Ventura Municipal Code Art. 1 Generally

This chapter is adopted pursuant to the city’s police powers and the municipal affairs provision of the City Charter for the purpose of regulating taxicabs and other vehicles for hire that are not regulated by the state. The requirements set forth in this chapter are intended to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare by ensuring that taxicabs and other vehicles for hire charge reasonable rates, are adequately insured, and employ persons that do not pose a threat to passengers, pedestrians, or other drivers. (Ord. No. 2000-12, § 3, 5-9-00)

Unless the contrary is stated or clearly appears from the context, the following definitions will govern the construction of the words and phrases used in this chapter:

“Controlled substance” means those substances specified in Part 40 (commencing with Section 40.1) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulations.

“Driver” means a natural person driving a taxicab either as an employee of an operator or as a self-employed operator.

“In writing” means a telegram, facsimile, or any other written document.

“Negative test for alcohol” means an alcohol screening test showing a breath alcohol concentration of less than 0.02 percent.

“Operator” means a person or entity operating a business within the city that provides taxicab services, including, without limitation, a taxicab leasing company or a driver leasing a taxicab from a taxicab leasing company.

“Person” means a natural or artificial person of any kind, but does not include the city.

“Police chief” means the city’s chief of police, or designee.

“Taxicab” means a passenger vehicle designed for carrying not more than eight persons, excluding the driver, used to carry passengers for hire that is not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission, or any successor agency, which operates within the city’s jurisdiction.

“Waiting time” means the time consumed while the taxicab is not in motion at the direction of a passenger and also the time consumed while waiting for a passenger after having responded to a call. (Ord. No. 2000-12, § 3, 5-9-00)

It is unlawful for any person to operate any taxicab business in the city without a valid operator permit issued pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. No. 2000-12, § 3, 5-9-00)

A. It is unlawful for any natural person to operate a taxicab without a valid driver’s permit issued pursuant to this chapter.

B. It is unlawful for an operator to allow an employee to operate a taxicab without a valid driver’s permit issued pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. No. 2000-12, § 3, 5-9-00)

It is unlawful for any person to operate a taxicab without a valid vehicle permit issued pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. No. 2000-12, § 3, 5-9-00)

Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, the police chief will receive applications, issue and revoke permits, and otherwise implement this chapter according to the procedures herein. (Ord. No. 2000-12, § 3, 5-9-00)

Applicants for a taxicab permit, a driver’s permit, or a vehicle permit, and operators seeking to increase taxicab rates, as specified in this chapter, will pay to the city a fee equal to the sum of money sufficient to reimburse the city for all expenses incurred by it in connection with processing applications for a taxicab, driver, or vehicle permit, or considering a taxicab rate increase. The amount of such fees will be established periodically by the city council and may include, without limitation, compensation for administrative, investigative, and, when applicable, advertising costs. (Ord. No. 2000-12, § 3, 5-9-00)