§ 28-14. Regulations and standards for public vehicles.

(a)

All public vehicles which are regulated by this chapter except nonmotorized vehicles and low speed vehicles shall be equipped with the following:

(1)

A rear view mirror and a side view mirror on the driver's side;

(2)

A speedometer properly installed, in good working order;

(3)

Clean, sanitary interior, free from torn upholstery or floor covering and from damaged or broken seats;

(4)

Door hinges and latches in good mechanical working order and doors which operate easily and close securely;

(5)

Body, fenders, doors, trim and grill reasonably free from cracks, breaks, and dents that would impair the safety or appearance of the public vehicle;

(6)

Glass in the windshield and windows that shall be approved safety non-shatterable glass;

(7)

Tires of the size appropriate for the public vehicle and with no mismatched "sized" tires. There shall be no cuts into the tire cord or sidewall area or localized worn spots that expose the ply;

(8)

An operational horn with the activating button mounted in the location designated by the vehicle designed and assembled by the vehicle manufacturer;

(9)

Seat belts that are available for passengers in all seats except jump seats, spaces designed to accommodate wheelchairs or where the seat belts are not required by law. Seat belts in operating condition and easily accessible by all passengers. For the purpose of this section, seat belts which are placed under the seat or between the lower and upper portions of the seat are deemed not easily accessible;

(10)

Standard, operational windshield wipers for the entire front windshield which shall be controlled electronically or by vacuum and operated from the interior of the public vehicle. The wiper blades shall be in such a condition as to make firm contact with the windshield when operational, and shall not be torn or badly worn;

(11)

An operational parking brake and an operational primary brake system which acts on all of the vehicle's axles; and

(12)

An adequately operating air conditioning/heating system and windshield defrost or defogging system, which controls the temperature of the interior of the vehicle between 68 degrees Fahrenheit to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

(b)

The public vehicle shall be structurally sound and operate with a minimum of noise and vibration, and the driver's vision shall be unobstructed on all four sides of the public vehicle.

(c)

There shall be a place provided for the driver's appropriate valid State driver's license to be prominently displayed.

(d)

Additionally, for taxicabs, the items listed below shall be required:

(1)

A taximeter shall be installed and illuminated so as to be easily seen by a passenger sitting in any part of the taxicab.

a.

The taximeter will be of such a type and design as will properly and accurately compute and display on its face the charge for distance traveled or the charge for waiting time.

b.

The operation of any taxicab with a taximeter which is defective or which does not properly and accurately compute and display on its face the charge for distance traveled or the charge for waiting time shall constitute a violation of this article.

c.

The taximeter shall be inspected each time a periodic inspection is made. The taximeter shall be inspected annually by the department of agriculture bureau of weights and measures and their seal affixed to the meter.

d.

No taximeter shall be used between sunset and sunrise unless the face thereof shall be illuminated by a light so arranged as to give continuous light upon the taximeter.

e.

The taximeter shall be one approved by the State department of agriculture bureau of weights and measures or such other enforcing department of the State.

f.

There shall be a signal or other device affixed to the taximeter which indicates whether the taxicab is in use.

(2)

Each operator shall have posted inside of each taxicab, in a conspicuous place, the detailed tariff charged or to be charged for transportation or the tariff must be readily available on any taxicab website or digital application. This tariff shall be printed in such a size as to allow it to be easily readable by persons sitting in the rear seat of the taxicab.

(3)

The name of the driver shall be plainly posted on the inside of the taxicab and it shall also state whether the driver is the owner or lessee of the taxicab.

(4)

The taxicab may have a roof identification device or a dashboard mounted identification device visible from the exterior indicating that the vehicle is a taxicab which may include a device to indicate whether the taxicab is available for hire or is vacant.

(5)

In addition to any vehicle signs allowed by the sign section of the land development regulations, taxicabs shall be allowed one triangular or one two-sided sign on the roof of the taxicab which shall not exceed two feet in height (as measured from the roof) or one one-sided sign which shall be attached to the trunk or bumper and directed toward vehicles following the taxicab. No sign face shall extend beyond any side of the vehicle and no sign face shall exceed five feet in length. If vehicle or window wraps are used, the trade dress insignia must still be readily visible to the public.

