§ 1101. SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF REGULATIONS.

(a) Scope of Regulations.

(1) Classes of Permits. This Article 1100 shall apply to the following classes of permits issued by the SFMTA:

(A) Permits issued to a person:

Driver Permits.

(B) Permits issued to a person, joint tenants, or Business Entity for use with an identified vehicle or vehicle(s):

Taxi/Ramp Taxi Medallions.

(C) Permits issued to a business that affiliates with permitted vehicles:

(i) Color Scheme Permits.

(ii) Dispatch Service Permits.

(2) Exclusion for Certain Vehicles. This Article 1100 shall not apply to the operation of a motor vehicle:

(A) Engaged in the business of, or used for, transporting passengers for hire when such motor vehicle is operated under and by authority of public convenience and necessity issued by the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California (CPUC) to the extent that the commercial operation of such a Motor Vehicle for Hire is entirely within the scope of such certificate; however, this Article shall apply to such motor vehicles for hire operating without a permit in violation of Section 1105, and no such vehicle may solicit any passenger or accept any passenger, while in the City, unless such transportation is on a pre-arranged basis, consistent with California Public Utilities Code Section 5360.5;

(B) Licensed by any city, city and county, county or other public entity as a motor vehicle for hire which may enter the City and County of San Francisco for the purpose of delivering passengers who have hired the vehicle in a jurisdiction in which it is licensed to operate, provided, however, that no such motor vehicle for hire may solicit or accept any passenger while in the City;

(C) That is regularly operated by a business to transport employees whether within the City or otherwise, provided, however that no such motor vehicle for hire may solicit or accept any passenger while in the City except on a pre-arranged basis, and in conformance with applicable SFMTA rules and regulations;

(D) Operated as a private ambulance and regulated by Article 14 of the San Francisco Health Code; or

(E) Operating on fixed tracks or rails.

(3) Application of Regulations to Permit Holder Conduct. This Article applies to the conduct of Permit Holders at all times while engaged in activity related to the permit.

(b) Purpose of Regulations; Limitation of Liability. It is the purpose of this Article to require all persons, businesses or corporations holding permits issued pursuant to this Article to take steps to improve taxi service to the public and to protect the public health and safety when providing such service. By adopting this Article, the SFMTA is assuming an undertaking to promote the general welfare. It is not assuming, nor is it imposing on its officers and employees, an obligation for breach of which it is liable in money damages to any person who claims that such breach proximately caused injury.

(c) Notice of Regulations. The SFMTA shall offer a copy of this Article 1100 or directions for accessing the online version to each person who is applying for or renewing a permit at the time of application or renewal.

(d) Incompatible Activities. No permit governed by this Article may be issued to an employee of the SFMTA except with the prior written approval of the Director of Transportation.

(e) Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Article or any part thereof, is for any reason held to be invalid or ineffective, such decision shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remaining portions of this Article or any part thereof. The SFMTA Board hereby declares that it would have adopted and promulgated each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid or ineffective.

(SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 09-23, 2/23/2009; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. 09-077, 5/19/2009; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. , Ad. 1/3/2017, Eff. 2/3/2017; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. , Ad. 10/17/2017, Eff. 11/17/2017; SFMTA Bd. Res. No. , Ad. 10/16/2018, Eff. 11/16/2018)