Chapter 5.68
FOR-HIRE VEHICLES
5.68.000 Chapter Contents
Sections:
5.68.001 Administrative provisions.
5.68.002 Business and occupations tax applies.
5.68.010 Purpose.
5.68.020 Definitions.
5.68.030 License required.
5.68.032 Occupational permit – Required.
5.68.035 Exemptions.
5.68.090 Complaint inspection.
5.68.100 Revocation, suspension or denial of business license.
5.68.110 Prohibited acts.
5.68.160 Refusal to pay fare.
5.68.170 Violations – Civil infraction.
(Ord. 7424 §47, 2025; Ord. 6694 §16, 2010, repealed OMC 5.68.070, 5.68.080 and 5.68.130 through 5.68.150).
5.68.001 Administrative Provisions
The administrative provisions contained in OMC Chapter 5.05 shall be fully applicable to the provisions of this chapter except as expressly stated to the contrary herein.
(Ord. 7424 §47, 2025).
5.68.002 Business and Occupations Tax Applies
The provisions contained in OMC Chapter 5.04 shall be fully applicable to businesses regulated under this chapter.
(Ord. 7424 §47, 2025).
5.68.010 Purpose
Under the police power of the City, this chapter is intended to enact reasonable regulations governing the operation of taxicabs (for-hire vehicles) within the City. These regulations are necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City who use these vehicles as transportation.
(Ord. 7424 §47, 2025; Ord. 6694 §16, 2010; Ord. 4819 §1(1), 1987).
5.68.020 Definitions
For purposes of this chapter, the terms set forth below shall have the following meanings:
A. “Director” is as defined in OMC 5.02.002.
B. “Driver and operator” means the person physically engaged in driving a for-hire vehicle, whether or not said person is the owner of or has any financial interest in said vehicle.
C. “For-hire vehicle” includes all vehicles used for the transportation of passengers for compensation, except auto stages, buses and ride share vehicles. The term primarily includes taxicabs.
D. “Limousine” wherever used in this chapter means a vehicle operated at a specified cost per hour or trip, and used for the transportation of passengers who have arranged for their transportation through the business office of the operator.
E. “Person” means any natural person of either sex, firms, corporations, partnerships and associations either acting by themselves or by servant, agent or employee. The singular shall include the plural and words referring to a specific gender may be extended to any other gender.
(Ord. 7424 §47, 2025; Ord. 7187 §3, 2019; Ord. 6694 §16, 2010; Ord. 4819 §1(2), 1987).
5.68.030 License required
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in business in the City without first obtaining a license pursuant to the provisions of OMC 5.02. Any additional licensing or permitting requirements of this Chapter 5.68 shall also apply.
(Ord. 7424 §47, 2025; Ord. 7187 §3, 2019; Ord. 6694 §16, 2010; Ord. 4819 §1(3), 1987).
5.68.032 Occupational permit – Required
It is unlawful for any person to operate a for-hire vehicle within the meaning and application of this chapter, unless they have first secured an occupational permit in the manner provided by Chapter 5.10.
(Ord. 7424 §47, 2025).
5.68.035 Exemptions
Auto stages, school buses operating exclusively under a contract to a school district, ride-sharing vehicles under Chapter 46.74 RCW, limousine carriers licensed under Chapter 46.72A RCW, vehicles used by nonprofit transportation providers for elderly or handicapped persons and their attendants under Chapter 81.66 RCW, vehicles used by auto transportation companies licensed under Chapter 81.68 RCW, vehicles used to provide courtesy transportation at no charge to and from parking lots, hotels, and rental offices, and vehicles used by charter party carriers of passengers and excursion service carriers licensed under Chapter 81.70 RCW.
(Ord. 7424 §47, 2025; Ord. 6694 §16, 2010).
5.68.090 Complaint inspection
A. Upon receipt of a passenger complaint, the City shall evaluate same and, if deemed appropriate, send written notice to the licensee, either personally or by mail with a certificate of mailing attached. The notice shall specify the vehicle license number, the nature of the complaint received and the date upon which the complaint was conveyed. If the complaint alleges a vehicle defect, the notice will require that the licensee or the licensee’s agent present the vehicle for inspection to the Olympia chief of police or the chief of police’s designee within five days of receipt of the notice or be subject to license revocation proceedings under this chapter.
B. If upon inspection the vehicle is determined to be in violation of the standards promulgated pursuant to this chapter, the chief of police will notify the Director of said violation.
(Ord. 7424 §47, 2025; Ord. 7187 §3, 2019; Ord. 6694 §16, 2010; Ord. 4819 §1(9), 1987).
5.68.100 Revocation, suspension or denial of business license
A. Renewal or continuation of the business license for a for-hire business is contingent on the following additional conditions not occurring:
1. The applicant/licensee has failed to comply with the inspection requirements of this chapter;
2. A for-hire vehicle is being operated in an unsafe condition which constitutes a danger to the safety and welfare of passengers or the public;
3. The licensee has failed to comply with the State of Washington current laws and rules for Taxis and for-hire vehicles;
4. The licensee has charged rates which exceed those set forth in the posted or filed rate schedule;
5. The licensee has failed to procure and maintain liability insurance;
6. The licensee has violated Section 5.68.110 of this chapter.
B. Prior to the revocation, suspension or denial of a business license hereunder, the city shall notify the licensee/applicant at least five days prior to such suspension, revocation or denial. Said notice shall advise the licensee/applicant that the licensee/applicant has the right to a hearing prior to the effective date of any such suspension, revocation or denial.
(Ord. 7424 §47, 2025; Ord. 7187 §3, 2019; Ord. 6694 §16, 2010; Ord. 4819 §1(10), 1987).
5.68.110 Prohibited acts
In addition to other provisions of this chapter, it is a violation for any licensee to:
A. Falsify any record, document or information required to be kept or submitted to the City by this chapter;
B. Drive or authorize any person to drive a for-hire vehicle which is not properly equipped and in safe condition as required by provisions of this chapter, as now or hereafter amended;
C. Drive or authorize any person to drive a for-hire vehicle which is not equipped with seat belts for all passengers;
D. Allow the operation of any for-hire vehicle by a driver who is not licensed under the provisions of this chapter or who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs while operating the for-hire vehicle.
(Ord. 7424 §47, 2025; Ord. 6694 §16, 2010; Ord. 4819 §1(11), 1987).
5.68.160 Refusal to pay fare
It is unlawful for any person to refuse to pay the posted fare for a for-hire service after the service has been rendered.
(Ord. 7424 §47, 2025; Ord. 6694 §16, 2010; Ord. 4819 §1(16), 1987).
5.68.170 Violations – Civil infraction
A. It shall be a civil infraction for a person, firm, limited liability company or corporation to violate or fail to comply with any term or provision of this chapter. Each day shall be a separate infraction. A person, firm, limited liability company or corporation found to have committed a civil infraction shall be assessed a monetary penalty as provided in OMC Chapter 4.44, Uniform Civil Enforcement.
(Ord. 7424 §47, 2025; Ord. 6694 §16, 2010; Ord. 6081 §17, 2001; Ord. 4819 §1(17), 1987).