Emerging for-hire transportation models
Seattle Mun. Code § 6.311.390
in effect6.311.390 - Emerging for-hire transportation models
A. The Director may prescribe by rule the implementation of a discrete licensing program for emerging for-hire transportation models that do not fit within the parameters of this Chapter 6.311 or Chapter 6.310.
B. The Director shall determine whether a proposed business activity is an emerging for-hire transportation model that falls outside the parameters of any existing license under this Chapter 6.311 or Chapter 6.310, and whether the proposed business activity presents potential risks to the public health, safety, and welfare such that, for the protection of the public, the activity must be regulated and licensed.
C. The Director may grant the applicant an emerging for-hire transportation license to operate in the proposed business activity on a pilot basis.
D. The emerging for-hire transportation license shall be renewed annually for a maximum of two years, after which the license shall expire. The emerging for-hire transportation license shall be a personal privilege and not property. The emerging for-hire transportation license shall not be transferrable to another location, person, or business entity.
E. The Director may attach conditions to the emerging for-hire transportation license as are reasonably required to protect the public health, safety, labor harmony, and welfare from risks including, but not limited to: adverse impact on public health; public safety; increased demand on government services; increased environmental impacts; or increased traffic or congestion in the public way. The Director may attach any such conditions when the emerging for-hire transportation license is issued, or the Director may attach, remove, or modify conditions at any time during the term of the license, upon reasonable notice to the licensee.
F. The Director may determine at any time during the term of the emerging for-hire transportation license that the licensed business activity as conducted presents an unreasonable risk to public health and safety that cannot be mitigated, and may revoke the license, with or without prior notice. If a license is revoked, the licensee shall be given the opportunity to appear before the Director for an informal hearing to introduce any evidence to appeal the revocation before the revocation is effective or no later than ten days after the revocation is effective. The Director shall render a decision affirming or reversing the revocation within three business days after conclusion of the hearing. The decision of the Director is final.
G. If the Director determines that an emerging for-hire transportation model that has been issued an emerging for-hire transportation license under a pilot program, should be regulated by ordinance, the Director shall convey the determination to the City Council prior to the expiration of the license. The license shall not be extended beyond two years unless an ordinance regulating the emerging for-hire transportation model is effective and the emerging for-hire transportation model has obtained the necessary licenses required under that ordinance.
(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_6.311.390EMFRETRMOFetched: 11/1/2026