Nevada City Municipal Code Ch. 5.20 Taxicabs

As used in this chapter:

"Driver" means any person in charge of, or operating, any taxicab either as owner or employee, or under the direction of owners or employees.

"Owner" means any person or persons authorized to operate taxicabs and taxicab stands within the city.

"Taxicab" means any motor-propelled passenger vehicle for hire, used for transporting passengers in accordance with the expressed wishes of such passengers, and not operated over a fixed route.

"Taxicab stand" means any location within the city at which the owner of taxicabs has been authorized to keep one or more taxicabs for public hire and to receive requests from the public for the use of such taxicabs.

(Ord. 290 § 1, 1958)

It is unlawful for any person to use or operate taxicabs or taxicab stands within the city without an authorization from the city pursuant to this chapter.

A. Upon verification of compliance with the requirements of this chapter, the chief of police may administratively authorize use or operation of taxicabs or taxicab stands within the city on a non-exclusive basis, subject to payment of processing and license fees prescribed by ordinance or resolution of the council. Such authorization shall be for a period not to exceed one year, renewable annually.

B. The city council may, at its discretion, grant a franchise to any person, or persons, for the exclusive right to operate taxicabs and taxicab stands with such rules and regulations as the council may, from time to time, prescribe by resolution.

(Ord. 290 § 2, 1958; Ord. No. 2010-02, § I, 2-24-2010)

A. All applications for authorization to use or operate taxicabs or taxicab stands within the city on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis and for renewal thereof shall contain the following information which shall be subject to verification before authorization can be granted or renewed:

1. The name, address, and telephone number of the applicant and owner;

2. The number and license plate numbers of all taxicabs to be operated within the city;

3. The nature and amount of liability insurance on each taxicab. Said liability insurance shall be in the amount of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000.00), single limit per occurrence issued by a good and responsible company qualified to do and doing business in the State of California rated overall an "A-" and X, or better, in the most recent edition of Best's Insurance Reports, which shall operate as primary insurance.

B. Proof of insurance shall be filed with the application and such insurance shall not be cancelled or modified without ten (10) days' written notice to the chief of police prior to the date such cancellation or modification becomes effective.

C. The information provided on the application shall be updated and kept current if changes occur before or after authorization is granted.

(Ord. 98-02A § 1, 1998; Ord. 290 § 3, 1958; Ord. No. 2010-02, § II, 2-24-2010)

A. It is unlawful for any person to operate or drive a taxicab within the city:

1. If the person is under twenty-one years of age;

2. If the person is not a citizen of the United States;

3. If the person does not possess a valid driver's license issued by the state;

4. If the person has ever been convicted in the court of any state of the United States or in any federal court of any of the following offenses;

a. Driving a motor vehicle in a reckless manner or while under the influence of an intoxicant or narcotic,

b. Pandering,

c. Using, possessing, selling or transporting narcotics or intoxicating liquors,

d. Imparting knowledge for obtaining narcotics or intoxicating liquors,

e. Assault or battery,

f. Any law or ordinance involving moral turpitude, or

g. Any provision of this chapter;

5. If the person is not a fit and proper person to drive a taxicab.

B. The owner granted authorization to use and operate taxicabs and taxicab stands within the city shall file an affidavit with the chief of police as to each and every driver in his employ demonstrating that they meet the driver requirements herein, providing names, addresses, driver's license numbers, and such information as may be reasonably necessary to verify the information therein, keeping it current when changes are made. The chief of police, if satisfied that all of the foregoing requirements have been met by such affidavit, shall fingerprint each such driver and file the record in the office of the police department. In the discretion of the chief of police, some or all of these requirements may be satisfied by reliance upon records on file with other law enforcement agencies or other cities.

(Ord. 83-5 § 1, 1983; Ord. 290 § 4, 1958; Ord. No. 2010-02, § III, 2-24-2010)

A. Any police officer of the city shall have the right at all times to inspect any taxicab, or portion thereof, which is operating under the provisions of this chapter, and it is unlawful for any owner or driver to interfere with or prevent such inspection.

B. The chief of police shall prohibit the use or operation of any taxicab within the city while the same or any equipment used thereon or therewith is in an unsafe, defective or unsanitary condition. The owner of such taxicab may appeal such prohibition by the chief of police to the city council within ten (10) days. The council shall, after due notice to the owner, hear and determine whether or not the franchise or authorization granted the owner shall be revoked, and the decision of the council shall be final.

(Ord. 290 § 5, 1958; Ord. No. 2010-02, § IV, 2-24-2010)

Each year, the city council may, upon proper notice being given to a taxicab franchise, review the operation of that taxicab franchise during the previous year by giving notice to the taxicab franchise in writing at least ten (10) days before a hearing is to be held. At the hearing, the city council shall review the operation of the taxicab franchise including any citizens' complaints received and any moving violations received by any of the taxicab operators while operating a taxicab in Nevada County. At the conclusion of the hearing, the city council may amend the taxicab franchise with the operator or terminate it if the information at the hearing so warrants. The purpose of this review is to ascertain whether the taxicab service is providing good service to the public and is operating its taxicabs in accordance with the taxicab ordinance and in accordance with the California Vehicle Code.

(Ord. 94-03 § 1, 1994)

A. There shall be posted in each taxicab, so it can clearly seen from any passenger's seat, the name, address and telephone number of the owner of the taxicab, the name of the person driving the taxicab, and the schedule of fares for taxicab service.

B. Any driver employed to transport any passenger to a definite point shall take the most direct route which will carry the passenger to that point safely and expeditiously.

C. If requested, every driver shall give a passenger a receipt for the payment of the correct fare.

D. It is unlawful for any person to hire a taxicab of any owner with intent to defraud such owner or the driver thereof, or for any person in the use of such taxicab to defraud the owner or driver thereof.

(Ord. 290 § 6, 1958)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 90-4 § 3 (part), 1990: Ord. 290 § 7, 1958)