Purpose
Seattle Mun. Code § 6.311.010
in effect6.311.010 - Purpose
A. This Chapter 6.311 is an exercise of The City of Seattle's power to regulate the for-hire transportation industry. That exercise includes the power to license and regulate taxicabs, for-hire vehicles, taxicab and for-hire vehicle drivers, transitional regional dispatch agencies, and regional dispatch agencies. Some of its regulatory purposes are to increase the safety, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and economic viability and stability of privately operated for-hire vehicle and taxicab services within Seattle.
B. The obligation of complying with this Chapter 6.311 belongs to the licensee or applicant for a license. Neither a provision of, nor a term used in, this Chapter 6.311 is intended to impose any duty whatsoever upon the City or any of its officers or employees, for whom the implementation or enforcement of this Chapter 6.311 shall be discretionary and not mandatory.
C. This Chapter 6.311 is not intended to be and shall not be construed to create or form the basis for any liability on the part of the City or its officers, employees, or agents, for any injury or damage resulting from the failure of a licensee or applicant for license to comply with this Chapter 6.311, or by reason or in consequence of any act or omission in connection with the implementation or enforcement of this Chapter 6.311 on the part of the City by its officers, employees, or agents.
D. This Chapter 6.311 is intended to reduce regulatory complexity, promote equity and innovation, improve transportation and integration of the for-hire transportation industry, and ensure consumer protection and public safety. To fulfill these purposes, The City of Seattle:
1. Establishes reciprocal licensing privileges for King County medallion owners to operate within Seattle. This reciprocity authorizes medallion owners to operate in both Seattle and King County;
2. Establishes regional operating privileges for taxicab and for-hire vehicle drivers licensed by King County to operate within Seattle. This license allows the driver to operate in both Seattle and King County;
3. Consolidates the regulatory classifications of taxicabs and for-hire vehicles into a single taxicab standard. When a for-hire vehicle transitions to a taxicab, any reciprocal operating privilege will follow the vehicle;
4. Consolidates the regulatory classifications of taxicab associations and for-hire vehicle companies into a single, regional dispatch agency license that is subject to a common set of operating rules and standards;
5. Establishes regional licensing privileges for taxicab associations and for-hire vehicle companies licensed by King County to operate in Seattle. When a taxicab association or for-hire vehicle company transitions to a regional dispatch agency, the regional license will follow; and
6. Establishes a requirement for each regional dispatch agency to adopt a smart taximeter system.
(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_6.311.010PUFetched: 11/1/2026