The following words and phrases, when used in this article, shall, for purposes of this article, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:
Carriage.
Any vehicle that is drawn by horse, mule, or any other beast of burden which may be hired for the transportation of passengers and is connected to a carriage business.
Carriage business.
Any person or business that operates commercial carriages, wagons, carts, or any other vehicles which are drawn by horse, mule, or any other beast of burden for the purpose of transporting passengers for hire.
Carriage driver permit.
A permit issued by the city to an individual driver of a carriage operated by a carriage business that has a valid carriage operator license.
Carriage operator license.
A license issued by the city for the operation of a carriage business. A license is valid for all carriages operated by a single carriage business.
Carriage stand.
A fixed location for the loading and unloading of passengers.
City.
The city of Bellville, Texas.
(Ordinance 1712 adopted 3/19/2024)
(a) 
No person may operate a carriage business or carriage within the corporate limits of the city without first obtaining a valid carriage operator license issued by the city.
(b) 
Carriage operator licenses shall be issued for an operating period beginning on January 1st of each year and expiring on December 31st.
(c) 
The carriage operator license may be issued by the city administrator or his designee upon approval of an application that has the following minimum components:
(1) 
Name of all persons or business entities that own or control the carriage business.
(2) 
List the number and type of carriages to be used.
(3) 
Proof of insurance meeting the requirements set forth in this article.
(4) 
Proposed areas for loading and unloading carriages, draft animals, carriage stands, and equipment.
(5) 
Proposed hours of operation.
(6) 
Proposed routes and map thereof.
(7) 
Statement acknowledging compliance with best practices for the care of draft animals, carriage maintenance, and all other logistical and operational activities, including sanitary plans for the collection and disposal of manure and excrement.
(8) 
A copy of the carriage operator license shall be maintained at the carriage stand during hours of operation and in all operating carriages.
(9) 
Carriage operator licenses are not transferable.
(10) 
The carriage operator license operator shall provide the city a list of all drivers for appropriate background screening by the city.
(11) 
The carriage operator shall sign all legal disclaimer forms required by the city.
(12) 
The annual fee for a carriage operator license shall be as listed in appendix A, fee schedule.
(Ordinance 1712 adopted 3/19/2024)
(a) 
No person may drive a carriage upon the public streets of the city without first obtaining a valid carriage driver permit issued by the city.
(b) 
Carriage driver permits shall be issued for an operating period beginning on January 1st of each year and expiring on December 31st.
(c) 
A carriage driver permit may be issued by the city administrator or his designee upon approval of an application that has the following minimum components:
(1) 
Employment by a carriage business holding a valid carriage operator license issued by the city;
(2) 
Full legal name of applicant;
(3) 
Date of birth of applicant;
(4) 
Valid driver's license number and issuing state;
(5) 
Home address of applicant; and
(6) 
Home telephone number of applicant.
(7) 
The annual fee for a carriage driver permit shall be $25.00.
(d) 
A carriage driver permit may be refused or revoked for:
(1) 
Failure to maintain a valid vehicle driver's license;
(2) 
Conviction, including probation or deferred adjudication, for driving offenses involving impairment by drugs or alcohol;
(3) 
Conviction of any felony;
(4) 
Conviction of any sex crime or crime against children; and
(5) 
Conviction for any crime involving animal cruelty or neglect.
(Ordinance 1712 adopted 3/19/2024)
(a) 
A carriage operator licensee shall pay, and by its acceptance of a license specifically agrees to pay, any and all damages or penalties which the city may be legally required to pay as a result of the carriage operator licensee's operation or maintenance of a horse-drawn vehicle under this article, whether or not the acts or omissions complained of are authorized, allowed or prohibited by the city.
(b) 
A carriage operator licensee shall also pay all expenses incurred by the city in defending itself with regard to any and all damages and penalties mentioned in subsection (a) above. The expenses shall include all out-of-pocket expenses, including a reasonable attorney's fee and the reasonable value of services rendered by any employee of the city.
(c) 
The carriage operator licensee shall maintain, throughout the term of the permit, liability insurance insuring the city and the licensee with regard to all damages mentioned in the subsections above caused by the carriage operator licensee or its agents, in the minimum amounts required by the city administrator:
(1) 
The insurance policies obtained by a carriage operator licensee in compliance with this section shall be insured by a company or companies duly licensed to write business in the state and rated A- or better by A.M. Best. A current certificate or certificates of insurance, along with written evidence of payment of all required premiums, shall be filed and maintained with the city during the term of the permit. The policies shall name the city as an additional insured and shall contain a provision that written notice of cancellation or reduction in coverage of the policy shall be delivered by registered mail to the city at least thirty (30) days in advance of the effective date thereof.
(Ordinance 1712 adopted 3/19/2024)
The following provisions apply to the operation of carriages and carriage stands within the corporate limits of the city:
(1) 
A carriage must display a valid carriage permit issued by the city and have it permanently affixed to the carriage.
(2) 
All drivers must display a valid carriage driver permit issued by the city on their person.
(3) 
Carriages must be equipped with devices to prevent manure and other excrement from falling on city streets. Any excrement that should fall on a city street shall be removed at the expense of the carriage operator licensee and disposed of in a manner consistent with all health and sanitation standards and laws.
(4) 
Carriages are prohibited from operating during the hours from 2:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m.
(5) 
A carriage is required to be equipped with lighting and a slow moving vehicle emblem as required by state law and any additional lighting that ensures the back of the carriage is visible from a distance of 500 feet. In addition, the draft animal must be equipped with white, amber, or yellow marker lights or reflective material visible from a distance of 500 feet from the front or sides of the animal.
(6) 
A person operating a carriage on a roadway has the rights and duties applicable to the operator of a vehicle under state law or city ordinance, except a right or duty that by its nature cannot apply to a person operating a vehicle drawn by an animal.
(7) 
Carriage drivers may not consume alcohol while operating a carriage and may not operate a carriage while intoxicated by alcohol or any other substance.
(8) 
The maximum load in any carriage drawn by a single draft animal shall follow best practices.
(9) 
The driver of a carriage must yield to traffic overtaking the carriage when safe to do so.
(Ordinance 1712 adopted 3/19/2024)
In the event of emergency, or to expedite traffic, or to safeguard pedestrians, the city may regulate carriage traffic in certain areas. Notice of carriage traffic regulation will be provided to all licensed carriage businesses. This regulation may include:
(1) 
Directions of travel on specific roadways;
(2) 
Prohibited areas; and
(3) 
Defined areas of operation.
(Ordinance 1712 adopted 3/19/2024)
Carriage businesses contracted for exclusive activities that include weddings, funerals, private parties, or private events are exempt from the provisions in this section.
(Ordinance 1712 adopted 3/19/2024)
All licenses and permits may be revoked by the city administrator or his designee for failure to comply with any provision of this article or upon a series of valid complaints that have not been rectified by the operator after sufficient time to cure has elapsed. Notice of revocation will be delivered by certified mail to the address on file for the affected carriage business and/or carriage driver. Said notice shall be deemed received three (3) business days after the date that the city deposits it in the U.S. mail.
(Ordinance 1712 adopted 3/19/2024)