Unless otherwise stated, whenever used herein, the following terms shall respectively be deemed to mean:
1. 
City.
The term "City" means the City of Carson.
2. 
Driver.
Any person in direct and immediate possession or charge of driving or operating a taxicab.
3. 
Owner.
Every person, firm or corporation having proprietary control or right to proprietary control of any passenger-carrying automobile or motor propelled vehicle, as herein defined.
4. 
Taxicab.
A motor propelled vehicle which is used for the transportation of passengers for hire over and along public streets, not over a defined route, but as to route and destination in accordance with and under the direction of the person hiring such vehicle.
5. 
Taximeter.
A mechanical instrument or device by which the charge for the hire of a taxicab is registered, calculated, or indicated by figures in accordance with the distance traveled and/or the time elapsed and the number of passengers carried.
6. 
Stand.
A place upon a public street in the City for the use, while awaiting employment, of the particular taxicabs authorized to utilize the same.
7. 
Person.
Any natural person, firm, corporation or association of persons.
(Ord. 50 § 6500)
All words, terms and phrases not defined in the foregoing section shall, where used in this Chapter, have the meanings or meaning commonly ascribed to them.
(Ord. 50 § 6501)
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of operating any taxicab in the City of Carson without first having obtained from the City Council a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. All persons applying for such a Certificate shall file with the City Council a sworn application which shall set forth:
(a) 
Name and residence address of the owner, person applying and financially interested in the operating of said taxicabs.
(b) 
The fictitious name, if any, under which such applicant does business or proposes to do business.
(c) 
The business address of all persons, directors, officers, trustees and/or other individuals connected or professed to be connected directly or indirectly, with the business.
(d) 
The number of vehicles actually owned and the number of vehicles actually operated by such owner on the date of application.
(e) 
The number of vehicles for which a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity is desired.
(f) 
A description of each vehicle for which a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity is requested giving name, type, make, year of manufacture and passenger seating capacity.
(g) 
The color scheme, insignia, name, monogram or other distinguishing characteristics proposed to be used on each vehicle.
(h) 
The make and type of taximeter intended to be installed in each taxicab.
(i) 
The street number and exact location of each taxicab stand which applicant proposed to use.
(j) 
The proposed schedule of rates to be charged which shall not exceed that established and set from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
(k) 
A statement of the applicant's estimate of the need for taxicab service, supported by factual data.
(l) 
A financial report of the applicant.
(m) 
The experience of the applicant in the transportation of passengers.
(n) 
Any facts which the applicant believes would show that public convenience and necessity require the granting of a certificate.
(o) 
Such other information as the City Council or City Administrator may require.
(Ord. 50 § 6502)
Each application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity shall be accompanied by an initial application fee of $100.00, an annual fee of $150.00 and $50.00 for each taxicab covered by the initial application.
(Ord. 50 § 6503; Ord. 00-1199 § 2)
Upon receipt of the fully completed application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to engage in the business of operating a taxicab, the City Clerk shall set a time not sooner than ten (10), nor more than thirty (30) days thereafter, for the hearing of said application before the City Council.
(Ord. 50 § 6504)
Written notice of each hearing shall be given to all persons to whom Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for operation of a taxicab have been theretofore issued. Due notice of the time and place of the public hearing before the City Council shall be given to the general public by causing a notice of such hearing to be posted in at least three (3) public places within the City.
(Ord. 50 § 6505)
No Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity shall be granted until the Council shall, after the hearing, declare by resolution that the public convenience and necessity requires the proposed service and that the following conditions exist:
(a) 
That the applicant is financially responsible and that the officers of said applicant are of good moral character.
(b) 
That the persons holding permits or licenses for the operation of motor vehicles for hire are under an experienced and efficient management earning a fair and reasonable return on the capital devoted to such service.
(c) 
That the applicant has complied with the provisions of all City, State and Federal laws applicable to the proposed operations.
(d) 
That the service requested will not result in a greater hazard to the public and will not create traffic congestion or parking problems.
(e) 
That the vehicles described in the application and proposed to be used are adequate and safe for the purpose intended.
