Chico Municipal Code Art. I Generally

This chapter is adopted pursuant to the municipal affairs provision of the charter to enact rules and regulations reasonably necessary to govern vehicles for hire, and the owners and drivers of such vehicles for hire, to protect the peace, health, safety, and welfare of the community.

(Prior code § 26.1 (Ord. 895 §2, Ord. 1360 §l, Ord. 1778 §l, Ord. 1910 §1, Ord. 2303, Ord. 2352 §2))

As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases have the meanings set forth in this section, unless the context in which any such word or phrase is used clearly requires another meaning:

A. “Chief of Police” means the chief of the city of Chico police department, or a designee.

B. “City Manager” means the city manager of the city of Chico, or a designee.

C. “Driver” means a person who drives, operates or is in actual physical control of any vehicle for hire.

D. “Owner” means any person who has title, in whole or in part, to any vehicle for hire.

E. “Vehicle for hire” means any of the following:

1. “Jitney” or “jitney vehicle” means a vehicle used for the transportation of passengers at a predetermined rate between certain fixed points within the city, originating or terminating within the city, the route of which is not under the direction of the passenger or person who hires the vehicle;

2. “Taxi” or “taxicab” means every vehicle used for the transportation of passengers for hire operated over the public streets of the city, but not over a defined route, the destination of such vehicle being under the direction of the passenger or person who hires the vehicle; and

3. Whenever the word “vehicle” shall appear in this chapter, it shall mean vehicle for hire unless specifically defined otherwise.

(Ord. 2352 §2)

The chief of police shall receive applications for permits, issue and revoke permits, and otherwise implement the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 26.3 (Ord. 895 §2, Ord. 2352 §2))

It shall be unlawful for any owner, driver, or vehicle for hire to operate within the limits of the city without first obtaining the appropriate permit required under this chapter. The vehicle for hire shall be deemed to be operated within the city if the point of origin or terminus of such travel or operation is within the limits of the city.

(Prior code § 26.4 (Ord 895 §2, Ord. 2352 §2))

The provisions of this chapter are not intended to regulate the following:

A. Pedicabs and any like vehicle driven by human motive power;

B. Limousines, charter buses, or any other charter party carrier, as defined by the Public Utilities Commission and subject to regulation by the Public Utilities Commission; and

C. Non-emergency medical transportation services as defined by and subject to regulation by Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, as amended.

(Prior code § 26.5 (Ord. 895 §2, Ord. 1778 §2, Ord. 2352 §2))

Applications for permits required by this chapter shall be made in writing to the chief of police on such forms as prescribed by the chief of police.

(Prior code § 26.6 (Ord. 895 §2, Ord. 2268 Ord. 2352 §2))

The city council may establish fees for the permits required by this chapter. Such fees shall be due and payable upon submission of an application to the chief of police, and shall not be refundable, regardless of the disposition of the application. In addition to such permit fees, the applicant shall pay currently any and all other taxes or fees as may be required by the provisions of this code, including, but not limited to, city business licenses.

(Prior code § 26.7 (Ord. 895 §2, Ord. 2268, Ord. 2352 §2))

The city council is hereby empowered from time to time when in its discretion the public welfare requires such action, to adopt by resolution and enforce a schedule of fares and charges for vehicles for hire.

(Prior code §26.7-l (Ord. 895 §2, Ord. 2268 Ord. 2352 §2))