1. 
The inadequacy of existing taxi services;
2. 
The population density and socio-economic characteristics in the proposed area of operation;
3. 
Type and frequency of transportation service needed in the proposed area of operation;
4. 
Existing public transportation patterns, schedules and service levels and the impact of the application upon such service;
5. 
Traffic and parking conditions;
6. 
The probable permanence and quality of the services offered by the applicant;
7. 
The character of taxi service proposed by the applicant as demonstrated by: the proposed use, if any, of a radio communications system, the proposed use of terminals and private and public taxi stands, the time of day and night when service is to be offered, and the proposed number and character of vehicles;
8. 
The financial status, character and responsibility of the applicant as demonstrated by: the applicant's ability to provide, maintain and operate the number of vehicles proposed to be operated in accordance with the character of service proposed in the application, the applicant's criminal and driving record, if any, as well as credit record and evidence of liability and worker's compensation insurance;
9. 
The experience of the applicant in taxicab service operations as an owner, manager or taxi driver, as described in section 8.30.030(H).
D. 
Upon receipt of an application and prior to making a determination of public interest, convenience and necessity, each holder of a city-issued taxicab service permit shall be notified in writing that an application has been filed and of the date and time of the public hearing to consider said application.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.040; Ord. No. 501, § 1, 1992; Ord. No. 543, § 2, 1995; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014)
Taxicab service permits shall be denied or revoked on the following grounds:
A. 
Failure to maintain vehicles in good and safe order and in compliance with all laws;
B. 
Any false statement made on an application submitted under this chapter;
C. 
Failure to pay any fees as required under this chapter;
D. 
Repeated and persistent violations by the permittee or the permit holder's drivers of the traffic laws of the city, county or state;
E. 
The employing of a driver who does not have a valid taxicab driver's permit under the requirements of this chapter;
F. 
Violations of any of the provisions of this chapter by the permit holder;
G. 
Charging rates in excess of the amounts stated in the permit application;
H. 
Conviction of a felony within five years of the date of application where such felony involved fraud or dishonesty by the applicant with respect to any member of the public, or where any taxi owned or operated by the applicant was used in connection with the commission of such felony.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.050; Ord. No. 501, § 1, 1992; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014)
A. 
Every person engaging in or carrying on the business of taxicab service, or engaged in the activity of driving a taxicab, shall pay an annual permit fee as established by resolution of the city council. Required fees shall be paid at the time an application for a permit is submitted under this chapter.
B. 
Every permit issued under this chapter shall terminate at the expiration of one year from the date of its issuance unless revoked prior to said termination. Any renewal of a permit issued under this chapter shall be pursuant to the same requirements, procedures, provisions and regulations set forth in this chapter for an original permit. A person holding a taxicab service permit may not drive a taxicab without also possessing a taxicab driver's permit. Permits issued under this chapter may not be transferred to any other person.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.060; Ord. No. 501, § 1, 1992)
A. 
Except as otherwise provided by law, each taxicab shall be equipped with a taximeter that has been inspected and certified by the county division of weights and measures. Each taximeter shall have affixed to it written or other evidence that such taximeter has been so inspected and is currently certified.
B. 
Except as otherwise provided by law, it is unlawful for any person operating a taxicab to operate such vehicle unless it has approved rates conspicuously posted for passenger observation, and unless it is equipped with a taximeter of such type and design as approved by a county division of weights and measures. It shall be the duty of every permittee hereunder using any taximeter to, at all times, keep such meter accurate. Such meters shall be subject to inspection from time to time by any police officer of the city or any authorized inspector delegated to this purpose. Upon the discovery of any inaccuracy of a taximeter, the permittee shall remove or cause to be removed any vehicle equipped with such taximeter from the streets of the city until such taximeter has been correctly adjusted and certified by the county division of weights and measures.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.065; Ord. No. 543, § 3, 1995)
A. 
It is unlawful for any person to accept any person as a passenger in a taxi within the city, or otherwise provide transportation services by taxi beginning in the city, without having a current taxicab driver's permit issued pursuant to this chapter.
B. 
Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, the finance director may accept current taxicab driver permits issued by another city or county where such city's or county's permitting requirements meet the minimum standards of this chapter and, in the director's discretion, provide for the safety of the residents of the city. In such case, a taxicab driver may operate with that permit in lieu of a permit issued by the city.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.070; Ord. No. 501, § 1, 1992; Ord. No. 543, § 4, 1995; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014)
A. 
Any person desiring to obtain a taxicab driver's permit shall submit a written application to the business license division of the finance department. The application shall provide requested information, under penalty of perjury, on application forms supplied by the business license division of the finance department regarding the following:
1. 
Pertinent personal data and proof of possession of a valid Class 3 driver's license issued by the state;
2. 
Physical condition affecting driving ability;
3. 
Driving record for three years prior to application, including, but not limited to, any and all convictions of any provisions of the Vehicle Code;
4. 
The date and nature of any and all criminal convictions of the applicant for the previous five years;
5. 
Summary of experience in driving motor vehicles, taxis and/or other vehicles for hire;
6. 
The name and address of the taxicab service by which the applicant will be employed.
B. 
Each applicant shall provide two passport size photographs, be fingerprinted by the city police department and a criminal records check shall be conducted on the applicant. The applicant will be required to pay the established fees for such services in addition to the taxicab driver's permit fee. A driver obtaining a permit renewal need not be fingerprinted and photographed if the sheriff determines that such is not necessary for permitting purposes.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.080; Ord. No. 501, § 1, 1992; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014)
A taxicab driver's permit may be denied or revoked on the following grounds:
A. 
