BUSINESS LICENSE

Fort Worth City Code ch. 34, art. III, div. 2

in effect

Fort Worth City Code § 34-56 REQUIRED.

§ 34-56 REQUIRED. No person shall engage in the business of furnishing a private motor vehicle escort for hire within the city without first having obtained a license certificate therefor; provided, that persons engaged in such business who are employed by a duly licensed private motor vehicle escort agency shall not be required to be individually licensed. (1964 Code, § 34-51)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-57 APPLICATION.

§ 34-57 APPLICATION. Any person intending to conduct a private motor vehicle escort agency or business or furnish a private motor vehicle escort in the city shall file with the chief of police a written application duly signed and verified as follows. (a) If the applicant is a person, the application shall be signed and verified by such person, and if the applicant is a partnership, the application shall be signed by each partner, and if the applicant is a corporation, the application shall be signed by the chief executive officer of such corporation. (b) The application shall state the full name, age and residence of the licensee, and shall specify the trade name and the address or location from which the business or agency will operate and for which the license certificate is desired, and such further facts as may be required by the chief of police to show the good character, competency and integrity of each person so signing the application. (1964 Code, § 34-52)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-58 INVESTIGATION OF APPLICATION; RECOMMENDATION TO CITY MANAGER.

§ 34-58 INVESTIGATION OF APPLICATION; RECOMMENDATION TO CITY MANAGER. Upon filing an application for a license certificate to engage in the business of conducting a private motor vehicle escort agency or furnishing private motor vehicle escorts, the chief of police shall make or cause to be made such investigation as he or she may deem necessary to determine the fitness of the applicant for a license. Then the chief of police shall within ten days forward the application with his or her recommendations to the city manager. (1964 Code, § 34-53)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-59 FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED.

§ 34-59 FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED. In approving or disapproving any license certificate to engage in the business of conducting private motor vehicle escorts, the city manager shall consider the following factors: (a) Whether the applicant has been convicted of a felony, or on renewal of license, for the violation of any of the provisions of this article, during the year next preceding the filing of this application; (b) Whether the applicant is of good moral character and has a reputation for being a peaceable law-abiding citizen; and (c) Such other lawful matters considered pertinent and proper in arriving at a fair and lawful consideration with respect to such application for a license. (1964 Code, § 34-54)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-60 INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION POLICY.

§ 34-60 INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION POLICY. (a) Before a license certificate under this division shall be issued to any owner or operator of any private motor vehicle escort agency as defined in this article, or before the renewal of such license certificate shall be granted, the holder of such license certificate shall be required to file with the city secretary and thereafter keep in full force and effect a policy of public liability and property damage insurance, to be executed by an insurance company duly and legally authorized to do business in the state and performable in the county, and to be approved by the city manager, insuring the general public and the city against any loss or damage that may result to any person or property from the operation of such motor vehicle escort service. (b) In addition, before any such license certificate is issued the holder of such license shall agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend the city against any losses or claims arising out of the operation of such motor vehicle escort service. (1964 Code, § 34-55) (Ord. 8286, § 1, passed 3-10-1981)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-61 TERMS OF INSURANCE POLICY.

§ 34-61 TERMS OF INSURANCE POLICY. The liability and property insurance policy required by the preceding section shall be noncancelable and shall insure against any damage or loss resulting from the operation of such escort agency including damage or loss caused by the acts or omissions of each escort driver used by such motor vehicle escort agency licensed under this division, and shall have limits of not less than $300,000 for injuries resulting from any one accident, and $50,000 for damage to property resulting from any one accident. Such insurance shall be for the protection of passengers riding in an escorted funeral procession, the general public, the city and the servants, agents and employees of the motor vehicle escort agency. Such policy of insurance shall be for a period of at least one year and the date of such policy shall coincide with the date of the license issued under this division and shall contain a provision for a continuing liability thereon up to the full amount thereof, notwithstanding any recovery thereon. (1964 Code, § 34-56) (Ord. 8286, § 2, passed 3-10-1981)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-62 WHEN ADDITIONAL INSURANCE REQUIRED; EFFECT OF FAILURE TO OBTAIN.

§ 34-62 WHEN ADDITIONAL INSURANCE REQUIRED; EFFECT OF FAILURE TO OBTAIN. If the city manager shall determine, after a hearing duly had, and after ten days’ notice is given to a licensee under this division that any standard policy of insurance so filed by such licensee has become impaired so as to afford less protection to the public than when originally filed, he or she shall require a new or an additional policy so as to bring the protection of such insurance to its original amount, and the licensee shall, within ten days after receiving written notice of such requirement, provide the required new or additional policy, failing which the license of the licensee shall automatically terminate. (1964 Code, § 34-57)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-63 ISSUANCE; PAYMENT OF FEE.

§ 34-63 ISSUANCE; PAYMENT OF FEE. The city manager shall have authority to grant a license certificate to engage in the business of conducting private motor vehicle escorts without further investigation or to cause further investigation to be made before granting such license or disapproving the application. Upon the granting of such license by the city manager, it shall be the duty of the applicant to present the approved application to the assessor-collector of taxes and upon the payment of the proper license fee the assessor-collector of taxes shall accordingly issue the proper license certificate on a form to be prescribed by the assessor-collector of taxes. (1964 Code, § 34-58)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-64 FEE; TRANSFER.

