Petaluma Municipal Code Ch. 14.08 Commercial Passenger Vehicle CERTIFICATES1

1 Editor’s Note: Prior ordinance history includes portions of prior code §§24.34-24.41 and Ordinance Nos. 73

NCS, 204 NCS and 856 NCS.

It is unlawful for any person to operate or cause or permit to be operated any automobile for hire or bus in the

city unless such person has Jrst procured a certiJcate of public convenience and necessity. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2,

2005.)

In determining whether the public convenience and necessity require the issuance of any certiJcate, the council

shall hold such public hearings as it may deem necessary. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

No certiJcate shall be issued under this chapter unless and until the minimum conditions in Sections 14.08.040

through 14.08.060 are complied with. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

The applicant shall not have been convicted of a felony or of a crime involving moral turpitude, of reckless driving

or of driving while under the inKuence of intoxicating liquor or of narcotics, unless after investigation and report

by the chief of police, the council authorizes the issuance of such certiJcate. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

The applicant shall have complied with all of the provisions of this chapter, including satisfactory evidence that the

minimum requirements for a bond or liability insurance required by Section 14.28.120 have been met, and the

performance bond required by Section 14.12.090 has been posted; provided, that if the applicant produces

evidence satisfactory to the council that the bond or liability insurance required by Section 14.28.120 will be

procured and the performance bond required by Section 14.12.090 will be posted prior to actual commencement

of operations, the certiJcate may be issued, conditioned upon becoming eMective at such time as the requirements of such Sections 14.12.090 and 14.28.120 are complied with by the applicant. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2,

2005.)

The council shall Jnd that the public convenience and necessity requires the issuance of the certiJcate. The council

may, however, deny application for a certiJcate for any reasonable cause which in its sound discretion is contrary

to the public welfare. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

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

§2, 2005.)

Each certiJcate shall state the date of its issuance, the date of its expiration, if any, the serial number thereof, and

shall contain a simple, concise statement to the eMect that the owner is authorized to engage in a business of

operating buses or automobiles for hire, as the case may be, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and the

resolution granting such certiJcate on Jle in the oLce of the city clerk. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

Based on the request of the owner in his application for a certiJcate, or revision thereof, and on the review and

recommendation of the police chief and the commission, the council shall, by resolution at the time of issuance of

the certiJcate, specify and approve the location of bus stops and routes and the contents of requested bus

schedules. Such resolution shall be referred to in and made a part of the certiJcate. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

Any certiJcate issued under this chapter shall automatically expire and be deemed revoked and of no eMect if the

owner to whom it is issued:

A. Fails to have a permit issued to him to operate a bus or automobile for hire within sixty days from the date of

issuance of such certiJcate; or

B. If, after commencing operations, he shall suspend operations or cease or engage in the business of selling

transportation for hire within the city for a period of forty-Jve days.

(Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)

In determining mechanical Jtness and cleanliness of a bus as required by Section 14.12.020 or of other vehicles

for hire as provided in Section 14.16.020 the police chief shall be guided by the minimum standards of the rules

and regulations promulgated by the State Public Utilities Commission. (Ord. 2217 NCS §2, 2005.)