"Limousine"
means an automobile or motor-propelled vehicle for hire which:
1. 
Transports six or less passengers or parcels, or both, over the public streets of the city;
2. 
Follows a fixed route of travel between specified points, with the fare based on a per capita charge established in its permit, in the discretion of the city manager;
3. 
Is made available to passengers only at specified locations upon its route.
"Owner"
means every person, firm or corporation having use or control of any passenger-carrying automobile, or motor-propelled vehicle as herein defined.
"Taxicab"
means an automobile or motor-propelled vehicle for hire which:
1. 
Transports passengers or parcels, or both over the public streets of the city;
2. 
Is made available for hire on call or demand, through cruising, at taxi stands, or by telephone;
3. 
Charges fare on a distance traveled/time consumed basis as indicated through the use of a taximeter.
"Vehicle for hire"
means a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon the street, except:
1. 
A device moved exclusively by human power;
2. 
A device used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks;
3. 
Mass transit vehicles;
4. 
Vehicles involved in an organized car pool not available to the public;
5. 
Emergency medical care vehicles.
(Ord. 3361 § 1, 1979)
Every vehicle for hire operated under the provisions of this chapter shall be operated regularly to the extent reasonably necessary to meet the public demand for transportation services.
(Ord. 3361 § 1, 1979)
Every applicant for a permit under the provisions of this chapter shall file with the city council a schedule of the fares proposed to be charged by such applicant in the event the application is granted; the fares, when approved by the city council, shall become a part of the permit, and may not thereafter be changed except with the written consent and approval of the city council.
(Ord. 3361 § 1, 1979)
Any vehicle for hire parked in a location other than those provided by the city council, or by the terms of the operating license, shall be subject to all of the laws and ordinances of the city in respect to the parking of motor vehicles upon the public streets of the city.
(Ord. 3361 § 1, 1979)
No person shall operate any vehicle for hire in the city unless there shall be on file with the city clerk a certificate of insurance by a company approved by the city attorney in conformance with city council policy.
(Ord. 3361 § 1, 1979; Ord. 3999 §§ 1, 2, 1986; Ord. 4063 § 1, 1987)
No person shall engage in, carry on, maintain, or conduct a vehicle for hire service in the city without first having applied for and secured a license pursuant to Chapters 5.16 and 5.08, and complied with all regulations pertaining to such business provided in this code.
(Ord. 3361 § 1, 1979)
A. 
The application for a license or a work permit under this chapter shall be accompanied by a copy of fingerprints of the applicant. Such fingerprints shall be taken by the police department.
B. 
Notwithstanding any of the above, an applicant who has met the requirements of the county of San Diego and is in good standing and holds a valid taxi driver permit issued by the San Diego County sheriff's office shall be deemed to have complied with all of the requirements of this chapter with respect to a taxi driver's work permit.
(Ord. 3361 § 1, 1979; Ord. 3461 § 1, 1980)
A. 
The operator shall maintain vehicles in such a manner that passengers or pedestrians or vehicles or other property in the vicinity of the operation of such vehicle shall not be exposed to any hazard from defective equipment or malfunction of equipment in or on the vehicle.
B. 
The operator shall have each vehicle thoroughly cleaned on the inside once every twenty-four hours. Once each week the inside of each vehicle shall be cleaned with a disinfectant solution.
(Ord. 3361 § 1, 1979)
A. 
All vehicles for hire operating as taxis shall be equipped with taximeters or other measuring instruments for the purpose of gauging or indicating distance traveled or waiting time, or for the purpose of fixing rates to be collected from the public.
B. 
The use of any inaccurate taximeter or other measuring instrument is prohibited, and it shall be the duty of the operator of any taxicab to keep the taximeter or other measuring instrument accurate at all times.
C. 
Every taximeter or other measuring instrument used for the purpose of gauging or indicating distance traveled or waiting lime, or for the purpose of computing fares to be collected from the public shall be subject to inspection at all times by the chief of police or his authorized representatives. The chief of police may at any time detail police officers to inspect any or all taximeters or other measuring instruments so used when, in his opinion, such instruments are inaccurate. A police officer shall immediately investigate and report to the chief of police upon the complaint of any person that the fare charged is more than the legal fare. The chief of police shall cause the taximeter or other measuring instrument upon the taxicab complained of to be inspected. Any person, firm, or corporation who knowingly maintains any taximeter or other measuring instrument which registers charges in excess of the legal fare, and who collects such fare, shall have the certificate covering such taxicab revoked by the city council.
(Ord. 3361 § 1, 1979)
In the event the service supplied by a permittee operator is discontinued, except for causes beyond the control of such permittee, or in the event such permittee operator fails to operate regularly to the extent reasonably necessary to meet the public demand, the city council may give written notice to such permittee to restore such service or to operate such service regularly and to the extent reasonably necessary to meet the public demand.
(Ord. 3361 § 1, 1979)
The following shall constitute just cause for revocation or suspension of a permit for operation of a vehicle for hire:
A. 
Revocation of driver's license;
B. 
Failure to operate vehicle in accordance with the provisions of this chapter;
C. 
Operation at a rate of fare other than that approved by the city council;
D. 
Suspension of operation for a period of thirty consecutive days without permission of the council;
E. 
Conviction of a traffic offense involving reckless or negligent disregard for the safety of others;
F. 
A finding by the city council that such revocation or suspension is necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of El Cajon.
(Ord. 3361 § 1, 1979)
Any business which is established or maintained in violation of this chapter is deemed to be a public nuisance and may be abated in accordance with Chapter 1.16 of this code.
(Ord. 4318 § 4, 1991)