Seal Beach Municipal Code Ch. 5.65 Taxicabs

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall mean:

City Authorization:

city authorization to operate a taxicab business in the city.

Company Permit:

a valid company permit issued by OCTAP authorizing a person to operate a taxicab business.

Driver:

a person who drives or controls the movements of a taxicab.

Driver Permit:

a valid driver permit issued by OCTAP authorizing person to drive or control the movements of a taxicab.

OCTAP:

the Orange County Taxi Administration Program administered by the Orange County Transportation Authority.

Operate a Taxicab:

to drive a taxicab and either solicit or pick up passengers for hire in the city.

Owner:

the registered owner or lessor of a taxicab.

Taxicab:

a vehicle operated within the jurisdiction of the city, capable of carrying not more than 8 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, or any vehicle having a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by any state agency, including the California Public Utilities Commission.

Taxicab Permit:

a valid taxicab permit issued by OCTAP authorizing a particular vehicle to be operated as a taxicab.

(Ord. 1515)

A. A person shall operate a taxicab only if the owner of that taxicab is authorized by the city to operate a taxicab business.

B. An owner shall allow a taxicab owned by or under the control of the owner to be operated only if the owner is authorized by OCTAP to operate a taxicab business.

C. City's authorization to operate a taxicab and taxicab business in the city shall be deemed granted provided each driver and taxicab business possesses all required OCTAP permits and each business possesses a valid city business license.

(Ord. 1515)

A person shall operate a taxicab only if that person possesses a driver permit and city authorization has been granted. An owner shall allow a driver to operate a taxicab owned by or under the control of the owner only if that driver possesses a driver permit and city authorization has been granted.

(Ord. 1515)

A person shall operate a taxicab only if that vehicle displays a taxicab permit and if city authorization has been granted. An owner shall allow a taxicab owned by or under the control of the owner to be operated in the city only if that vehicle displays a taxicab permit and if city authorization has been granted.

(Ord. 1515)

A person shall operate a taxicab business in the city only if that person possesses a company permit and if city authorization has been granted.

(Ord. 1515)

Application for a driver permit, taxicab permit or company permit shall be made to OCTAP, upon a form provided by OCTAP and shall be accompanied by an application fee sufficient to cover the administrative costs of processing the application as established by the Orange County Transportation Authority.

(Ord. 1515)

A driver shall test negative for controlled substances and alcohol as required by any and all applicable and federal statutes.

(Ord. 1515)

A driver operating a taxicab in the city shall at all times carry proof of insurance covering that vehicle, with such policy limits and coverage as established by OCTAP and adopted by city council resolution. Such proof of insurance must clearly identify the vehicle covered.

(Ord. 1515)

No permit issued under this chapter shall be used by or assigned to any person or vehicle other than the person or vehicle named in such permit.

(Ord. 1515)

A taxicab operated under the authority of this chapter shall be equipped according to the standards established by OCTAP and adopted by city council resolution.

(Ord. 1515)

A taxicab operated under the authority of this chapter shall be maintained according to the standards established by OCTAP and adopted by city council resolution.

(Ord. 1515)

A. Each driver shall carry each passenger to his/her destination by only the most direct and accessible route.

B. Each taxicab shall have all permits issued by OCTAP conspicuously displayed according to the standards established by OCTAP and adopted by city council resolution.

C. Each taxicab shall have the following information continuously posted in a prominent location in the taxicab passenger's compartment according to the standards established by OCTAP and adopted by city council resolution:

1. A schedule of rates and charges for the hire of said taxicab;

2. The driver's name and address;

3. The owner's name, address and telephone number;

4. The taxicab identification number;

5. The driver permit issued pursuant to this chapter;

6. The taxicab permit issued pursuant to this chapter; and

7. Any other information required by the city.

D. A driver shall give a receipt for the amount charged upon the request of the person paying fare.

E. A taxicab shall be operated only if the passenger compartment is kept in a clean and sanitary condition.

F. A driver shall not leave his or her taxicab to solicit passenger.

G. The name or trade name of the owner and the number by which the taxicab is designated shall be printed, stamped or stenciled conspicuously on the outside of each taxicab according to the standards established by OCTAP and adopted by city council resolution.

(Ord. 1515)

No driver shall charge rates or charges other than those established by OCTAP and adopted by city council resolution.

(Ord. 1515)

The requirements of this chapter are separate from all other provisions of this code, including, but not limited to, those provisions related to business licensing.

(Ord. 1515)