CHAPTER 24
TAXICAB REGULATIONS AND FOR-HIRE DRIVERS

SECTION:

6-24-1:    Taxicab Regulations And For-hire Drivers

6-24-1 TAXICAB REGULATIONS AND FOR-HIRE DRIVERS:

A.    County License Required: Any for-hire vehicles operating within the City limits of the City, whether for pick up or delivery or otherwise, shall bear and display a King County taxicab license or other similar license required by King County for operation of for-hire vehicles.

B.    Unlawful to Operate For-Hire Vehicles Without License: It shall be unlawful for any person to own, operate or drive a vehicle for hire within the City without having first taken out for each and every vehicle so used, a license so to do, to be known as a “vehicle license”. (Ord. 3775, 12-19-83)

C.    Display of License: Every owner or operator of any taxicab or for-hire vehicle shall at all times carry in such vehicle permits issued by the Department of Licenses of the State showing such vehicle to be properly bonded for the protection of the public.

D.    Unlawful Not to Pay Fare: It is unlawful for any driver of a taxicab to refuse to accept as a passenger any person of proper deportment who requests a ride when the taxicab is unemployed. It is unlawful for any person to refuse to pay the regular fare for a taxicab or for-hire vehicle after having hired the same.

E.    Leaving Taxicab Unattended: It shall be unlawful for any driver of a taxicab or for-hire vehicle to leave the same unattended, or to make repairs thereto or wash such vehicle while in a taxicab zone; except that a period of not to exceed sixty (60) minutes is allowed such driver for purposes of taking his meals or shopping during which time such taxicab may be left unattended as long as same does not interfere with other taxicabs within such zone.

F.    Unlawful to Solicit Fares: It shall be unlawful for any for-hire driver to cruise, drive or operate a taxicab repeatedly and persistently to and for upon a public street or to solicit thereon, or on private property, or to haul any additional passengers when his taxicab has been engaged for-hire and is occupied already by a passenger or passengers, except with the permission of such occupying passenger or passengers. (Ord. 3775, 12-19-83)

G.    Violations and Penalties: Any person violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions of this Chapter shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 4462, 7-25-94, eff. retroactive to 7-1-94)