Temporary deactivation and retirement of a taxicab or for-hire vehicle medallion
Seattle Mun. Code § 6.311.210
in effect6.311.210 - Temporary deactivation and retirement of a taxicab or for-hire vehicle medallion
A. Effective September 1, 2024, any time a medallion is not operating for 60 days or more, the medallion owner, or an authorized representative, shall file a notice of temporary deactivation with the Director in a manner determined by the Director. A temporary deactivation may be for any reason, including, but not limited to, an inoperable or unavailable vehicle, a temporary lack of affiliation with an agency, an extended leave of absence, or owner convenience.
B. When a notice of temporary deactivation is filed with the Director:
1. If the medallion is not expired, the deactivation period shall not exceed 12 consecutive months from the date the temporary deactivation notice is filed with the Director;
2. If the medallion is expired, the deactivation period shall not be more than 12 consecutive months from September 1, 2024 or from the date the medallion expired, whichever is longer; and
3. If the medallion is expired or expires during the temporary deactivation period, the medallion renewal process must be completed before the medallion can be reactivated.
C. The Director may initiate a temporary deactivation when the Director becomes aware that a medallion has not been operating for 60 days or more.
D. For medallions revoked, relinquished, or otherwise held by the Director after January 31, 2015, and before September 1, 2024, the temporary deactivation period shall begin on September 1, 2024. A medallion previously revoked, relinquished, or otherwise held by the Director, must be renewed by September 1, 2025.
E. If a medallion owner fails to reactivate the medallion within 12 months from the effective date of the temporary deactivation, the Director shall issue a notice of retirement to the medallion owner. Within 60 days of the notice of retirement, the medallion owner may reactivate or transfer the medallion. If the medallion is not reactivated or transferred within 60 days of the notice of retirement, the medallion is retired and an order of retirement will be issued by the Director. The medallion owner may appeal the order of retirement in accordance with Section 6.311.450. Failure to appeal means the order of retirement issued by the Director is final. The taxicab or for-hire vehicle medallion plate or decal that has been retired shall be returned to the Director within 15 days of the final order of retirement or, if the order is appealed and affirmed, within 15 days after all appellate proceedings have concluded.
F. Medallions issued via a lottery or request for proposals shall not be transferrable until the obligations under subsection 6.311.200.G have been met.
G. Vehicle insurance is not required if a medallion is temporarily deactivated. The medallion owner must provide proof of vehicle insurance when reactivating the medallion.
(Ord. 126977, § 1, 2023.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT6BURE_SUBTITLE_IVNELICO_CH6.311FRETRAXFREVEDR_6.311.210TEDERETAFREVEMEFetched: 11/1/2026