(f) 
That the color scheme, insignia, name, monogram, or other distinguishing characteristics proposed to be used on such vehicle or vehicles is not in conflict with and does not imitate any color scheme, insignia, name, monogram or other distinguishing characteristics used by any person, in such manner as to mislead or tend to mislead, deceive or defraud the public; and that no other color scheme, insignia, name, monogram or other distinguishing characteristic has heretofore been designated for such applicant.
(g) 
That existing transportation is inadequate to meet the public need.
(h) 
That all the information contained in the application has been verified as true and sufficient.
(i) 
That the location of any proposed taxicab stand or stands are such that they will not congest or interfere with travel on any street or use thereof by the public, and the proposed stands are not within three hundred (300) feet of any other stand on the same street (except that at and across any intersection, stands may be permitted within two hundred (200) feet of one another).
(Ord. 50 § 6506)
If the Council finds that the taxicab service applied for is required by the public convenience and necessity, and that the applicant is fit, willing, and able to perform such public transportation and to conform to the provisions of the Carson Municipal Code and all rules promulgated by the City Administrator, then the City Council shall by resolution declare that the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity be issued by the City Administrator. Such certificate shall specifically designate the number of taxicabs authorized by the certificate.
(Ord. 50 § 6506; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
If the Council finds that the public convenience and necessity does not justify the granting of a Certificate, it shall deny the application and forthwith notify the applicant of said finding.
(Ord. 50 § 6507; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
The Council may, upon a showing at a public hearing as provided for in CMC § 6504 that the public convenience and necessity justify the operation of additional taxicabs, amend an existing Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to authorize such additional taxicabs. Each application for a modification of a Certificate of Public Necessity shall be accompanied by an application fee of $25.00 plus $15.00 for each additional taxicab requested.
(Ord. 50 § 6508)
It shall be unlawful to operate any taxicab, as defined in CMC § 6500, unless there shall be filed with the Director of Finance a liability insurance policy issued by a solvent corporation holding a certificate of authority to do insurance business in the State of California, which policy shall conform in all respects to the requirements of this Section and which meets the approval of the Director of Risk Management or her/his designee. In lieu of filing the insurance policy herein referred to, a Certificate of Insurance issued by an insurance corporation meeting the approval of the Director of Risk Management or her/his designee may be filed. The Certificate must show that a policy meeting the requirements of this Section has been issued and shall set forth the expiration date of such policy. The liability policy required under this Section shall name the City as additional insured and shall insure against loss from the liability imposed by law for injury to or death of any person or damage to any property caused by the operation of any vehicle operated under the provisions hereof in the following amounts, to wit:
(a) 
$250,000 for death or injury to any one (1) person in any one (1) accident.
(b) 
$500,000 for death or injuries to two (2) or more persons in any one (1) accident or occurrence.
(c) 
$100,000 for damage to property of others.
The policy of insurance so provided shall contain a provision that such policy may not be cancelled or reduced in amount except after thirty (30) days' (or as soon as possible) notice in writing, to be given to the City Manager of the City of Carson.
(Ord. 16-1593 § 2; Ord. 00-1199 § 3; Ord. 69-66 § 2; Ord. 61 § 1; Ord. 50 § 1)
Notwithstanding the requirements for public liability insurance set forth in CMC § 6510, a Certificate holder may, in lieu thereof, self-insure against liability in accordance with the following provisions:
(a) 
The Certificate holder shall file with the Finance Director a current balance sheet, certified by a certified public accountant, which indicates that the Certificate holder has a net worth of not less than $750,000. Said certified balance sheet shall be filed periodically, as required by the Finance Director, but not less than annually. Whenever the City shall find that the Certificate holder's net worth appears to be less than $750,000, the Finance Director may revoke the authority of the Certificate holder to file certified balance sheets in lieu of a policy of liability insurance, and shall require the Certificate holder to file a policy of liability insurance as provided in CMC § 6510.
(b) 
The Certificate holder shall file evidence satisfactory to the City that the Certificate holder shall pay damages which it or the operators of the Certificate holder's vehicles may become legally obligated to pay as a result of injury to third persons, or damage to real or personal property of third persons, resulting from the operation of any vehicles by the Certificate holder or its operators.