The driver does not possess a valid Class 3 driver's license issued by the state, or any other permit or license required by law;
B. 
The driver has been convicted of a crime within the last five years which involved:
1. 
Fraud or dishonesty with respect to any member of the public;
2. 
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
3. 
Injuries to any member of the public as a result of such driver's operation of a taxi;
4. 
Any assault or battery, or other violent behavior against any person;
5. 
The sale of illegal drugs;
C. 
The driver has been convicted of driving a taxicab recklessly within the preceding two years;
D. 
The driver has repeatedly and persistently violated the traffic law of the city, county or state;
E. 
Within the last five years:
1. 
The driver has driven any passenger in a taxicab which the driver knew or should have known was not in good order and repair;
2. 
The driver has violated any of the provisions of this chapter;
3. 
The driver has charged any person more than the established rate for taxicab service;
4. 
The driver has had any permit to operate a taxicab revoked;
F. 
The driver has made false statements on an application submitted under this chapter;
G. 
The driver is required to register under Penal Code § 290;
H. 
The driver has been convicted of a violent felony at any time and the finance director has reasonable cause to believe that such driver continues to constitute a threat to the public health, safety or welfare;
I. 
The driver is not at least 18 years of age.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.090; Ord. No. 501, § 1, 1992; Ord. No. 543, § 5, 1995; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014)
If the city council, or its designee, upon payment of all required fees, submittal of the required application and proof of completion of fingerprinting and photographing, finds that the applicant is duly qualified, in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, and there are no grounds for denial, the applicant shall be issued a taxicab driver's permit. Any applicant denied a permit shall be given written notice of the reasons for the denial. Permits shall remain the property of the city and are not transferable to any other driver. A permit shall be surrendered to the city by the driver upon such driver ceasing to engage in the activity of a taxicab driver. The taxicab driver's permit shall set forth the driver's name and working address. Upon payment of all required fees, the permit shall bear the driver's picture and shall be displayed while the driver is operating the taxicab so as to at all times be easily visible in the passenger's compartment of the taxicab.
(Code 1980, §8.30.100; Ord. No. 501, § 1, 1992; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014)
Each taxicab driver:
A. 
Shall keep an accurate, legible record of all passengers carried, the pick up and drop off points, and the date and time carried. This record shall be available for up to one year for review by the director or designee thereof;
B. 
Shall not, when otherwise available for hire, refuse to transport anyone requesting a ride except when the safety of the driver or passenger may be jeopardized by such transportation;
C. 
Shall wear a distinctive uniform with an emblem, badge or insignia, and similar color scheme identifying the driver's association with a permitted taxicab service;
D. 
Shall keep the taxicab in good mechanical condition;
E. 
Shall charge only those rates as submitted on the application or such rates as have been approved by the director in writing;
F. 
Shall keep the taxicab in a clean and sanitary condition.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.105; Ord. No. 543, § 6, 1995)
Any person denied a permit pursuant to this chapter may appeal such denial to the city manager, or designee pursuant to section 1.12.150, by filing a written request for an administrative hearing with the city clerk within ten days after service of notice of the finance director's decision. Upon receipt of a timely appeal, the aggrieved party shall be given notice of a hearing to be held before the city manager, or designee, within 30 days of the date of said notice. The city manager, or designee, shall bear the burden of proof and the appellant shall pay a non-refundable fee in an amount established by resolution of the city council for such appeal. The city manager, or designee, shall render a decision within a reasonable amount of time not to exceed 60 days of the conclusion of the hearing. The decision of the city manager, or designee, shall be final.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.110; Ord. No. 501, § 1, 1992; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014; Ord. No. 931 § 2, 2018)
No permit issued under this chapter shall be revoked until notice is provided and a hearing to determine whether there are grounds for revocation shall have been held before the city council or in the city council's sole discretion before a hearing officer appointed by the city council to hear the appeal and make a recommendation to the city council. Notice of such hearing shall be given in writing and served at least ten days prior to the date of the hearing thereon. The notice shall state the grounds of the complaint against the holder of such permit, and shall designate the time and place where such hearing will be held. The notice shall be served upon the permit holder by delivering the same personally or by leaving such notice at the place of business or residence of the permit holder. In the event the permit holder cannot be found, and the service of such notice cannot be otherwise made in the manner herein provided, a copy of such notice shall be mailed, certified postage fully prepaid, addressed to the permit holder at his or her place of business or residence at least ten days prior to the date of such hearing. The decision of the city council shall be final. This chapter shall be enforced by the sheriff of the county.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.120; Ord. No. 501, § 1, 1992; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014)
This chapter shall not apply to public transportation service being performed pursuant to a contract with the city or any other public entity in this state.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.130; Ord. No. 501, § 1, 1992)
Any taxicab service or taxicab driver performing service within the city on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall have 60 days from the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter to obtain permits required hereunder.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.140; Ord. No. 501, § 1, 1992; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014)
A. 
Criminal violation. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, or corporation to violate any provision or to fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter. Any person, firm, partnership, or corporation violating any provision of this chapter or failing to comply with any of its requirements shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by fine not exceeding $1,000.00 or by imprisonment not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each such person, firm, partnership, or corporation shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or any portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted by such person, firm, partnership, or corporation, and shall be deemed punishable therefor as provided in this chapter.
B. 
Civil remedies available. A violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a nuisance and may be abated by the city through civil process by means of restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction, or in any other manner provided by law for abatement of such nuisance.
(Code 1980, § 8.30.150; Ord. No. 501, § 1, 1992; Ord. No. 870 (Recodification), 2014)