Alhambra Municipal Code Ch. 5.68 Taxicabs

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

DRIVER. Includes every person in charge of or operating any passenger-carrying or motor-propelled vehicle, either as agent, employee or otherwise, under the direction of the owner, as above defined.

OWNER. Includes every person having use or control of, or right to use or control any passenger-carrying automobile or motor-propelled vehicle under ownership, lease or otherwise.

TAXICAB. Every automobile or motor- propelled vehicle used for the transportation of passengers over the public streets of the city, and not over a defined route, and irrespective of whether the operations extend beyond the boundary limits of the city, at rates for distance traveled or for waiting time, or for both, and such vehicle is routed under the direction of such passenger or of such person hiring the same.

('86 Code, § 5.68.010) (Ord. 1413, passed - - )

All drivers, chauffeurs and owners of taxicabs shall be governed by the following rules and regula-tions;

(A) No owner shall employ any driver who is not the holder of a valid permit issued under the provisions of this chapter.

(B) No driver of any taxicab shall smoke any cigar, pipe cigarette or burn tobacco, while passengers are occupying any of the seats of such vehicle.

(C) No driver of any taxicab shall carry any passenger in the driver's seat or compartment while there is room for such passenger in the rear seat or passenger's compartment.

('86 Code, § 5.68.020) (Ord. 3156, passed - - )

It shall be unlawful for any owner to engage in the business of operating any taxicab without first having obtained a permit in writing from the city so to do.

('86 Code, § 5.68.030) (Ord. 3156, passed - - )

Before any permit to engage in the business of operating a taxicab is issued under the provisions of this chapter, the owner shall cause to be filed in the office of the City Clerk a certificate in form satis-factory to the city evidencing that the owner is insured by an insurance carrier authorized to transact business in the state. Such insurance shall be in an amount not less than $250,000 for injury to or death of one person and not less than $500,000 for injury or death to two or more persons in one accident, and not less than $100,000 for injury to property. The insurance shall be maintained in force at all times during which such permit is in force.

('86 Code, § 5.68.040) (Ord. 3156, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 3962, passed - - )

Each applicant for a permit to engage in the business of operating a taxicab shall file in the office of the Director of Finance an application on a form furnished by the city, and containing such informa-tion as the Director of Finance may require.

('86 Code, § 5.68.050) (Ord. 3156, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 3756, passed - - )

It shall be unlawful for any owner or driver of a taxicab to charge for or collect any rate, fare or charge in excess of the amounts theretofore approved by the City Council. Every applicant for a permit to engage in the business of operating a taxicab shall file with his application a schedule of the rates, fares and charges which he proposes to charge or collect for the transportation of passengers in a taxicab. Any owner desiring to increase any approved rates, fares or charges shall file a new or amended schedule setting forth the new rates, fares or charges proposed to be collected. Each such proposed original or amended schedule of rates, fares or charges shall be submitted to the City Council and the City Council may approve, disapprove or modify any such rates, fares or charges.

('86 Code, § 5.68.052) (Ord. 3496, passed - - )

Every applicant for a permit to engage in the business of operating a taxicab shall state in his application the location in the city of his office or headquarters. While operating under the provisions of this chapter, the permittee shall maintain at such location an office or headquarters in charge of a competent person; provided, however, that such permittee may from time to time change the location of such office or headquarters, but, prior to any such change, he shall file in the office of the Director of Finance a notice thereof.

('86 Code, § 5.68.060) (Ord. 3156, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 3756, passed - - )

No permit to engage in the business of operating a taxicab shall be granted to any person until it has been shown to the City Manager's satisfaction that public convenience and necessity require the operation of such vehicle.

(A) No permit shall, however be issued to any person whose color scheme, name, monogram or insignia to be used on such cars shall be in conflict with, or, in the opinion of the City Manager, imitate any other color scheme, monogram, name or insignia used by another concern in such manner as to be misleading or tend to deceive or defraud the public.

(B) No permittee shall use or employ on his or her cars more than two different color schemes, or any color scheme different or other than those described in his or her application for a permit.

('86 Code, § 5.68.070) (Ord. 3156, passed - - )

Upon the filing of any such application, the Director of Finance and the Chief of Police shall each make an investigation of the applicant, and they shall each thereafter make a report and recommendation to the City Manager as to the granting or the denial of such permit.

(A) After the receipt of such recommendations, the City Manager is authorized to approve or deny the issuance of such permit or to approve the issuance thereof, subject to such reasonable conditions as he or she may impose.

(B) Upon approval by the City Manager of the issuance of such permit, the Director of Finance shall issue the same pursuant to the City Manager's instructions.

('86 Code, § 5.68.080) (Ord. 3156, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 3756, passed - - )

(A) Each application shall be accompanied by an application fee in an amount established by City Council resolution per taxicab, which fee shall not be refundable if such permit is not issued.

(B) If such permit is issued, the fee shall constitute the fee for the balance of the then current year.

(C) Thereafter each owner holding a permit shall pay an annual fee of in an amount established by City Council resolution per taxicab, which fee shall be due and payable on January 1 of each calendar year.

