Sonora Municipal Code § 5.14 Taxicabs

As used in this chapter:

"Chief" means the chief of police of the Sonora police department or his/her designee.

"City" means the City of Sonora.

"Driver" means every person in charge of or operating, any taxicab or limousine, either as owner or employee or under the direction of owners or employees.

"Limousine" means a motor-propelled vehicle used for the transportation of passengers for hire along public streets, not over a defined route, but as to route and destination in accordance with and under the direction of the person hiring such vehicle. A limousine bears no distinguishing color markings or lights, operates from a fixed location and is hired on an hourly contract basis only.

"Owner" means every person who in any manner has the proprietary use, ownership or control of any passenger carrying motor-propelled vehicle.

"Stand" means a place designated for the use, while awaiting employment, of the particular taxicabs authorized to utilize the same.

"Taxicab" means a passenger vehicle designed for carrying not more than eight persons, excluding the driver, and used to carry passengers for hire. This is a vehicle of a distinctive color or colors and which is of such public appearance as is customary for taxicabs in common usage in this country, and which is operated at rates per mile or upon a waiting time basis or both, and which motor-propelled vehicle is used for the transportation of passengers for hire over and along the public streets, not over a defined route, but as to route and destination, in accordance with, and under the direction of the person hiring such vehicle.

(Ord. 726 (part), 1997.)

It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of operating any taxicab in the city without first having obtained from the police chief a certificate of registration. All persons applying for the certificate shall file with the chief a verified application which shall set forth:

A. Name and address of person making application;

B. If, at the time of making application, the person is actually operating a taxi service in the city, the number of taxicabs owned and operated by applicant;

C. The number of vehicles for which a certificate of registration is desired;

D. The make, type, year of manufacture and passenger seating capacity of each taxicab for which application for a certificate is made;

E. A description of the proposed scheme, insignia, or any other distinguishing characteristics of the taxicab;

F. Other information as the chief may require;

G. The provisions of this section shall not affect the number of taxicabs with valid permits on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter;

H. If the service permitted hereunder is for any reason discontinued for a period of forty-five calendar days, the certificate granted shall be automatically canceled and shall not be restored until compliance is made with this section;

I. If the owner sells or transfers title to a taxicab for which a certificate has been issued, or in the event a taxicab for which a certificate has been issued has been destroyed, the owner is entitled, as a matter of right, upon written application to the chief made within fifteen days after the sale, transfer or destruction, to have a new certificate issued, but for no greater number than sold, transferred or destroyed, and provided the owner has complied with all the provisions of this chapter;

J. The chief may, at any time, revoke or suspend the certificate granted:

1. If the owner's record is unsatisfactory,

2. If the owner fails to operate the taxicabs in accordance with the provisions of this chapter,

3. If the owner discontinues or suspends operations of the taxicab for a period of forty-five days without the permission first obtained from the chief,

4. If taxicabs are operated at the rate of fare other than that registered with the city per Section 5.14.030,

5. All certificates which shall have been suspended or revoked by the chief, shall be surrendered to the chief, and the operation of all taxicabs covered by the certificate shall cease and be unlawful. Any owner who shall retire and not replace any taxicab for a period of forty-five days shall immediately surrender to the chief the certificate granted for the taxicab;

K. Any person who has had a certificate suspended, revoked or denied may make an appeal by written notice to the city administrator no more than ten calendar days after the chief's decision. The decision of the city administrator shall be final.

(Ord. 758 (part), 2003: Ord. 726 (part), 1997.)

Rates of fares will not be regulated by the city. Taxicab operators may charge fares by either a flat rate or by a meter. Meters shall be subject to an audit upon a request made by the chief of police. Taxicab operators must comply within five calendar days from the date of the request made by chief of police. Taxicab operators must submit a certificate from a State of California or Tuolumne County Weights and Measures Office certifying that the meter is operating within performance standards established by the manufacturer. If there is noncompliance in performing an audit or the meter is found to be defective as a result of the audit, the certificate to operate will be suspended until the taxicab operator complies. If taxicab operator does not comply within thirty days of the notice of noncompliance, the certificate to operate will be revoked.

(Ord. 773, 11-20-2006; Ord. 726 (part), 1997.)

A. All passenger vehicles for hire shall be under the supervision and control of the chief of police, and he/she shall not permit any driver to operate any taxicab in the city, while same or any equipment used thereon, or therewith, shall be unsafe, defective or unsanitary condition, and every taxicab shall be at all times subject to the inspection of any officer of the city. Should an officer determine that a taxicab is unsafe, defective or unsanitary, that officer shall require that the taxicab be taken to a licensed automotive repair shop for the necessary corrections to be made. The affected taxicab shall not be permitted to operate until which time the needed repairs have been made.

B. The chief of police is authorized and directed to revoke and cancel, without previous notice, any permit granted hereunder, whenever an owner or driver violates any of the provisions of this chapter. The owner of the permit thus revoked may, within ten days thereafter, appeal from such order or revocation to the city administrator, who shall, after due notice to the owner, hear and determine the matter and their decision therein, shall thereupon become final. Any person whose permit is thus revoked shall not be entitled to apply for another for a period of one year from the date of such revocation.

(Ord. 726 (part), 1997.)

A. Any driver employed to transport passengers to a definite point shall take the most direct route that will take the passenger to their destination safely and expeditiously.

B. If requested every driver shall give a receipt upon payment of the correct fare. In case of a dispute the matter shall be determined by the officer in charge at the police department. Failure to comply with such determinations shall subject the offending party to a charge of misdemeanor.

C. It is unlawful for any person, except where credit is extended, to refuse to pay the lawful fare, as fixed herein, for the use of any taxicab, after hiring same.

