It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to control and regulate the activities of taxicabs in the Town of Brookhaven. History has shown that there is a need for licensing and review of taxicab companies in the interest of promoting public safety and morals, child welfare, economic well-being and highway safety and usage. This chapter is intended to protect the peace and security of our citizens in their homes and neighborhoods; to safeguard consumers against fraud and inferior services; and to prevent congestion and unsafe conditions on the streets and highways of the Town. It has been made with reasonable consideration of the character of our community and with a view to preserving that character, among other considerations.
A. 
Word usage. Words used in the singular in this chapter shall include the plural and vice versa. The word "shall" is always mandatory.
B. 
Wherever "Commissioner" appears it shall mean "Commissioner of Public Safety or his designee."
C. 
Definitions. The following definitions shall govern the interpretation of this chapter unless otherwise expressly defined herein:
BLACK CAR(S)
(Reserved)
BUSINESS
Includes any single act of transporting a passenger or passengers in a motor vehicle for hire or for compensation of any kind upon the public streets, road and highways within the Town of Brookhaven.
CRUISING
To travel about the street and roadways at random.
DEPOT
An additional place of business in the area where an owner's terminal is located.
LICENSE
Due authorization in writing, as provided herein, which permits a person to engage in the business of transportation for hire or to employ others for said purposes.
LIMOUSINE
Includes any motor vehicle engaged in transportation for hire in connection with funerals, weddings, proms and other events or functions of a similar nature, or in connection with general transportation for hire when, at the prior request of the passenger(s), pickup is made by prior arrangement, whether hired by the hour, by the day or for a fixed fare, and/or so licensed by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
[Amended 3-17-2022 by L.L. No. 2-2022, effective 3-24-2022]
MEDI BUS
(Reserved)
OPERATOR
Includes a natural person who is entitled to obtain in his or her own name proper New York State licensing for the operation of a motor vehicle for the purpose of transportation for hire.
OWNER
Includes a person, as defined herein, who is a business owner, principal, director and/or officer of a business, a purchaser under a reserve title contract, conditional sales, contract or vendor's lien agreement and a lessee who is entitled to obtain in his or her own name proper New York State registration of the vehicles engaged in the business of transportation for hire, and/or a person owning or controlling one or more taxicabs or limousines and operating/driving or causing to be operated/driven any such vehicle for hire.
PASSENGER
Includes any person other than the operator/driver who is an occupant of a taxicab or limousine upon the public streets, roads and highways within the Town of Brookhaven.
PERMIT
Due authorization in writing, as provided herein, which permits a natural person to operate a motor vehicle engaged in transportation for hire.
PERSON
Includes natural persons, corporations, partnerships, unincorporated associations or any other organizations of two or more persons.
TAXICAB
Includes any motor vehicle engaged in the business of transportation for hire, other than a limousine.
TERMINAL
A fixed base of operations located within the area for which application is made and designated as zoned for business, which also has adequate off-street parking facilities for licensed vehicles when not in operation.
TOWN
Includes all areas within the Town of Brookhaven, exclusive of areas wholly within any incorporated village.
TRANSPORTATION FOR HIRE
Includes the transporting of a passenger or passengers in a motor vehicle, for hire or for compensation of any kind, upon the public streets, roads and highways within the Town of Brookhaven.
VEHICLE FOR HIRE
Includes any motor vehicle used in the transporting of a passenger or passengers, for hire or for compensation of any kind, upon the public streets, roads and highways within the Town of Brookhaven.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to vehicles solely owned and operated for the activities set forth herein:
A. 
Private vehicles not engaged in the business of transportation for hire.
B. 
Business vehicles engaged in a business other than transportation for hire, wherein said vehicles are used solely for transportation of clients of said business, whether for a fee or not, and are not made available for hire by persons other than clients of the principal business.
C. 
Hotel vehicles engaged in the transportation of hotel guests only.
D. 
Club vehicles engaged in the transportation of club members only.
E. 
Public or private school vehicles engaged in the transportation of school pupils only.
F. 
Buses as defined by New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
G. 
Vehicles for hire engaged in transportation from a point within the Town to a point without the Town, or from a point without the Town to a point within the Town, or from a point without the Town, through the Town, to a point beyond the Town.
H. 
Vehicles for hire engaged in transportation upon a defined route under a franchise therefor from the Town of Brookhaven.
I. 
Limousines as defined in § 67-2 herein.