§ 34-64 FEE; TRANSFER. The fee for any license granted under this division to a private motor vehicle escort agency shall be the sum of $60 per annum, which sum shall be paid before such license certificate is issued. Such license certificate shall not be transferable from the person to whom it is issued to another person. (1964 Code, § 34-59) (Ord. 8809, § 2, passed 5-10-1983)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-65 TERM; ISSUANCE NOT TO CREATE VESTED RIGHTS.

§ 34-65 TERM; ISSUANCE NOT TO CREATE VESTED RIGHTS. No license granted under the terms of this division shall extend for a period in excess of one year. No such license shall be deemed to grant a vested or property right, but such license shall remain subject to the terms and provisions of this division and subject to such future regulations as shall be promulgated by the city council by ordinance and any investment made by a licensee shall be made subject to this division. (1964 Code, § 34-60)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-66 AGE RESTRICTION ON ISSUANCE.

§ 34-66 AGE RESTRICTION ON ISSUANCE. No license certificate to engage in the business of furnishing private motor vehicle escorts shall be issued to any person under 18 years of age, nor shall any person under 18 years of age be employed as an escort guide by any person licensed to engage in the business of furnishing motor vehicle escort service for hire. (1964 Code, § 34-61)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-67 APPEAL FROM DENIAL.

§ 34-67 APPEAL FROM DENIAL. If the city manager shall refuse to grant a license to any applicant under this division, the action of the city manager shall be final unless the applicant shall, within ten days after the refusal to grant such license, file a written appeal with the city secretary, addressed to the city council, requesting a hearing by the council upon the question as to whether or not his or her application shall be granted. If such appeal is filed, the city manager shall provide the council with a record of all proceedings theretofore had with reference to the application in question, including the written application, together with the action of the city manager and the reasons for such action. The city council shall, within 30 days, grant a hearing thereon to determine the correctness of the action of the city manager, at which hearing the council may make such investigation as it may see fit, whether or not all the pertinent facts appear in the application. It shall be discretionary with the city council as to whether or not a license shall be granted and such action as the council may take thereof shall be final and conclusive. (1964 Code, § 34-62)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-68 REVOCATION; APPEAL.

§ 34-68 REVOCATION; APPEAL. If a private motor vehicle escort agency licensed under the provisions of this division is not being conducted in accordance with the laws of the state or this article, or is being conducted in violation of the laws of the state or this article or that an investigation reveals that the licensee falsified his or her application, the city manager may at any time give notice in writing to the operator, licensee, manager or other person in control of the operation and maintenance of such private motor vehicle escort agency that the permit or license issued for the operation and maintenance of such private motor vehicle escort agency has been revoked and cancelled. The notice of revocation and cancellation shall become a final revocation and cancellation after the expiration of ten days from the date of the service of same upon the operator, licensee, manager or other person in charge, unless on or before the expiration of such ten days the licensee, operator, manager or other person in charge shall file with the city secretary a written appeal addressed to the city council in which it is requested that the council grant him or her a hearing upon the question whether or not the permit or license shall be cancelled and revoked. Such appeal, if made and filed as prescribed in this section, shall operate a stay or postponement of the revocation and cancellation of the permit issued, until such time as the city council shall grant a hearing and make a final adjudication. Such hearing shall be held within the 30 days after the date of the filing of such appeal, and such action and judgment of the council, after hearing all the evidence and facts, shall be final and conclusive as to all parties. (1964 Code, § 34-63)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-69 POSTING AT BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT; SURRENDER AFTER REVOCATION.

§ 34-69 POSTING AT BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT; SURRENDER AFTER REVOCATION. Immediately upon the receipt of the license certificate issued by the city under this division, the licensee named therein shall cause such license certificate to be posted and at all times displayed in a conspicuous place in the office or location given as the business address in the application. Such license certificate shall at all reasonable times be subject to inspection by the chief of police or an authorized representative of the police department. No person holding such license certificate shall post such certificate or permit such certificate to be posted upon premises other than those described therein or to which it has been transferred pursuant to the provisions of this division or knowingly alter, deface or destroy such license certificate. Every license certificate shall be surrendered to the chief of police within 72 hours after its terms shall have expired or after notice in writing to the holder that such license has been revoked. Failure to comply with any provisions of this section shall be deemed sufficient cause for the revocation of the license. (1964 Code, § 34-64)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-70 FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF POLICE DEPARTMENT.

§ 34-70 FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF POLICE DEPARTMENT. With regard to all applicants for a license to conduct a private motor vehicle escort agency or furnish private motor vehicle escorts, the police department shall have the following functions, powers and duties: (a) To investigate qualifications for fitness of all applicants; and (b) To investigate and aid in the prosecution of all violations of this article and cooperate in the prosecution of offenders before any court having jurisdiction to hear same; (c) To inspect and approve or disapprove the equipment and uniforms worn by funeral escort officers; (d) To inspect and approve or disapprove motor vehicle equipment used in making escorts. (1964 Code, § 34-66)

Fort Worth City Code § 34-71 through 34-85 RESERVED.

Source: City of Fort Worth, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Zoning Ordinance (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ftworth/latest/ftworth_tx/0-0-0-30385Fetched: 10/26/2026