(e)

Exempt vehicles are not required to comply with this section.

(f)

Non-motorized vehicles are required to comply with the following:

(1)

Non-motorized vehicles shall be equipped with:

a.

All safety equipment required for vehicles including horn, lights, reflectors and seatbelts, where applicable;

b.

A signaling device, which may be human powered such as a whistle;

c.

A clean, sanitary interior, free from torn upholstery or floor covering and from damaged or broken seats;

d.

Doors which operate easily and close securely and door hinges and latches in good mechanical working order, if the vehicle is designed to have doors; and

e.

Tires of the size appropriate for the vehicle, with no mismatched "sized" tires.

(2)

Non-motorized vehicles may not be operated on any City sidewalk;

(3)

Non-motorized vehicles shall comply with posted regulations for stopping and standing. Non-motorized vehicles may not stop or stand in on-street spaces reserved for bus stops and trolley stops;

(4)

Non-motorized vehicles may use available public parking spaces for stopping or standing but shall comply with posted time requirements and are subject to ticketing for failure to comply with such requirement;

(5)

There shall be a place provided in the vehicle for the public vehicle driver's picture to be displayed;

(6)

Non-motorized vehicles with passengers, except for pedal buses and horse carriages, may only operate between 9th Avenue South and 9th Avenue North and between 32nd Street and Tampa Bay;

(7)

Non-motorized vehicles shall enter into a license agreement with the City prior to transporting passengers;

(8)

A non-motorized vehicle shall have no more than one sign on each side of the vehicle, each not more than two square feet and one sign on the rear of the vehicle not more than four square feet;

(9)

For pedal buses, the following additional requirements shall be met:

a.

A public vehicle certificate shall be issued provided the applicant meets all the requirements set forth in this chapter and provides a copy of a current, valid license agreement with the City. The public vehicle certificate shall be visible from the exterior of the pedal bus on the rear of the vehicle. Failure to have a current, valid license agreement shall result in immediate revocation of the public vehicle certificate.

b.

A public vehicle certificate holder shall operate the pedal bus within 30 days of obtaining a public vehicle certificate.

c.

No alcoholic beverages other than beer, wine, hard cider or malt based beverages below 19 percent alcohol may be consumed by passengers on the pedal bus. No persons under the age of 21 are allowed on the pedal bus during a ride where alcohol is or is planned on being consumed.

d.

All pedal buses shall require passengers to execute a waiver, approved by the City, prior to boarding the pedal bus. Licensee shall make available for inspection such executed waivers upon the City's request.

e.

A pedal bus shall require all passengers under age 16 to wear helmets and offer helmets for all other passengers, regardless of age, at no cost.

f.

All pedal buses may only be used on public streets designated with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less subject to the following exceptions:

1.

Special events . Pedal buses shall not operate within half a mile of any boundary of any event declared to be a special event by a resolution adopted by the City Council during the event and for two hours prior to and two hours after the event. The resolution shall delineate the boundaries within which the special event declaration is to be effective.

2.

The pedal bus shall not operate on December 31 and July 4 between and including 5th Avenue North to 5th Avenue South from Tampa Bay to Interstate I-275 after 5:00 p.m. The POD may increase or decrease the distance and time limitations as determined necessary to have unobstructed pedestrian and vehicular access.

3.

Tropicana Field Events . Pedal buses shall not operate between and including 6th Street and 20th Street and Central Avenue to 5th Avenue South for 1.0 hour prior to and 1.0 hour after an event held at Tropicana Field.

4.

Crossing streets . Pedal buses are allowed on streets designated with a speed limit of over 35 miles per hour for the sole purpose of crossing such portion where a 35 miles per hour or less speed zone is designated on both sides of the street. The pedal bus shall obey all State laws with regards to road crossings and travelling upon State and county roads.

5.

Street closures . Pedal buses are not allowed on streets which have been closed except that if such closure is in association with a parade permit and the pedal bus is an authorized participant in such parade.

g.