(c) 
The Certificate holder shall comply with all requirements, rules and regulations of the Finance Director, including, but not necessarily limited to, the maintenance of adequate reserves, notice of claims, adjusting policy, and claims management procedures.
(d) 
Prior to the issuance or renewal of a Certificate, the applicant or Certificate holder shall execute an indemnity agreement on a form provided by the City which provides that, by the acceptance or use of the Certificate, the applicant or Certificate holder agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend the City, its officers and employees, against any and all claims, demands or causes of action which may be asserted against them, or any of them, for damages to persons or property of whatsoever nature arising out of the operations conducted pursuant to said Certificate.
(Ord. 87-786 § 1)
No Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity may be sold, assigned, mortgaged or otherwise transferred without the consent of the City Council.
(Ord. 50 § 6510; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
The initial Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued hereunder to any applicant shall be for a period of one (1) year, at the end of which time the certificate holder may reapply for a new certificate. Every certificate issued other than as an initial certificate, shall be for an indefinite period of time. All certificates are subject to revocation in the manner prescribed herein.
(Ord. 69-89 § 1; Ord. 50 § 6511; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
After the service for which a certificate is granted hereunder is discontinued, or if the person sells his business or discontinues his or its business for a period of forty-five (45) days, the certificate granted hereunder shall be automatically null and void and shall be reissued only in accordance with the provisions hereof.
(Ord. 50 § 6512; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
A certificate issued under the provisions of this Chapter may be suspended or revoked at any time by the City Council if the holder thereof has:
(a) 
Violated any of the provisions of the Carson Municipal Code;
(b) 
Discontinued operations for more than thirty (30) days;
(c) 
Violated any laws of the City of Carson, or of the State of California, or of the United States, the violations of which reflect unfavorably on the fitness of the holder to offer public transportation;
(d) 
Operated the taxicab or taxicabs at a rate of fare in excess of that established and set from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
(Ord. 50 § 6513; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
Upon being informed that sufficient justification exists to suspend or revoke a Certificate, the City Council shall fix a time and place for a public hearing thereon. At least five (5) days' written notice setting forth the grounds for suspension or revocation and information regarding the time and place where such hearing will be held shall be given the holder of the Certificate in question and to all persons holding valid Certificates. Notice of the time and place of such public hearing before the City Council shall be posted in at least three (3) public places within the City.
(Ord. 50 § 6514; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
If the City Council finds that sufficient justification does exist for the suspension or revocation of a Certificate, then the City Council shall by resolution demand that such Certificate be surrendered to the City Administrator. Certificates which shall have been suspended or revoked by the City Council shall forthwith be surrendered to the City Administrator and the operation of any taxicab or taxicabs covered by such Certificate shall cease and be unlawful.
(Ord. 50 § 6515; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
If an owner to whom a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity has been issued desires to sell or transfer his business, the intended Buyer must make application to the City of a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity as required by CMC § 6502. The seller and holder of the Certificate must file an affidavit of intention to surrender and cancel the existing certificate and licenses conditionally upon and concurrently with consummation of sale and issuance of a new Certificate and licenses in the name of the buyer.
If the buyer applicant meets the requirements as set forth in CMC § 6505 for the issuance of a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity, the Council shall issue a new Certificate to the buyer and concurrently herewith shall cancel the seller's Certificate.
(Ord. 50 § 6516; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
Notwithstanding CMC § 6511, the holder of every Certificate shall annually apply to the City Manager for a renewal of his Certificate and his application shall include an annual renewal fee of $150.00 plus $50.00 per taxicab, authorized in the Certificate. The deadline for filing a renewal application and submitting the renewal fee shall be the expiration date of the holder's Certificate. Failure to meet such deadline shall result in a penalty fee in the amount of fifty (50) percent of the total renewal fee.
(Ord. 00-1199 § 4; Ord. 50 § 6517; Ord. 69-66 § 2)
If a taxicab owner desires to substitute one (1) vehicle in place of another and if such vehicle to be substituted complies with all requirements of the Carson Municipal Code, the City Administrator is authorized to approve the substitution.
(Ord. 50 § 6518; Ord. 69-66 § 2)