If the chief of police finds that the applicant is duly qualified, in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and there are no grounds for denial, the chief of police, or his or her designee, shall issue a taxicab driver's permit to the applicant upon payment of all required fees. The permit shall be valid for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance unless suspended or revoked for cause. Any applicant denied permit shall be given written notice of the reason(s) for the denial. Permits shall remain the property of the city and are not transferable to any other person or driver. A permit shall be surrendered to the chief of police, or his or her designee, by the driver, upon such driver ceasing to engage in the activity of a taxicab driver.
Taxicab driver's permits shall be denied or revoked on the following grounds:
A. The person does not possess a valid Class C driver's license issued by the State of California.
B. The person is less than twenty-one (21) years of age.
C. The person cannot demonstrate proof of legal residency and/or the ability to legally work in the United States.
D. The person is required to register pursuant to Section 290 of the California Penal Code.
E. The person is not of good moral character as evidenced by a conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, theft, fraud, soliciting for prostitution, the sale or use of narcotics or dangerous drugs; unless a period of not less than ten (10) years has elapsed since the date of conviction or the date of release from confinement for such offense, or completion of probation or parole, whichever is later.
F. The person has been convicted within the preceding five (5) years for driving a vehicle while under the influence of liquor or drugs, or driving recklessly.
G. Repeated and persistent violations of the traffic laws of the city, county or state.
H. Driving any taxicab the driver knew, or should have known, was not in safe operating condition and/or in good repair.
I. False statements) made on any application submitted under this chapter or to the background investigator.
J. Operating a taxicab recklessly, unsafely, or while under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs.
K. Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.
L. The chief of police may revoke or suspend any such driver's permit so issued for any violation of the provisions of this chapter by the holder of such permit or for the existence of any state of facts which would have been a good reason for denying such permit when applied for, whether such state of facts existed at the time application was made for such permit or came into existence thereafter.
M. In the event of a refusal of permit, revocation or suspension of any driver's permit by the chief of police, the applicant or permittee may appeal from the decision to the city council. The city council, at its discretion, may appoint an independent hearing officer, which may in its discretion affirm, reverse or modify the rule made by the chief of police.
(Ord. 344 § 22, 2005)