It is unlawful to engage in a business of operating a taxicab within the unincorporated area of the county without having first procured a permit to do so for each taxicab so operated. "Taxicab" means a vehicle used in the transportation of passengers for hire, on call or demand over the public highways of the unincorporated areas of the county and not over a defined route or upon a fixed schedule.
(Ord. CS 1375, 5/21/2024)
Taxicab permits shall be issued by the treasurer-tax collector upon payment of an annual fee, set by the board of supervisors, for each taxicab, upon proof of good moral character of the applicant, upon proof that the taxicab is in good mechanical condition and equipped with reasonable safety devices and upon submission of such other information as the treasurer-tax collector may require. Proof to the satisfaction of the treasurer-tax collector that the applicant has a current license or permit to operate the taxicab for which a permit is requested issued by any municipality located in the county may be accepted by the treasurer-tax collector, in his or her discretion, as sufficient evidence of the good moral character of the applicant and that the taxicab is in good condition and adequately equipped. An applicant shall maintain with the treasurer-tax collector a current address and telephone number.
(Ord. CS 1375, 5/21/2024)
The board of supervisors may establish by resolution a schedule of rates for taxicabs and such schedule, when adopted, shall become and thereafter be a part of this chapter. The board shall, before adopting a resolution establishing a schedule of rates for taxicabs, conduct a public hearing thereon. Notice of the public hearing shall be provided in writing to each permittee and shall be published in the manner provided by Government Code Section 6062(a). A copy of any schedule of rates for taxicabs established by resolution of the board of supervisors shall be kept on file in the office of the Clerk of the board of supervisors and shall be conspicuously posted in each taxicab.
(Ord. CS 1375, 5/21/2024)
Whenever the board of supervisors has established a schedule or rates which requires the use of a taximeter to determine the rate of fare, each taxicab shall be equipped with a taximeter of the type approved by the sealer of weights and measures and it shall be the duty of every owner and operator of such vehicle to operate the taximeter in a manner so as to correctly compute the rate of fare and to keep the taximeter in perfect condition so that the taximeter will, at all times, accurately compute the correct charge. The taximeter shall be, at all times, subject to inspection by the sealer of weights and measures and a vehicle shall not be operated with a taximeter known to be defective or inaccurate. Upon complaint of any person that more than the legal fare was charged for taxicab service, the sheriff shall investigate and if the complaint relates to a taximeter, shall cause the taximeter to be at once inspected.
(Ord. CS 1375, 5/21/2024)
A. 
Any permit issued pursuant to this chapter may be suspended or revoked for good cause by the treasurer-tax collector upon recommendation of the sheriff. "Good cause," for the purpose of this section, means a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the regulations adopted thereunder, or any condition of the business permit.
B. 
The treasurer-tax collector shall serve upon the permittee, by mailing to the address maintained with the treasurer-tax collector or any other reasonable means, a notice of suspension or revocation setting forth the acts of omissions with which he or she is charged and informing him or her of his or her right to appeal to the board of supervisors.
(Ord. CS 1375, 5/21/2024)
Any person aggrieved by any decision or action of any county officer or employee relating to this chapter may appeal to the board of supervisors by written notice of appeal filed with the Clerk of the board within fifteen days following receipt by such person of written notice of the decision or action. The appeal shall be placed upon the agenda of the board for hearing upon the earliest available date, but in no event, later than the second regular board meeting following the filing of the appeal with the Clerk.
(Ord. CS 1375, 5/21/2024)