Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-230 Scope.
Sec. 46-230. - Scope.
The provisions of this division shall apply to chauffeured limousine services and permittees thereof.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014)
CHAUFFEURED LIMOUSINE SERVICE
Houston Code of Ordinances ch. 46, art. IV, div. 3
in effectHouston Code of Ordinances § 46-231 Permit required.
Sec. 46-231. - Permit required.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a chauffeured limousine service or to offer or agree to provide chauffeured limousine service, or to rent or lease motor vehicles, including the service of a driver, for chauffeured limousine service in the City of Houston, unless the person holds a current and valid chauffeured limousine service permit that has been issued under this division.
(b) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the chauffeured limousine is not being operated for the purpose of serving any passenger in exchange for consideration or the trip originated in a jurisdiction outside the city in which the chauffeured limousine is operated in compliance with all applicable laws. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to authorize a chauffeured limousine from another jurisdiction to originate any passenger service trip within the city.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014)
Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-232 Annual permit fee; other fees and taxes to be paid.
Sec. 46-232. - Annual permit fee; other fees and taxes to be paid.
(a) Required. The annual fee for a permit under this division for each limousine is stated for this provision in the city fee schedule shall be paid in advance to the department of administration and regulatory affairs in two installments on or before January 1 and March 1 of each calendar year in amounts prescribed in the city fee schedule. In the event the permit is issued for a period of time less than one year, the fee shall be prorated, payable at the rate stated for this provision in the city fee schedule for each month or fraction thereof remaining in the calendar year, not to exceed the full amount of the annual fee. The reissuance of any certification decal that is lost, mutilated, or otherwise rendered unusable shall be provided only upon reinspection of the limousine.
(b) Additional fees. The fees established in this section shall be payable in addition to any other applicable fees imposed by this Code or other ordinances of the city.
(c) In addition, before a permittee may replace a limousine that is an electric-drive vehicle or a wheelchair accessible vehicle with a vehicle that is not an electric-drive vehicle or a wheelchair accessible vehicle, the permittee shall be required to pay, in full, the difference between the permit fee amount he paid for the electric-drive vehicle or the wheelchair accessible vehicle and the permit fee amount for the replacement vehicle.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2015-997, § 25, 10-14-2015; Ord. No. 2019-669, § 37, 9-4-2019; Ord. No. 2021-804, § 18, 9-15-2021; Ord. No. 2025-1050, § 19, 12-17-2025)
Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-233 Application for permit—Form.
Sec. 46-233. - Application for permit—Form.
(a) An application for a permit shall be submitted on forms to be furnished by the director and the applicant shall furnish the following information with each application, which shall be sworn to before a notary public or conform to minimum state law requirements for unsworn declarations:
(1) The name and form of business under which the service will be operated (If a partnership or corporation, a copy of the partnership agreement or articles of incorporation must be attached.);
(2) The name, mailing address, and street address, if different, of the applicant's agent for service of legal process (which information a permittee shall keep current);
(3) A schedule showing the model, manufacturer model year date, type, make, vehicle identification number, license plate number, and mileage of each motor vehicle, and a statement as to the legal ownership of each vehicle proposed to be placed into operation as a chauffeured limousine;
(4) Documentary evidence from an insurance company indicating a willingness to provide insurance or proof of current coverage of insurance as required in section 46-238 of this Code; and
(5) Any additional information as requested by the director for the administration of this division.
(b) If the applicant is a partnership or association, the partners or associates, or if the applicant is a corporation, each person who is either an officer or a director, shall be required to join in filing the application and all of the provisions and requirements of this chapter applicable to individual applicants shall apply to and be required of each partner, associate, officer, or director. Failure of any of these persons to meet the requirements shall be grounds to deny the application of the partnership, association or corporation.
(c) Any change in associates, partners, officers, directors, or shareholders of the business entity holding a permit shall require a permit amendment and must be reported to the director within ten days after the change. The new associates, partners, officers, directors, or shareholders shall complete and file the forms and supply the information required of applicants for permits. The director shall consider the information supplied regarding the new or proposed associate, partner, officer, or director of the permittee, and if this examination discloses that the new or proposed person possesses the qualifications of a person to whom a permit would be issued under the terms of this article, the director shall change his records to reflect the new associate, partner, officer, or director of the permittee.
(d) Except as provided in section 46-235(b) of this Code, the addition, removal, or substitution of any vehicle with a replacement vehicle pursuant to a permit shall require a permit amendment.
(e) In addition to any other information required to be provided under this section, each applicant for issuance, renewal, or amendment of a permit shall be required to advise the director in writing upon the application form whether the applicant desires privileges to operate the limousine(s) covered by the permit upon the property of city airports.
