Chapter 14.28 — VEHICLE PERMITS

Prior legislation: Ords. 1687 NCS, 1676, 1160, 479, 204, 73; prior code §§24.75-24.95.

No person shall operate a bus or an automobile for hire in the city without making application for and being

issued a permit for each vehicle operated. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

The application for a permit required by the preceding section shall contain the following information:

A. A statement that the applicant holds a currently valid certiJcate, together with the number thereof, or if it be

the case, that the certiJcate has been applied for but not yet issued and a statement of the date of application

therefor;

B. The name and business address, residence address, business telephone number and residence telephone

number of the applicant.

C. The make, type, year of manufacture and seating capacity of the vehicle for which application is made;

D. A general statement that the applicant has complied, or prior to the commencement of operation of the

vehicle, will comply with all of the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 14 Transportation and Utilities | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 27 of 76

All applications for permits required by this chapter shall be made to the central permit bureau. (Ord. 2217 NCS

§2, 2005.)

No permit shall be issued under this chapter unless or until the following minimum conditions are complied with:

A. The applicant presents satisfactory evidence that he holds a currently valid certiJcate applicable to the

business for which application for the permit is made;

B. The applicant has complied with all of the provisions of this chapter, including satisfactory evidence that the

requirements for a bond or liability insurance required by Section 14.12.090 have been complied with.

(Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

The owners of buses to whom permits have been issued shall pay no fee therefor. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

The owners of automobiles for hire to whom permits have been issued shall pay annually a fee as set by council

resolution, per permit. Such permit fee is payable in advance and will accompany the application for the issuance

of permits. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

Upon approval of a permit application therefor, the central permit bureau shall issue the permit to the applicant

therefore. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

Upon application pursuant to this chapter, the central permit bureau shall issue one permit for each vehicle

speciJed by the council at the time of the approval of the certiJcate. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 14 Transportation and Utilities | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 28 of 76

If permits are lost or destroyed, the central permit bureau, upon receipt of proper application therefor, shall issue

duplicate permits with the same serial number as that of the permit which was lost or destroyed. (Ord. 2217 NCS

§2, 2005.)

In each permit, reference shall be made to the number and date of the certiJcate of the owner to whom the

permit is issued. The vehicle to which a permit applies shall be described therein by make, model, engine number,

passenger capacity, the date of issuance and the serial number thereof. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

Before a permit for the operation of any bus or automobile for hire shall be issued, and prior to the operation of

any of such vehicles if a permit has been issued, there shall be Jled with the city clerk a policy of public liability

insurance executed and delivered by a company authorized to carry on an insurance business in the state, the

Jnancial responsibility of which company shall theretofore have been approved by the city manager, by the terms

of which the insurance company insures the owner and permittee of such bus or automobile for hire against loss

by reason of injuries to persons or property caused by the operation of such vehicle in the following amounts:

comprehensive general liability of three hundred thousand dollars per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury

and property damages; automobile liability of three hundred thousand dollars combined single limit per accident

for bodily injury and property damage; and workers’ compensation and employers liability as required by the

labor code of the state of California and employers liability of one million dollars per accident; provided, however,

that no policy of insurance issued by any mutual assessment or reciprocal company as deJned by the insurance

code of the state shall be accepted by the city manager; and provided further, that such insurance shall not expire

nor be revocable, except upon written notice to the city clerk at least thirty days prior to such expiration or

revocation. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

Permits required by the provisions of this chapter, to whomever issued, may be revoked or suspended by the

council for violation of any of the terms of this chapter, for violation of any of the terms of such license, or for

misuse or abuse of the privilege thereby granted. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 14 Transportation and Utilities | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 29 of 76

Any permit issued pursuant to the terms of this chapter may be temporarily suspended by the police chief upon

the Jling of a written complaint by or with him for a period not to exceed the time necessary to perfect an appeal

to the city council pursuant to the terms of Sections 14.28.140 through 14.28.180, for a violation of any of the

provisions of this chapter. Upon failure of the permittee to Jle an appeal within the time limit speciJed by such

sections, the suspension ordered by the police chief shall become permanent and he shall thereafter revoke such

permit. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

Within thirty days after the denial of an application for or suspension of a permit, the applicant or permittee, as

the case may be, may Jle a written appeal with the city clerk stating in detail the reasons why the application

should be granted or the suspension should be revoked, notwithstanding any action of the police chief to the

contrary. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

Within twenty-four hours of the receipt of the written appeal provided for by Section 14.28.140, the city clerk shall

advise the city manager and the police chief of such appeal, and within the same period shall advise the city

manager, the police chief and the appellant of the date on which the council will consider the appeal. Such date

shall not be later than ten days from the date the appeal is Jled with the city clerk. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

Upon receipt of notice required by Section 14.28.150 that an appeal has been Jled, the police chief shall furnish a

written report of his reasons for the denial of the application or the suspension of the permit, as the case may be,

to the city manager. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

The city manager shall add any endorsement he considers appropriate to the report of the police chief

contemplated by Section 14.28.160 and Jle the same with the city clerk for action by the council. (Ord. 2217 NCS

§2, 2005.)

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 14 Transportation and Utilities | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 30 of 76

The city council shall deny any appeal instituted as provided in Section 14.28.150 if it Jnds that the applicant has

not complied with all of the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

Permits required by the provisions of this chapter, to whomever issued, shall be nontransferable. (Ord. 2217 NCS

§2, 2005.)