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DIVISION 1. - GENERALLY#
Sec. 114-21. - Definitions.#
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Conduct a taxicab business means the use of one or more taxicabs within the corporate limits of the city by the owner thereof, for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire, either by driving the taxicab himself or having the taxicab driven by some other person, provided that this definition shall not apply to any licensed chauffeur hired as a driver by any person holding a permit to conduct a taxicab business in the city.
Taxicab means any and all vehicles for hire designed for carrying no more than eight passengers, except motor buses or motor coaches operated by bus lines over designated routes in and through the city.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1(A), (B))
Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.
Sec. 114-22. - Penalty for violation of article.#
Any person who shall conduct a taxicab business in the city without a valid permit, as required by this article, or who shall fail to have all vehicles used by him as a taxicab lettered and painted, as provided in section 114-47, or any person who parks or stands a taxicab on the streets of the city, except when loading or unloading passengers, or any person who violates any provision of this article, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1(R))
Sec. 114-23. - Drivers soliciting passengers.#
It shall be unlawful for any driver of any taxicab to drive or cruise about on the streets of the city seeking passengers who have not theretofore ordered or called for a taxicab.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1(M))
Sec. 114-24. - Parking on streets except for loading and unloading.#
It shall be unlawful for the holder of any permit issued under the terms of this article, or the agent, servant or employee of such permittee, to park or leave standing any taxicab on the streets of the city, except while loading and unloading passengers into and from such taxicab.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1(N))
Sec. 114-25. - Use of unauthorized vehicle.#
It shall be unlawful for any person conducting a taxicab business in the city to use or operate, or cause to be used or operated, as a taxicab, any vehicle not owned by him.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1(O))
Sec. 114-26. - Passenger buses exempted.#
This article shall not apply to passenger buses operating under the regulations of the state railroad commission, and coming into or passing through the city for the purpose of loading and unloading passengers.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1)
Secs. 114-27—114-40. - Reserved.#
DIVISION 2. - PERMIT#
Sec. 114-41. - Required; application contents.#
Before any person shall conduct a taxicab business in the city he shall file with the city clerk or secretary an application to the council for a permit to conduct such business in the city. The application shall state the name and address of such applicant, whether the applicant is an individual, firm, or corporation, and, if a firm, the name and address of each member thereof and the number of vehicles proposed to be operated under such permit.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1(C))
Sec. 114-42. - Applicant qualifications.#
If the applicant is an individual, before any permit is granted, it shall be shown that he is a bona fide resident of the city; if a partnership, then that the member of the firm who will be in active charge and control of the affairs of the partnership is a bona fide resident of the city; and if a corporation, that the president, or other executive officer, in active charge and control of the affairs of the corporation, is a bona fide inhabitant or resident of the city.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1(D))
Sec. 114-43. - Council to grant.#
It shall be the duty of the city secretary, when an application for a permit is filed with him at the next regular meeting of the council following the filing of such application, to call the attention of the aldermen thereto. Upon consideration of such application the council may grant or refuse such permit as in their discretion may seem to be in the best interest of the citizenship of the city and the public in general.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1(E))
Sec. 114-44. - Issuance; period of validity.#
All permits for the conduct of a taxicab business in the city shall be issued and signed by the city secretary and sealed with the seal of his office. It shall be dated on the day of its issuance, shall bear a serial number, shall show the name and address of the permittee and that the permittee has been authorized by the city council to conduct a taxicab business in the city until the expiration of one year. The permit is subject to cancellation at any time by the council.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1(F))
Sec. 114-45. - Vehicles for hire fees.#
At the time of issuance of a permit, the permittee shall pay to the city secretary the sum prescribed in the fee schedule found in Appendix B of this Code for the first vehicle. If more than one vehicle is proposed to be operated as a taxicab, then the fee prescribed in the fee schedule found in Appendix B of this Code for each additional vehicle shall be paid. At the time of the issuance of the permit, the permittee shall file with the city secretary a statement in writing under oath, signed by him, showing the number of vehicles proposed to be operated by him, and the make, model, motor number, and state license number of each. If at any time the holder of a taxicab permit shall desire to use any additional vehicles under the permit, he may do so only after he has made an application to the council for, and been granted by the council, a permit to use such additional vehicles. He shall furnish to the city secretary the same information regarding those covered by the original permit and shall pay to the city secretary the sum prescribed in the fee schedule found in Appendix B of this Code for each such additional vehicle.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1; Ord. No. 2024-08, § 12, 3-12-24)
Sec. 114-46. - Insurance.#
The holder of any permit to conduct a taxicab business in the city shall at all times during the life of such permit keep each and every vehicle operated by him under his permit insured in a company authorized to do business in the state, indemnifying the permittee in the sum of $100,000.00 for injury or death, $300,000.00 for injury or death per occurrence, and $100,000.00 for property damage resulting from any accident, through and by reason of the operation of his taxicabs. Such policies or certificates of insurance shall be approved by the city attorney and filed and left with the city secretary. Such policies of insurance shall not be cancelled or surrendered, except upon written notice to the city secretary. Failure of any permittee to procure and file the policies of insurance, as required by this section, shall immediately forget and make null and void such permit and all rights thereunder shall at once cease.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1(H))
State Law reference— Financial responsibility, Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. art. 6701h, §§ 1(10), 5(c).
Sec. 114-47. - Taxicabs to be marked with permit number.#
Every holder of a permit granted under the terms of this article shall have and keep painted in fast colors, contrasting with the color of vehicle, on each side of each and every vehicle operated by him as a taxicab, the words "Taxi Permit No. _____," filling in the blank with the figures denoting the serial number of his permit. The letters and figures shall be not less than five inches in height.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1(I))
Sec. 114-48. - Monthly inspection of taxicabs.#
Every holder of a permit to conduct a taxicab business in the city shall have each and every taxicab used in his business inspected once each month, and shall file with the city secretary on or before the first day of each and every month a statement, in writing, signed by a competent, resident mechanic showing that he has inspected such vehicle, the date of such inspection, the license number of such vehicle, the name of the permittee and the serial number of his permit; and that the lights, brakes, and steering apparatus of all such vehicles, so inspected by him, are in good mechanical condition.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1(K))
Sec. 114-49. - Revocation.#
Any permit issued under the provisions of this article shall be nonassignable, and may be revoked by the council at any time it shall appear to the council that the permittee has violated any provision of this article or failed to comply with any requirements of this article.
(Code 1979, ch. 4, § 1(L))