(f) The director shall cause each permit that is issued, renewed, or amended and any certification decals or other evidence of authorization to operate a chauffeured limousine to indicate whether or not the permittee and vehicles have city airport privileges under this subsection.
(g) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or cause to be operated any chauffeured limousine that does not have city airport privileges under this subsection upon any city owned or operated airport. Additionally, violation of this subsection shall be grounds for revocation or suspension of the offender's permit and license.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014)
Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-234 Permit issuance procedure.
Sec. 46-234. - Permit issuance procedure.
(a) The director shall initially review each application for issuance or amendment of a permit to determine whether the application is complete and all required information has been provided. If not, the director shall return the application to the applicant with a statement of deficiencies.
(b) The director shall review complete applications to determine whether the applicant has met all applicable requirements of this article and of other applicable provisions, including section 1-10 of this Code. If so, the director shall issue the permit without conducting a hearing. If, based upon the review, the director determines that one or more requirements may not have been met, the director shall afford the applicant the right to a hearing before acting on the application.
(c) Prior to the denial of an application, the director shall afford the applicant notice of the proposed grounds for denial and that the applicant may, within 15 business days following the date of deposit of the notice in the mail request a hearing. Where the grounds are based in whole or in part upon section 1-10 of this Code, the hearing shall conform to the requirements of section 1-9 of this Code with respect to those grounds.
(d) In the event that the director approves the permit, issuance shall be subject to compliance with this article, including, but not limited to, payment of any required fees, inspection of vehicles to be utilized, and submission of proof of insurance.
(e) A permit does not entitle the permittee to act as the driver of covered vehicles. A separate license is required for that purpose pursuant to the applicable provisions concerning the issuance of vehicle for hire driver's licenses contained in this chapter.
(f) No chauffeured limousine for which a permit has been issued under this article shall be operated by anyone except the permittee or an employee of the permittee or other person who may be operating the vehicle under a written agreement specifically incorporating therein any rules, regulations, and conditions as may be reasonably required by the director to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The permittee shall be responsible for anyone operating under his permit whether the operator is an employee or other person operating under a written agreement. Any person driving or operating a chauffeured limousine upon the streets or other public property of the city is presumed to be an employee of the permittee or to have entered into a written agreement with the permittee.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014)
Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-235 Permit—Term; renewal; temporary vehicles.
Sec. 46-235. - Permit—Term; renewal; temporary vehicles.
(a) Permits shall be issued for a term of five years. Permittees desiring to have reissuance of their permit shall, at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the permit, file with the director a written application for a renewal of their permit. Except as otherwise expressly stated, renewals shall be subject to the same requirements set forth in this article for issuance of new permits. A permit shall be valid only for the vehicles listed thereon and any vehicles reported under an amendment to the application filed pursuant to section 46-233 of the Code, which vehicles must also pass inspection under section 46-236 of the Code.
(b) In addition to the vehicles regularly operated by a permittee, the permittee may place one or more vehicles into use on a temporary basis from time to time to meet seasonal or unexpected needs in accordance with this subsection. The director shall issue temporary certification decals for a term of 30 consecutive calendar days to commence on the date of issuance at the fee stated for this provision in the city fee schedule per vehicle, per certification decal, upon the permittee's provision to the director of proof of the identity of the vehicle to be used. Proof of identity shall include verification that the vehicle is in compliance with all requirements of this division and proof that it is insured as required in section 46-238 of this Code and has been inspected and approved for use as provided in section 46-236 of this Code within six months preceding the date the temporary certification decal is issued. If the permittee's insurance policy on file with the director pursuant to section 46-238 of this Code also covers the vehicles that will be placed in service on a temporary basis, no additional proof of insurance is required.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2015-997, § 26, 10-14-2015)
Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-236 Inspection fee; maintenance equipment.
Sec. 46-236. - Inspection fee; maintenance equipment.
(a) Each permittee shall cause each limousine operated under his permit to be submitted for inspection by the director from time to time at intervals not exceeding 12 months as more particularly provided in section 46-237 of this Code. The director shall inspect each limousine before the permittee initially places the limousine into service and thereafter before January 1st of each year. The inspection compliance decal shall be affixed by the director to the windshield of the vehicle. It shall be unlawful to drive or to cause to be driven any limousine permitted under this division that does not have a current inspection compliance decal affixed by the director.
Each permittee shall pay to the director an inspection fee stated for this provision in the city fee schedule for the inspection services described in this section for each limousine operated pursuant to this division.
(b) All vehicles shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition at all times and shall always be maintained in good working condition.