D. It is unlawful for any driver operating under a permit issued pursuant to the terms of this chapter, to refuse, when the vehicle is in service and not otherwise engaged, to transport any person who presents himself for carriage in a sober and orderly manner and for a lawful purpose.

E. Each taxicab shall be clearly marked with the taxicab company's name displayed on the left and right front doors of the cab. The taxicab name shall be of letters large enough to read from a distance of one hundred feet.

F. Each taxicab shall be clearly numbered in consecutive order. The cab number shall be located on both front fenders of the cab as well as on the right rear corner of the trunk or rear of the cab. Cab numbers shall be large enough to read from a distance of one hundred feet.

G. The driver of any taxicab operated in this city shall securely attach and clearly display in view of the passenger at all times, the taxi driver permit which shall include the following information:

1. The name of the driver;

2. The name, address and telephone number of the Sonora police department, describing them as the agency regulating the operation of taxicabs in the city;

3. The name, address and telephone number of the taxi company licensed by the agency regulating the operation of the taxicab.

(Ord. 726 (part), 1997.)

Advertising on taxicabs is permitted. Signs displaying any immoral or illegal activity are expressly prohibited. Signs shall be limited to painted signs on the vehicle or one sign on the trunk of the vehicle that does not impair the visibility of the taxi, or other, drivers. No signs will be allowed on the roof of the vehicle.

(Ord. 758 (part), 2003: Ord. 726 (part), 1997.)

A. It is unlawful for any person to operate or drive a taxicab in the city without having first obtained a permit from the chief of police. Such permit shall not be transferable.

B. The chief of police shall not issue a permit and must revoke a permit previously granted:

1. If the applicant is under twenty-one years of age; or

2. If the applicant is not a citizen of the United States; or

3. If the applicant has not resided in the county of Tuolumne for thirty days immediately prior to their application; or

4. If the applicant does not possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of California; or

5. If the applicant is a reckless driver or has been convicted of reckless driving or driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquors or narcotics; or

6. If the applicant is guilty or has been convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude; or

7. If the applicant violates any provision of this chapter.

C. Upon satisfying the foregoing requirements, the applicant shall be fingerprinted and photographed, and thereupon a permit shall be issued, which permit shall be fixed in a conspicuous place in the taxicab so as to be seen from the passenger's compartment as described in Section 5.14.050(G).

D. When issued, the driver's permit shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance, unless the same has been revoked for any of the causes herein set forth. The driver, in making application for a renewal of his/her permit, shall follow the same procedure as set forth in making his original application, except he/she shall not be required to be fingerprinted or furnish photographs.

E. If any driver changes employment to a different taxi cab owner operating in the city, he/she shall, within twenty-four hours, thereafter, notify the chief of police for the purpose of having his/her driver's certificate changed so as to properly designate the name of the new employer. A transfer fee shall be paid at the time the transfer of the permit is made. The newly issued permit shall expire one year from the date of transfer. The driver, in making application for a transfer of his/her permit, shall follow the same procedure as set forth in making his/her original application, except he/she shall not be required to be fingerprinted or furnish photographs.

F. All fees associated with the provisions of this ordinance shall be established by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 726 (part), 1997.)

A. It is unlawful for any owner or operator to drive or operate a taxicab or cause the same to be driven or operated in the city, and no license for the operation thereof shall be granted unless and until there is on file with the city clerk, and in full force and effect at all times while such taxicab is being operated a policy of insurance with a company licensed and authorized to do business in the state of California, insuring the owner of such taxicab against loss by reason of injury or damages that may result from the negligent operation or defective construction of such taxicab, or for any other cause. Insurance coverage must meet the minimum requirements for the city, established by the city council at one million dollars.

B. The policy of insurance shall guarantee the payment to any and all persons suffering injury or damage to person or property, or any final judgement rendered against such owner or driver, irrespective of the financial condition of any acts or omissions of such owner, or driver, and shall inure to the benefits of such persons.

C. If, at any time, such policy of insurance is canceled by the company issuing the same, or the authority of the company to do business in the state of California shall be revoked, the chief shall require the owner to replace such policy with another policy meeting the same requirements as outlined above in default thereof the owner's license to operate shall be revoked.

D. The city and the Sonora police department shall require of each insurance company issuing a policy covering a taxi to advise the chief in writing should the insurance terminate for any reason.

(Ord. 726 (part), 1997.)

A. The chief of police shall designate, in writing, stands upon public streets to be occupied by taxicabs, after the permit has been issued as in this chapter provided, the stands to be designated by the chief.

B. Before any designation of stands is made, the written consent must be obtained of the tenant of the ground floor fronting the space where such stand is to be located. In the event the ground floor is not occupied, the written consent of the owner must be first obtained.

C. The stand permit shall specify the name and address of the permittee and the number of vehicles authorized thereunder, and it is unlawful for the owner or operator of any vehicle for hire, other than the permittee, to use the stand designated under such permit, and when such stand is occupied, no other vehicle shall loiter or wait nearby.

D. Any designated, as herein provided, may be revoked by the chief, and it shall be unlawful for any taxicab to occupy the stand after such revocation.

E. It is unlawful for any operator of a taxicab, while awaiting employment, to drive so as to interfere with vehicular traffic.

F. It is unlawful for any person to park a vehicle in a space which is marked off or reserved for a taxicab under the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 726 (part), 1997.)

Each owner of each taxicab license granted hereunder, shall pay to the city at the time he/she makes application for the license the business license tax as authorized in the city business license ordinance (Chapter 5.04).

(Ord. 726 (part), 1997.)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in a sum not to exceed one thousand dollars, or be imprisoned in the county jail of Tuolumne County, California, for a term not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(Ord. 726 (part), 1997.)

Fees, penalties, etc., shall be amended by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 726 (part), 1997.)