Watsonville Municipal Code Art. 4 Vehicles

(a) All operators shall maintain motor vehicles used in taxicab transportation services in a safe operating condition, and in compliance with the California Vehicle Code, subject to annual inspection at the Police Department and at a facility that is certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence or a facility registered with the Bureau of Automotive Repair. The inspection shall be completed before renewal of the operator’s permit. If the taxicab successfully completes the safety inspection, a taxicab safety permit sticker shall be issued and shall be displayed in the taxicab rear window.

(b) All operators shall provide a safety inspection report, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, to the Chief of Police at the time of operator permit renewal.

(c) The registered owner of a taxicab, who is aware of or should have been aware of any unsafe condition of the taxicab, shall not allow the taxicab to be used until necessary repairs are made.

(§ 1, Ord. 1401-20 (CM), eff. March 26, 2020)

Every taxicab shall be maintained at all times in a clean and sanitary condition. No driver of any taxicab shall accept, take into the taxicab, or transport any greater number of passengers than the rated seating capacity of the motor vehicle.

(§ 1, Ord. 1401-20 (CM), eff. March 26, 2020)

Any operator with a license for the operation of a taxicab may substitute another motor vehicle for that for which the permit was granted but, before doing so, shall obtain and file with the City Clerk the consent of the insurer on the policy of insurance for such substitution.

(§ 1, Ord. 1401-20 (CM), eff. March 26, 2020)

The operator’s permit to engage in the business of operating a vehicle for hire shall designate a separate number to be placed upon each vehicle to be operated by the permittee.

(§ 1, Ord. 1401-20 (CM), eff. March 26, 2020)

It shall be unlawful for any driver operating a taxicab to obstruct a street or other traffic in the course of receiving or discharging passengers.

(§ 1, Ord. 1401-20 (CM), eff. March 26, 2020)