(c) All vehicles shall be air-conditioned and equipped with interior and exterior rearview mirrors, windshield washers and two-speed windshield wipers, proper headlights and taillights that shall be in operation from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise when the limousine is in operation. The inspection shall include, but not be limited to, the following items: Vehicle identification number; date of purchase; foot brakes; parking brake, headlights; taillights; brake lights; turn signal lights; license plate lights; horn; two-speed windshield wipers; interior and exterior rear vision mirrors; air conditioner; tires; muffler and tail pipe; condition of the body; condition of the fenders; condition of the paint; condition of the interior; state license plates; speedometer readings; mileage; and steering. Brakes, seat belts, and all other safety, noise and antipollution requirements specified by the United States Government and the state shall be complied with at all times. The brakes shall always be kept in good working condition.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2015-997, § 27, 10-14-2015; Ord. No. 2025-1050, § 20, 12-17-2025)
Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-237 Tests and inspections of limousine vehicles.
Sec. 46-237. - Tests and inspections of limousine vehicles.
The director may at any time, and shall at least once each year, make tests and inspections of all limousine vehicles then in operation to assure that they are in compliance with the terms of section 46-236 of this Code. If upon inspection the director finds a limousine vehicle is not in compliance with any of the requirements therein set out, he shall notify the permittee of the defects observed. The permittee shall immediately correct the defects. Any vehicle that is the subject of the notification shall not be operated on any street of the city until it has been reinspected and determined to be in compliance with the requirements of inspection. The director shall be given access to the vehicles at all reasonable times. Failure to submit a vehicle requested for inspection by the director shall be cause for suspension of the operation of the vehicle until such time the vehicle is submitted for inspection and it is determined that the vehicle is in compliance with the terms of section 46-236 of this Code.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2015-997, § 42, 10-14-2015; Ord. No. 2016-986, § 15, 12-14-2016)
Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-238 Insurance requirements.
Sec. 46-238. - Insurance requirements.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary, no permit shall become effective nor shall chauffeured limousine services be provided until the person to whom the permit is granted has filed with the director the requisite proof of insurance insuring the general public against any loss or damage that may result to any person or property from the operation of chauffeured limousine vehicles covered by his permit.
(b) The insurance required in subsection (a) shall be in a form of commercial automobile liability coverage with limits of not less than $500,000.00 combined single limit per accident issued by either a company listed as an authorized auto liability lines carrier on the Texas Department of Insurance's List of Authorized Insurance Companies or a surplus lines insurer listed on the Texas Department of Insurance's List of Eligible Surplus Lines Insurance Companies. The eligible surplus lines insurance company is required to have a Best's Rating of at least B+ and a Best's Financial Size Category of Class VI or better according to the most current edition of Best's Key Rating Guide, Property-Casualty, United States.
(c) The insurance shall be for the protection of the passengers of limousine vehicles as well as for the general public. The required insurance shall name the city as an additional insured. The policies issued under this section shall contain a provision for a continuing liability thereon up to the full amount thereof, notwithstanding any recovery thereon, and include an endorsement requiring 30 days' written notice of termination or cancellation to the director and an endorsement requiring ten days' written notice of non-payment to the director.
(d) If any insurer desires to be released from any insurance policy filed under this section, he may do so by giving written notice to the director at least 30 days before he desires to be released from liability. The director shall thereupon give written notice to the permittee and demand that such permittee furnish evidence of new insurance obtained before the expiration of the policy.
(e) If any policy is cancelled as herein provided, or expires, and no new policy is filed by the permittee before the cancellation or expiration of the original insurance, the permit shall automatically be suspended, and the permittee shall discontinue the operation of the affected vehicles within the city. If a proper replacement policy is not provided to the director on or before the tenth business day after the date of termination or cancellation of the policy, the license shall automatically terminate.
(f) Proof of coverage shall be accepted only in the authorized form approved by the Texas Department of Insurance for that purpose.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2019-962-1, § 2, 12-4-2019; Ord. No. 2025-1050, § 21, 12-17-2025)
Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-239 License; other driver requirements.
Sec. 46-239. - License; other driver requirements.
(a) A person shall not operate a limousine upon the streets of the city unless he holds a current and valid license.
(b) At all times while in service, whether physically operating a limousine, assisting passengers, or performing other duties attendant to the provision of limousine service, it shall be the duty of the licensee to conspicuously display his license upon his upper chest. The license may be attached to the driver's outer shirt or jacket pocket or lapel, suspended from a necklace or displayed in an equivalent manner on the driver's outer garments. In any prosecution under this subsection, it shall be presumed that the driver was not in possession of a current and valid license if the license card was not conspicuously displayed as aforesaid.
(c) A licensee shall not drive for more than 12 hours in any consecutive 24-hour period and a permittee shall not permit or cause a licensee to drive a chauffeured limousine more than 12 hours in any consecutive 24-hour period.