('86 Code, § 5.68.090) (Ord. 3156, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 3756, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 3962, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 4587, passed 6-27-11; Am. Ord. 4588, passed 7-11-11)

The City Council may by resolution designate the location of taxi stands at various locations upon the streets of the city.

('86 Code, § 5.68.120) (Ord. 3156, passed - - )

Stands for taxicabs established in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be marked by the Street Department by painting the curb adjacent to the stand yellow, and by marking such stands with the words, “taxi stand,” or with the words similar thereto. All stands may be occupied for the full period of 24 hours per day.

('86 Code, § 5.68.130) (Ord. 1413, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 3123, passed - - )

It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to pay the legal fare of any of the vehicles mentioned in this chapter after having hired the same, and any person who shall hire any such vehicle with the intent to defraud the person from whom it is hired, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

('86 Code, § 5.68.140) (Ord. 1413, passed - - )

It shall be unlawful for any person soliciting patronage for any of the vehicles mentioned in this chapter to misrepresent by word, sign, hat band, insignia or badge, the true identity of the vehicle for which such patronage is sought.

('86 Code, § 5.68.150) (Ord. 1413, passed - - )

Every vehicle operated under provisions of this chapter shall have painted upon a door on each side of such vehicle the name of the owner or the name under which the owner operates, together with his or her telephone number and the vehicle number. Such vehicle and telephone number shall be painted upon the rear of such vehicle and all letters and numbers herein provided to be painted upon such vehicle shall be not less than two and one-quarter inches in width and not less than five-sixteenths inch in stroke.

('86 Code, § 5.68.160) (Ord. 1600, passed - - )

Each vehicle operated under the provisions of this chapter shall display in the rear of the driver's seat and in the passenger's compartment in full view a card not less than eight by eight inches which shall have painted thereon the name of the owner or the name under which he or she operates, his or her business address, telephone number and the schedule of rates charged for the use of such vehicle.

('86 Code, § 5.68.170) (Ord. 1600, passed - - )

It shall be unlawful for any person to drive, operate or be in charge of any automobile for hire without first having obtained a permit in writing so to do from the city.

('86 Code, § 5.68.180) (Ord. 3156, passed - - )

Before any permit to operate an automobile for hire is granted, the applicant therefor shall file in the office of the Director of Finance an application in writing, on blanks to be furnished by the city, containing such information as the Director of Finance may require.

('86 Code, § 5.68.190) (Ord. 3156, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 3756, passed - - )

Upon receipt of an application for a permit, the Director of Finance and the Chief of Police shall each make an investigation of the applicant and shall each submit a report and recommendation to the City Manager as to the granting or denial of such permit.

(A) After the receipt of such recommendations, the City Manager is authorized to approve or deny the issuance of such permit or to approve the issuance thereof subject to such reasonable conditions as he or she may impose.

(B) Upon the approval by the City Manager of the issuance of such permit, the Director of Finance shall issue the same pursuant to the City Manager's instructions.

('86 Code, § 5.68.200) (Ord. 3156, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 3756, passed - - )

(A) Each original application shall be accompanied by an application fee in an amount established by City Council resolution, which fee shall not be refundable if such permit is not issued.

(B) If such permit is issued, the application fee shall constitute the fee for the balance of the current year.

(C) Thereafter, each driver holding a permit shall pay an annual fee in an amount established by City Council resolution, which fee shall be due and payable on January 1 of each calendar year.

('86 Code, § 5.68.210) (Ord. 3156, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 3756, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 3962, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 4587, passed 6-27-11; Am. Ord. 4588, passed 7-11-11)

All chauffeurs must present a valid state driver's license, as required by the Motor Vehicle Act, as a condition precedent to obtain a permit.

('86 Code, § 5.68.250) (Ord. 2995, passed - - )

Transfer of chauffeur's permit from one chauffeur to another is strictly prohibited and will be considered sufficient cause for the immediate revocation of the permit of the chauffeur at fault.

('86 Code, § 5.68.260) (Ord. 1601, passed - - )

Chauffeurs shall at all times while operating any vehicle for hire, carry the permit card issued under § 5.68.200.

('86 Code, § 5.68.270) (Ord. 1601, passed - - )

Each permit and each renewal permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire on December 31 next following the date of its issuance. Each such permit may be renewed by making application for renewal and paying the required fee within the time specified for the renewal of business licenses in Chapter 5.04 of this title.

('86 Code, § 5.68.280) (Ord. 3756, passed - - )

Whenever any permit fee required by this chapter is not paid prior to the delinquency date, a penalty shall be due and is hereby imposed in the manner, as of the time and in the amount specified in § 5.04.192 of this title.

('86 Code, § 5.68.290) (Ord. 3756, passed - - )

It shall be the duty of the Director of Finance to enforce each and all of the provisions of this chapter. and the Chief of Police shall render such assistance in the enforcement hereof as may from time to time be required by the Director of Finance or the City Council.

('86 Code, § 5.68.300) (Ord. 3756, passed - - )