A pedal bus shall carry the following insurance at its own expense:

1.

Commercial general liability insurance in an amount of at least $5,000,000.00 per occurrence, with $5,000,000.00 aggregate, and $5,000.00 medical payments coverage. This policy shall include coverage for (i) personal injury or death or property damage or destruction; (ii) participant and passenger liability; (iii) contractual liability under this agreement, and (iv) customers who bring alcohol on the pedal bus.

2.

Automobile liability insurance of $1,000,000.00 combined single limit.

3.

Workers' compensation insurance as required by Florida law and employers' liability insurance in an amount of at least $100,000.00 each accident, $100,000.00 per employee, and $500,000.00 for all diseases.

h.

Pedal buses shall obey all traffic laws and shall not obstruct pedestrian traffic.

i.

No glassware of any kind shall be allowed on the serving area of a pedal bus including but not limited to bottles, receptacles or drinking glasses. Glassware may be allowed to be stored on a pedal bus as long as the glassware is empty, securely stored so as to be inaccessible while the vehicle is in motion, and wrapped in paper, padding, or some other covering to prevent breakage,

j.

A violation of the requirements in this section shall constitute a violation of this Code pursuant to Section 1-7 and may be grounds to revoke a public vehicle certificate.

(g)

Low speed vehicles are required to comply with the following:

(1)

Low speed vehicles shall conform to all Federal and State regulations (currently Title CFR Part 571.500 and F.S. ch. 316).

(2)

Low speed vehicles shall have a clean, sanitary interior, free from torn upholstery or floor covering and from damaged or broken seats;

(3)

Low speed vehicles shall have the exterior parts free from cracks, breaks and dents;

(4)

Low speed vehicles shall be structurally sound and operate with a minimum of noise and vibration;

(5)

Low speed vehicles shall comply with posted regulations for stopping and standing and shall not stop or stand in on-street spaces reserved for, or marked as, bus stops and trolley stops, but may use on-street spaces reserved for taxicabs;

(6)

Low speed vehicles may use available public parking spaces for stopping or standing but shall comply with posted time requirements and meter charges and are subject to ticketing for failure to comply with such requirements;

(7)

There shall be a place provided in the vehicle for the public vehicle driver's picture to be displayed which shall be readily visible to occupants;

(8)

Low speed vehicles shall comply with all traffic regulations and shall not be allowed on any sidewalk;

(9)

Low speed vehicles which may charge a fee shall be regulated as a taxicab but shall not be required to have a taxicab meter.

(10)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, City employees shall be allowed to operate low speed vehicles on any sidewalk or in any park provided such operation is necessary in carrying out their official duties.

(h)

Additionally for vessels the following shall be required:

(1)

Each vessel must display a registration number, and be registered as a commercial vessel if required to be so registered by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

(2)

All operators must be at least 18 years old.

(3)

All vessels shall carry and maintain all safety equipment required by the United States Coast Guard safety requirements.

(4)

All vessels under 26 feet in length shall require all passengers under the age of six to wear a Coast Guard approved personal floatation device.

(5)

All vessels over 14 feet in length must carry a life ring or other equivalent floatation device.

(6)

All vessels are required to have working navigation lighting.

(i)

Non-public sector buses, limousines, and vans shall operate as a pre-arranged service and shall not solicit "walk up" passengers unless operating pursuant to a written agreement with the ownership or management of the location of the solicitation.

(j)

Only a vehicle marked in compliance with this chapter as a taxicab may use the taxi stands.

(Code 1992, § 28-3; Ord. No. 107-G, § 3, 11-4-1993; Ord. No. 531-G, § 2, 4-18-2002; Ord. No. 911-G, §§ 3, 4, 1-8-2009; Ord. No. 969-G, § 1, 2-4-2010; Ord. No. 1027-G, §§ 4—6, 8-18-2011; Ord. No. 1-H, §§ 3, 4, 10-20-2011; Ord. No. 113-H, § 1, 6-5-2014; Ord. No. 213-H, § 1, 1-21-2016; Ord. No. 295-H, § 3, 10-5-2017)