(d) Each licensee shall, while operating a permittee's limousine, wear business attire (a dress shirt and matching slacks, dress, or skirt or a chauffeur's uniform with a company-issued polo or dress shirt or blouse. Additionally, each licensee shall be authorized to wear other appropriate attire prescribed by the director.
(e) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the person driving a limousine had been engaged by the permittee to perform repairs or servicing of the vehicle, and that the vehicle was not in service at the time of the alleged offense.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2014-914, § 8, 10-8-2014; Ord. No. 2023-856, § 4, 10-18-2023; Ord. No. 2025-1050, § 22, 12-17-2025)
Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-240 Written or electronic vehicle rental agreements.
Sec. 46-240. - Written or electronic vehicle rental agreements.
(a) A written or electronic vehicle rental agreement shall be entered into by the permittee and any person renting or leasing any chauffeured limousine. All vehicle rental agreements shall include, among other things: the name(s) of the permittee and the name of the assigned licensee; the name(s) of the passenger(s); the date and time of hiring; the scheduled pickup address or location; the date and time of release of the vehicle; and the rates applicable to the vehicle. In addition to the foregoing information, all vehicle rental agreements for service originating at city airports shall also include the airline name, flight number, and scheduled date and time of arrival. The permittee shall deliver a copy of the vehicle rental agreement to the renting or leasing party at the time the vehicle is released or, if a monthly statement is submitted, at that time. A completed copy of the bill submitted showing the total fare charged and received shall be retained by permittee for a period of two years from the date of contract. Upon request, the permittee shall make available to the director completed copies of the vehicle rental agreements retained within the two-year period.
(b) A copy of the vehicle rental agreement form shall be filed with the director who shall approve the form before the permittee may operate his vehicles under this article.
(c) The licensee shall maintain a vehicle rental agreement at all times while operating and providing services and shall further upon request, present the vehicle rental agreement to the director or other person authorized to enforce this chapter.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2016-736, § 24, 10-5-2016)
Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-241 Operation from permittee's usual place of business, etc.
Sec. 46-241. - Operation from permittee's usual place of business, etc.
(a) A permittee shall operate only from his usual place of business; provided, however, if any permittee has a written agreement authorizing the permittee to operate from a hotel or motel, that place shall be considered a usual place of business when a copy of the agreement is filed with the director.
(b) The permittee shall not operate out of a house or store or maintain any of his vehicles at any place of public accommodation unless the limousine is at that time hired. It shall be the duty of each licensee to present a copy of the rental agreement required under section 46-240 of this Code to any administration and regulatory affairs department employee or police officer upon request to evidence compliance with this section. If the licensee fails to produce a rental agreement evidencing compliance it shall be presumed in any prosecution under this subsection that the licensee's presence at the public place of accommodation was unlawful.
(c) The licensee shall not approach potential customers in any public place for the purpose of soliciting their business, and a chauffeured limousine shall only display the permittee's company name on the exterior of the vehicle; provided however, a passenger van may display the company name, company logo, and company telephone number on the outside of the van.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2022-387, § 6, 5-18-2022; Ord. No. 2025-1050, § 23, 12-17-2025)
Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-242 Operation upon city airport property.
Sec. 46-242. - Operation upon city airport property.
No licensee shall operate a limousine upon the property of any city airport except for the purpose of discharging passengers whose trips originated elsewhere or for the purpose of rendering service to deplaning passengers who wish to be transported from the airports. No licensee shall park or stand his limousine upon airport property except for the purpose of actually loading or unloading passengers in accordance with a rental agreement executed under section 46-240 of this Code, nor shall any licensee enter or remain upon airport property unless his limousine has permanently affixed on the windshield an automatic vehicle identification tag in accordance with policies and procedures promulgated by the Director of the Houston Airport System. It shall be the duty of each licensee to present a copy of the rental agreement instrument required under section 46-240 of this Code to any Houston Airport System employee, administration and regulatory affairs department employee, or peace officer upon request to evidence compliance with this section. If the licensee fails to produce the rental agreement evidencing compliance, it shall be presumed in any prosecution under this subsection that the licensee's presence upon the airport property was unlawful.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2019-669, § 38, 9-4-2019)
Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-243 Schedule of fares.
Sec. 46-243. - Schedule of fares.
Permittees shall file with the director a schedule of fares or rates to be charged. Permittees shall advise the director of any change in its schedule of fares or rates within five calendar days of the change on a form prescribed by the director.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014)
Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-244 Reserved.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-245 Transfer of permit.
Sec. 46-245. - Transfer of permit.
A permit may not be transferred.
(Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH46VEHI_ARTIVSICHCHLISE_DIV3CHLISEFetched: 10/26/2026