HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 1993-2574 ORDINANCE NO. 2574
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 5.54.010, 5.54.030 AND
5.54.050 OF THE CHULA VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADDING A
NEW SECTION 5.54.055, RELATING TO TAXICAB REGULATION AND
LICENSING
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: Section 5.54.010 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code is
amended to read as follows:
5.54.010 Purpose-Intent.
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate taxicab operators in the city to best serve the
public interest and to permit a sufficient degree of flexibility in operation so as to allow an increased
number of vehicles to be operated under the direction and supervision of a certified operator during
peak demand hours. Any vehicles operating and picking up passengers within the city shall first
have paid the license tax and administrative fee provided in the master fee schedule and meet all
requirements for the operation as set forth in this chapter.
It is the intent of the city to prohibit the transfer of a certificate by an approved operator.
It shall be required that any such operator surrender his certificate to the city if he should cease to
do business within the city. (Ord. 2574 §1, 1993; Ord. 2003 §2 (part), 1982).
SECTION II: Section 5.54.030 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code is
amended to read as follows:
s.54.03o Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and
phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
A. "Certified operator" means a person authorized by the Police Chief to operate a taxicab or
taxicabs in the city and who has been issued a certificate for the operation of such vehicles.
B. "Driver" means every person in charge of, or operating, any passenger-carrying or
motor-propelled vehicle, either as agent, employee, or otherwise, of owner, as owner, or
under the direction of the owner.
C. "Person" means any individual, partnership, association, corporation or other organization
owning, operating or proposing to operate any taxicab or taxicabs within the city.
D. "Street" means any place commonly used for the purpose of public travel.
E. "Taxicab" means every automobile or motor-propelled vehicle of a distinctive color or colors,
and/or of public appearance such as in common usage in this country for taxicabs, (e.g.,
vehicles such as pickup trucks and dune buggies would not normally be used for taxicab
purposes), and/or operated at rates per mile, or for wait-time, or for both, and equipped
Ordinance No. 2574
Page 2
with a taximeter, used for the [ransportation of passengers for hire over the public s~reets
of the city, and not over a defined route, and irrespective of whether the operations extend
beyond the boundary lines of the city, and such vehicle is routed under the direction of such
passenger or passengers, or of such persons hiring the same.
G. "Taximeter" means and includes any mechanical or elecn'onic instrument, appliance, device
or machine by which the charge for hire of a passenger-carrying vehicle is mechanically or
electronically calculated for distance traveled and time consumed, and upon such
instrument, appliance, device or machine such charge is indicated by figures.
H. "Flag drop" means the starting of the taximeter at the time that the taxi is hired. Flag drop
may also be understood to mean the initial charge assessed at the time the taxicab is hired.
(Ord. 2574 §2, 1993; Ord. 2408 §1 (part), 1990; Ord. 2003 §2 (part), 1982).
SECTION III: Section 5.54.050 of the Chula Vista Municipal Code is
amended to read as follows:
5.54.050 Certificate-Application-Investigation required.
Before any application is acted upon, the Police Chief shall cause an investigation to be
made of:
A. The number, kind and type of equipment and the color scheme to be used. All vehicles, if
they are more than two years of age, must have on deposit with the city a certification
showing that an annual inspection meeting the requirements and standards set forrub in
Section 5.54.055 has been made by an acceptable government agency or an inspection
station licensed under Section 9887.1 of the Business and Professions Code of the state and
approved by the Chief of Police or desiguee. Failure to satisfy said inspection requirements
may result in the suspension of the certificate for said vehicle until necessary corrections
have been made. Said inspection shall be renewed on an annual basis. All vehicles shall
be owned by the Certified Operator. Where Certified Operator is an association, each
member of the association shall be the owner of that member's taxicab(s).
B. Each Certified Operator shall be the owner of said taxicabs and shall maintain said vehicles
in a clean and sanitary condition at all times. Where Certified Operator is an association,
each member of the association shall be the owner of that member's taxicab(s), and be
responsible for maintaining that member's vehicle(s) in a clean and santiary condition at
all times. If any of said taxicabs are leased to drivers by the Certified Operator, the Certified
Operator shall immediately provide the Police Chief with a copy of said lease; or names of
lessees holding leases in a form previously submitted and on file; provided, however, that
such lease arrangement shall not relieve the Certified Operator of any responsibilities and
obligations for the safe maintenance and cleanliness of the taxicabs which has been leased.
(Ord. 2574 §3, 1993; Ord. 2408 §1 (part), 1990; Ord. 2003 §2 (part), 1982).
SECTION IV: A new Section 5.54.055 is added to the Chula Vista
Municipal Code to read as follows:
Ordinance No. 2574
Page 3
5.54.055 Inspection Criteria.
Specific criteria for taxicabs to pass inspection shall be determined and published in policy
form by the Chief of Police or designee. Minimum taxicab standards which must be maintained to
comply with this section shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Tires. Tires shall meet the requirements of the California Vehicle Code; Hubcaps
or wheel covers shall be on all wheels for which hubcaps or wheel covers are
standard equipment.
