Chapter 5.17 — TAXICABS

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a uniform and comprehensive process for approval of taxicab operations. (Ord. 97-39 § 2 (part), 1997)

For the purposes of this chapter, the words and phrases herein defined shall be construed in accordance with the following definitions:

“Driver” means a person who drives or controls the movements of a taxicab.

“Owner” means a person who is registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles as the owner of a vehicle used as a taxicab, or who has a legal right to possession or control of such vehicle pursuant to a lease or other agreement. The act of any driver of a vehicle used as a taxicab shall be deemed an act of the owner.

“Prearranged trip” means a trip using an online-enabled application, dispatch, or internet website.

“Regulatory authority” means the County or any city within the County where a taxicab business is substantially located.

“Substantially located” means either of the following: the city or county where a taxicab business is primarily located; or the city or county where the total number of prearranged and nonprearranged trips that originate account for the largest share of the taxicab business’s total number of trips over the previous calendar year as determined annually.

“Taxicab” means a vehicle capable of carrying not more than eight persons, excluding the driver, and used to carry passengers for hire. The term shall exclude a vehicle operating as a charter party carrier licensed as such by any State agency, including the California Public Utilities Commission, a rideshare as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 522, or any other vehicle having a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by any State agency, including the Public Utilities Commission.

“Taxicab business” means any enterprise, whether carried on for profit or otherwise, that operates taxicabs.

“Taxicab business permit” means a valid permit issued by the City authorizing a person to operate a taxicab business.

“Taxicab driver’s permit” means a valid permit issued by the City authorizing a person to drive or control the movements of a taxicab.

“Taxicab vehicle permit” means a valid permit issued by the City authorizing a particular vehicle to be operated as a taxicab. (Ord. 97-39 § 2 (part), 1997; Ord. 2023-22 § 244, 2023)

A. No person shall operate a taxicab or taxicab business in the City without a taxicab business permit, taxicab driver’s permit, and taxicab vehicle permit.

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City of Newport Beach, CA § 5.17.030 BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS § 5.17.090

B. Notwithstanding subsection (A) of this section, a taxicab business and its driver may
perform prearranged trips within the City if the taxicab business, taxicab driver, and taxicab
vehicle are permitted by a regulatory authority where the taxicab business is substantially
located.
(Ord. 97-39 § 2 (part), 1997; Ord. 2023-22 § 245, 2023)

A. The City Council shall adopt by resolution regulations of taxicab businesses substantially located in the City including, but not limited to, the establishment of a maximum rate for fares, and the permitting of taxicab drivers, taxicab businesses, and taxicab vehicles, which shall be published on the City’s website and available to the public in the office of the City Clerk.

B. No person shall operate a taxicab vehicle or taxicab business substantially located in the City unless in compliance with the administrative regulations adopted by the City Council pursuant to this section. (Ord. 2023-22 § 246, 2023)

A. Application for a taxicab business permit, taxicab driver’s permit, or taxicab vehicle permit shall be made to the City, upon forms provided by the City, and shall be accompanied by an application fee sufficient to cover the administrative costs of processing such application as established by resolution of the City Council.

B. Requirements for issuance and maintenance of a City taxicab business permit, taxicab
drivers permit, and taxicab vehicle permit shall be set forth in the regulations established
by the City Council.
(Ord. 97-39 § 2 (part), 1997; Ord. 2023-22 § 249, 2023)

A. The requirements of this chapter are separate and independent from the business licensing and any other provisions under this Code.

B. A taxicab business that is not substantially located within the City shall not be required to obtain a City business license. (Ord. 2023-22 § 250, 2023)

The owner of taxicab business and/or taxicab vehicle and the taxicab driver shall each be jointly and severally responsible and liable for all acts and omissions of the taxicab driver while the driver operates a taxicab in the City. (Ord. 2023-22 § 251, 2023)

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City of Newport Beach, CA § 5.20.010 BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS § 5.20.050