Oceanside Municipal Code Art. IV Operating Regulations

Taxicab service shall be available at all times by telephone call, by engagement of the taxicab when standing at a regularly assigned stand, or when properly hailed from the street or curb.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

No person as herein defined or driver of a taxicab shall refuse or neglect to transport any orderly person upon request anywhere in the city when a taxicab is standing in a regularly assigned taxi stand; and such service shall be rendered immediately upon request, unless it is readily apparent the prospective or actual person to be transported poses a safety hazard to the driver.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

It shall be unlawful for any driver of a taxicab, while driving such vehicle, to loiter, or stop on a public street for the purpose of soliciting passengers other than at a taxi stand.

All taxicabs operated by certificate holders shall be radio-equipped and computer-dispatched with the ability to dispatch taxicabs via a global positioning system (GPS) which allows the dispatcher to dispatch the closest vehicle to the requesting party.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

It shall be lawful for a taxicab while proceeding to a regularly assigned taxi stand or to the carrier's principal place of business, to accept employment when hailed from the street or curb.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

It shall be unlawful for a driver to accept or discharge passengers at any of the following places:

Crosswalks. In any marked or unmarked crosswalk.

Bus stop. At any regularly established bus stop.

In street. At any place in a street except alongside a curb.

Safety zone. Alongside any curb opposite a regularly established and marked traffic safety zone.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

Every driver of a taxicab who is engaged in carrying passengers shall take the most direct route possible that will carry the passengers safely and expeditiously to their destinations, unless otherwise directed by a passenger.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

When a taxicab is engaged, the person engaging such taxicab shall have the exclusive right to the full and complete use of the passenger compartment; and it shall be unlawful for any person as herein defined, or driver, of the taxicab to solicit, or carry, additional passengers therein.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

The number of passengers which may be carried in any vehicle covered by this chapter shall be limited to the seating capacity of such vehicle as specified by the manufacturer; provided, that in no event shall the seating capacity of such vehicle exceed eight (8) passengers, excluding the driver.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

No person shall be carried in any vehicle who is required to share in any way the seating space occupied by another; nor shall any person be carried who is required to occupy any space in or on such vehicle which does not provide a seat.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

The city council or the city manager may establish taxi stands upon the streets of the city and their times of operation.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

The city council or the city manager may, at any time, change the location or time of operation of any taxi stand if in their discretion public necessity and convenience require such change.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

Such taxi stands or spaces shall be painted a distinct color, such color to be determined by the superintendent of streets, and such spaces shall be marked "For Taxi Cabs Only" and may indicate the hours of operation, if applicable.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

The taxi stands granted in the preceding sections of this article are hereby reserved for the use of vehicles operated pursuant to a valid certificate issued under this chapter.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

It shall be unlawful for any person to stop, park or stand any motor vehicle upon a taxi stand during the designated hours of operation of the taxi stand, unless that person is operating:

(a) A taxi pursuant to a valid certificate issued under this chapter; or

(b) An "authorized emergency vehicle" as defined by the Vehicle Code.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

It shall be lawful to stop a taxicab along the curb of any public street only for the purpose of discharging passengers therefrom, or to accept passengers for hire when hailed from the street or a curb, in accordance with the provisions of section 35.32.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

Every taxicab shall be equipped at all times with a standard type fire extinguisher in good working condition.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

No taxicab shall be operated unless the passenger compartment is kept clean and in sanitary condition.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

No taxicab shall be operated which is older than seven (7) years from the model year as dictated by the manufacturer of that vehicle. When a vehicle listed in the certificate exceeds seven (7) years of age, the certificate holder shall follow the procedures set forth in section 35.58 to replace and re-number the vehicle.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)

Every taxicab shall be equipped with an ability to accept and process credit cards.

(Ord. No. 12-OR0630-1, § 1, 9-19-2012)