{2) Taximeter. Taximeter shall have been inspected, tested, approved and sealed by an
authorized representative of the State of California, and thereafter so maintained
in a manner satisfactory to the Chief of Police or designee. Taximeter shall be
working with the inspection seal in its original, unbroken state;
(3) Brakes. Brakes, brake lights or brake system shall be operable and otherwise meet
the requirements of the California Vehicle Code; Both the parking and hydraulic
or other brake system must be operable.
(4) Mirrors. Side and rear-view mirrors shall not be missing or defective;
(5) Inter/or/Exterior. The interior and exterior of the taxicab shall be maintained in a safe and
efficient operating condition, and meet California Vehicle Code requirements and the
requirements of this Ordinance at all times when in operation.
(6) Interior. The interior of each vehicle and the trunk or luggage area shall be
maintained in a reasonably clean condition, free of foreign matter, offensive odors
and litter. The seats shall be kept reasonably clean and without large wear spots.
The door handles and doors shall be intact and clean. The trunk or luggage area
shall be kept empty except for spare tire, and personal container for the driver not
exceeding one (1) cubic foot in volume and emergency equipment, to allow
maximum space for passenger luggage and belongings.
(7) Body Condition. There shall be no tears or rust holes in the taxicab body and no
loose pieces hanging from the taxicab body. Fenders, bumpers and light trim shall
be securely fixed to the taxicab. No extensive unrepaired body damage shall be
allowed. The taxicab shall be equipped with front and rear bumpers. The exterior
of the taxicab shall be maintained in a reasonably clean condition so as not to
obscure the approved color scheme and/or taxicab markings.
(8) Paint. The taxicab shall be painted and marked in accordance with Section 5.54.260 of this
Municipal Code.
(9) Lights. Headlights shall be operable on both high and low beam. Taillights,
parking lights, signal lights, and interior lights shall all be operable.
(10) Wipers. Each taxicab shall be equipped with adequate windshield wipers
maintained in good operating condition.
(11) Steering. Excessive play in the steering mechanism shall not exceed three (3)
inches free play in turning the steering wheel from side to side.
Ordinance No. 2574
Page 4
(12) Engine. The engine compartment shall be reasonably clean and free of
uncontained combustible materials.
(13) Mufflers. Mufflers shall be in good operating condition.
(14) Windows. The windshield shall be without cracks or chips that could interfere with
the driver's vision. All other windows shall be intact and able to be opened and
closed as intended by the manufacturer. The windows and windshield shall be
maintained in a reasonably clean condition so as not to obstruct visibility.
(15) Door Latches. All door latches shall be operable from both the interior and exterior
of the taxicab.
(16) Suspension. The raxicab's suspension system shall be maintained so that there are
no sags because of weak or broken springs or excessive motion when the taxicab
is in operation because of weak or defective shock absorbers.
(17) Seats. All seats shall be securely fastened. Seat belts, when required by the
California Vehicle Code, shall be installed. The uphoistery shall be flee of grease,
holes, rips, tom seams and bums.
(18) Each taxicab shall be equipped with a device which shall plainly indicate to a person
outside the taxicab whether the taximeter is in operation or is not in operation.
(19) Each taxicab shall be assigned a body number by the Certified Operator. The trade name
and body number shall be painted or permanently affixed in letters and numerals no less
than four (4) inches high on both sides and the rear of the taxicab.
(20) All taxicabs shall be equipped and operated so that they may be dispatched by two-way
radio communication or other communication systems, as may be approved for such use by
the Chief of Police, in response to a telephone or other request for service by a prospective
passenger.
(21) All taxicabs shall be equipped with a light on top clearly identifying the taxicabs as
taxicabs.
(22) Any other aspect of the taxicab's condition shall exist which reasonably and
rationally pertains to the operating safety of the taxicab or to passenger or
pedestrian safety.
Any taxicab which falls to meet the requirements of the California Vehicle Code, this section
or other inspection criteria as delineated in policy form by the Chief of Police, shall be immediately
ordered out-of-service by the inspecting individual or agency. Said agency shall immediately inform
the Chief of Police or designee of any such actions.
Ordering a taxicab out-of-service does not constitute a suspension or revocation of the
permit. Permits for taxicabs which have been ordered out-of-service may be n'ansferred to other
taxicabs owned by the same Certified Operator which did not carry a valid permit for the City of
Chula Vista.
Resumption of in-service status shall be contingent upon remedy of any deficiencies or
violations noted in the failed inspection. For all taxicabs so reinstate to in-service status, the
Ordinance No. 2574
Page 5
inspecting individual or agency shall immediately inform the Chief of Police or designee of any such
actions.
SECTION V: This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force on
the thirtieth day from and after its adoption.
Presented by 2~ Approved as t~o f~i~y
~ruce M. Boogaar~
Chief of Police City Attorney
Ordinance No. 2574
Page 6
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Chula
Vista, California, this 2nd day of November, 1993, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers: Fox, Horton, Moore, Rindone, Nader
NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers: None
Tim Nader, Mayor
ATTEST:
Beverly~A. Authelet, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO ) ss.
CITY OF CHULA VISTA )
I, Beverly A. Authelet, City Clerk of the City of Chula Vista, California, do
hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 2574 had its first reading on
October 26, 1993, and its second reading and adoption at a regular meeting of
said City Council held on the 2nd day of November, 1993.
Executed this 2nd day of November, 1993.
Beverly ~. Authelet, City Clerk