§ 13-2-3. OPERATING AUTHORITY OR TAXICAB FRANCHISE REQUIRED.

(A)

Except as provided by Subsections (B) and (C), a person may not provide or operate a ground transportation service that picks up passengers within the city or represent the person's business to the public as a ground transportation service unless that person obtains an authority to operate the ground transportation service under Section 13-2-161 ( Operating Authority Application Required ) or a taxicab franchise to operate a taxicab service under Section 13-2-403 ( Franchise Application Required ).

(B)

A business with an Operating Authority issued by the City is subject to all provisions of this Chapter regardless of where the passenger pick up occurs.

(C)

This section does not apply to the operation of:

(1)

a vehicle owned, operated, or subcontracted by the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision when providing service exclusively to the governmental entity;

(2)

a vehicle used exclusively for funeral services;

(3)

a courtesy vehicle that:

(a)

routinely provides transportation between the principal place of business of a courtesy vehicle provider and a public transportation terminal;

(b)

is used by an automotive repair business, car dealership, or similar business operation to transport customers to or from their work or home and the business; or

(c)

is operated by a corporation that qualifies for exemption from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(4)

charter bus service operating intra-city service with a valid charter bus service permit issued by the City;

(5)

an ambulance;

(6)

a vehicle rented without a driver;

(7)

a vehicle owned or operated by a person providing transportation incidental to household caregiving services;

(8)

rideshare.

(D)

A driver operating a ground transportation service vehicle without an authority to operate the ground transportation service under Section 13-2-161 ( Operating Authority Application Required ) or a taxicab franchise to operate a taxicab service under Section 13-2-403 ( Franchise Application Required ) or a chauffeur's permit under Section 13-2-101 ( Chauffeur's Permit Required ) may transport a passenger from a point outside the city to one or more points within the city, or may transport the passenger across the city, but may not pick up a new passenger within the city. This Subsection (D) does not apply to Non-City Regulated Charter Service or to a Charter Bus Service Provider.

(E)

A driver operating a taxicab under Subsection (D) shall keep the taximeter running while transporting a passenger within or across the city, or while waiting for a passenger within the city.

(F)

It is presumed that an individual picked up within the city by a ground transportation service vehicle is a passenger.

(G)

A person who provides or operates a ground transportation service in violation of this section commits a Class "C" Misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $500 per offense.

Source: 1992 Code Section 8-13-3; Ord. 031106-13; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 20050818-025; Ord. 20120426-063; Ord. 20130822-081; Ord. No. 20141016-038, Pt. 11, 10-27-14 ; Ord. No. 20141106-054, Pt. 6, 11-17-14 ; Ord. No. 20150416-003, Pts. 3, 5, 4-27-15 .