Beaumont Municipal Code Ch. 5.28 Automobiles for Hire

An "automobile for hire" includes every automobile or motor- propelled vehicle by means of which passengers are transported for hire upon any public street in the City and not over a regular or defined route, irrespective of whether the operation extends beyond the boundary limits of the City or not; automobile for hire shall include taxicabs and ambulances.

(Ord. 293 §1, 1958)

It is unlawful to operate or cause to be operated an automobile for hire upon any public street within the City, without first having obtained a permit in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. Except that no permit shall be required of a vehicle for hire delivering passengers into the City from outside the City, a vehicle operated by the holder of a franchise duly and regularly issued by the City Council, or a vehicle operated by a duly authorized passenger stage corporation as defined in the Public Utilities Code of the State.

(Ord. 293 §2, 1958)

Any person desiring to obtain the permit required by this Chapter, shall pay an application fee of $50.00 to the City Clerk, and shall make application for the permit to the City Clerk, which application shall set forth the following:

A. The name and address of the applicant, and if the same is a corporation, the names of its principal officers, or if the same is a partnership, the names of the partners, with the address of each;

B. A statement as to whether the permit is desired for a taxicab, ambulance or other classification;

C. A description of every motor vehicle which the applicant proposes to use, giving the trade name, motor and serial numbers, and State license numbers;

D. Body style, and seating capacity;

E. The street number and exact location of the place or places where the applicant proposes to stand each such automobile for hire;

F. The distinctive color scheme, name, monogram, or insignia which shall be used on such automobiles for hire;

G. Proposed schedule of rates and fares to be charged for carrying passengers;

H. If any proposed stand is in a public street, the application shall be accompanied by a written consent thereto of all the occupants of the ground floor of any building in front of which such vehicle is to be located, and for 25 feet each way there from, or if there is no such occupant, by the written consent thereto of the owner or lessee of such building or lot.

Upon receipt of an application for a permit, the City Clerk shall set a time not less than ten days nor more than 30 days thereafter for the hearing of the applicant before the City Council, and shall give notice to the applicant by mail at the time so set, at least five days prior to the date of the hearing.

(Ord. 293 §4, 1958)

At the time set for the hearing of such application and determine whether or not the public interest, convenience and necessity require the issuance of the permit. Upon the favorable finding by the City Council, it shall order the City Clerk to issue a permit in accordance with the application, subject to the filling and approval of the policies of insurance required under this chapter.

(Ord. 293 §5, 1958)

In the event that any permit holder desires to change his schedule of rates or charges, or color scheme, name, monogram, or insignia used on such automobiles for hire, or to increase or decrease the number of vehicles operated by him, he shall first make application for permission to do so from the City Council, which permission shall be granted if, in the discretion of the City Council, it deems public interest, necessity and convenience will be sub-served by such change; and, provided further, that the permit holder has complied with all provisions of the chapter.

(Ord. 293 §6, 1958)

No permits issued under this chapter shall be transferred whether by contract or operation of law, without the permission of the City Council, and any such attempted transfer shall be sufficient cause for revocation of the permit.

(Ord. 293 §7, 1958)

The following reasons shall be sufficient for denial of the application for a permit:

A. That the application does not contain the information required by this chapter;

B. That the vehicle or vehicles described in the application are inadequate or unsafe for the purposes for which they are used;

C. That the color scheme, name, monogram, or insignia to be used upon such automobile for hire is in conflict with or imitates any color scheme, name, monogram, or insignia used by any other person, firm or corporation, in such a manner, as to be misleading or tend to deceive or defraud the public;

D. That the location of the stand designated in the application, will congest or interfere with travel on any public street;

E. That the applicant has had been previous permit provoked, or has been previously convicted of a felony, or is not of sound moral character;

F. If the City Council determines that there is a sufficient number of automobiles for hire of the classification applied for, in the City, to adequately serve the public, or that the granting of additional permits would unduly congest traffic and interfere with the free use of the streets by the public, or that the public interest, convenience and necessity do not require the issuance of such permit.

(Ord. 293 §8, 1958)

Before a permit shall be issued, the applicant shall deliver to the City Council a policy or policies of insurance providing for the payment of all legal claims for damages to persons or property resulting from the operation of the automobile or automobiles referred to in the application.

(Ord. 293 §9, 1958)

The minimum amount for which liability shall be assumed for injury to or death of one person in anyone accident shall be $700,000.00, and for injury of or death of more than one person in anyone accident shall be $700,000.00, and the minimum amount for which liability shall be assumed for injury to or destruction of property in anyone accident shall be $700,000.00. Such insurance policies shall be approved by the City Council.

(Ord. 707 §3, 1992)