Medallions—Allowable number
Seattle Mun. Code § 6.311.200
in effect6.311.200 - Medallions—Allowable number
A. Unless adjusted by the Director by rule, the maximum number of taxicab medallions is 1,300. Wheelchair accessible taxicab medallions do not count towards the maximum number.
B. On April 1, 2026, all for-hire vehicle medallions shall become taxicab medallions. The medallion system for for-hire vehicles shall no longer be in effect after March 31, 2026.
C. The Director may issue additional taxicab medallions only as specified by this Section 6.311.200.
D. The Director may adjust by rule the maximum number of taxicab medallions and shall periodically determine the need for additional taxicab service. Factors to be considered to adjust the maximum number of taxicab medallions or to issue additional taxicab medallions include:
1. Coordination with King County to promote a regional licensing and regulatory framework for for-hire transportation services;
2. Growth in population, tourists, and other visitors to the area;
3. The quality of existing taxicab service as indicated by passenger satisfaction, including wheelchair accessible vehicle service, if applicable;
4. A comparison of actual average taxicab response times to optimum average taxicab response times established by the Director;
5. Availability and quality of for-hire transportation services in underserved communities, including areas of lower population density;
6. Available data of medallion sales on the private market;
7. Analysis of drivers' ability to earn a living wage, including the impact of adjusting the number of medallions on driver income; and
8. Other indications of market demand.
E. 1.
If the Director determines that issuance of additional taxicab medallions is warranted, such medallions shall be issued as follows:
a. A competitive request for proposals and award process under which medallions will be issued to medallion applicants whose proposals demonstrate that they are most able to meet the needs of the public in providing taxicab service by meeting qualifications prepared by the Director that are not in conflict with the general provisions of this Chapter 6.311;
b. A lottery of qualified medallion applicants; or
c. A combination of both procedures as prescribed by the Director by rule.
2. Regardless of the method used, the Director shall consider a medallion applicant's driving record, driving experience, current or previous medallion ownership, and any additional qualifications required by the Director.
3. If issuing a wheelchair accessible taxicab medallion, the Director may additionally consider the medallion applicant's qualifying experience transporting individuals with disabilities who require any type of mobility device, including a manual or motorized wheelchair, and any additional qualifications required by the Director.
F. Any additional taxicab medallion shall only be issued to a medallion applicant who is an individual. No corporation, limited liability company, or partnership shall obtain any medallion held by an individual until the expiration of three years following the original date of issuance to that individual; however, additional taxicab medallions may be issued to and be held by the following business entities:
1. Corporations held by a single shareholder, except that the taxicab must be personally operated by the single shareholder for a period of three years from the date of issuance of the medallion and the ownership of the shares of the corporation cannot be changed within the three-year period. Any change of ownership of shares of the corporation shall result in revocation of the medallion; or
2. Limited liability companies comprised of a single member, except that the taxicab must be personally operated by the single member for a period of three years from the date of issuance of the medallion and no change of membership may take place within the three-year period. Any change of membership of the limited liability company shall result in revocation of the medallion.
G. For three years following the date of issuance of an additional taxicab medallion or an additional wheelchair accessible taxicab medallion in accordance with subsections 6.311.200.E and 6.311.200.J, the medallion owner must personally drive the taxicab for at least 30 hours per week for a minimum of 40 weeks per year. If the medallion owner fails to fulfill this minimum operating requirement in any one-year period within the three-year period following the date of issuance, the medallion shall be revoked and shall not be eligible for transfer by its original owner. The medallion shall be transferable upon the completion of the three-year operating requirement.
H. A medallion plate, medallion decal, or other indicia issued to a medallion owner shall remain the property of the Director.
I. A medallion owner may seek Director approval to permanently convert a medallion to a wheelchair accessible taxicab medallion. Such a conversion shall be subject to conditions prescribed by the Director by rule. Conversion of a taxicab medallion to a wheelchair accessible taxicab medallion is not considered the issuance of an additional medallion. A medallion that has been operated for three or more years that is permanently converted to a wheelchair accessible taxicab medallion shall be transferrable and not subject to a new three-year operating requirement.
J. As an alternative to the process outlined in subsection 6.311.200.E, the Director may issue City of Seattle medallion reciprocity endorsements to medallion applicants selected by King County to be issued a King County taxicab medallion or a King County wheelchair accessible taxicab medallion, as applicable.
(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_6.311.200MELLNUFetched: 11/1/2026