Sec. 18-62. - Permits and exemptions.

(a)

Permits Required. No person shall drive or operate a taxicab unless under the authority of a valid taxicab vehicle permit and a valid taxicab driver's permit, or applicable certificates of exemption for such permits, issued by the sheriff's office.

(i)

Taxicab Vehicle Permit. A taxicab business owner shall not allow any person to operate a taxicab controlled by the taxicab business owner unless under the authority of a valid taxicab vehicle permit. Such permit shall authorize a particular motor vehicle to be used for the purpose of operating as a taxicab in accordance with this article.

(ii)

Taxicab Driver's Permit. A taxicab driver shall not drive or operate a taxicab unless under the authority of a valid taxicab driver's permit. Such permit shall authorize a particular individual to drive or operate a taxicab in accordance with this article. If a taxicab driver operates taxicabs through employment with a taxicab business owner, then the taxicab driver's permit issued under this article shall be valid only during the term of such employment, and shall become void upon termination of such employment. In this event, the taxicab driver or employer shall notify the county of the termination of employment, and the taxicab driver shall return the taxicab driver's permit to the county.

(b)

Certificates of Exemption. The county acknowledges that several incorporated cities located within its geographic boundaries have enacted taxicab vehicle and driver regulations for their respective jurisdictions that address public health, safety, and welfare issues. The sheriff's office has the authority to waive the permit requirements of this section by issuing certificates of exemption with respect to particular taxicabs and/or taxicab drivers who are operating under valid permits or licenses issued by such cities if they are similar in nature to the permits required under this section. Any certificate of exemption issued under this article does not operate to suspend the operation or enforcement of any other provision of this article; all other provisions remain valid and enforceable against all persons who have received certificates of exemption. The conditions under which the sheriff's office may issue certificates of exemption to taxicabs and taxicab drivers include the following:

(i)

The applicable city's taxicab vehicle and/or taxicab driver permit or licensing regulations satisfy all requirements of state and federal law;

(ii)

The applicable city's taxicab vehicle and/or taxicab driver permit or licensing regulations meet or exceed the minimum requirements set forth in this article; and

(iii)

The permits or licenses issued under the applicable city's taxicab vehicle and/or taxicab driver regulations have a maximum term of one (1) year, and are required to be renewed annually.

(c)

Non-Transferable and Non-Assignable. Permits and Certificates of Exemption issued under this article are not transferable or assignable.

(Ord. No. 6029, § I, 4-23-2013.)