Responsibilities of franchisees, permit holders, and drivers.
Riverside Municipal Code § 5.40.190
in effect5.40.190 - Responsibilities of franchisees, permit holders, and drivers.
A. Each franchisee and permit holder shall be familiar with the requirements imposed by this chapter.
B. Each driver shall be familiar with the mapping of City streets and the locations of major buildings and attractions.
C. Each vehicle for hire and animal-drawn vehicle driver shall remove from the persons' compartment or secure in a locked cabinet all alcoholic beverages which they may ordinarily legally provide if any of the persons are under 21 years of age unless such person is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. It shall be the responsibility of the owner and/or driver to verify the age of the persons and the relationship of adults to the minors.
D. Each vehicle for hire permit holder, animal-drawn vehicle permit holder, and taxicab franchisee shall report all accidents involving property damage of $500.00 or more and all accidents involving injury to an individual to the Chief Financial Officer on the next business day following the accident.
E. Each vehicle for hire permit holder, animal-drawn vehicle permit holder, and taxicab franchisee shall maintain and keep current at the place of business a daily log showing all trips made by every driver showing time(s), place(s) of origin, and destination of trips, and the specific carriage(s) and horse(s) operated. Such logs shall be made available to the Chief Financial Officer for inspection upon reasonable notice.
F. Each animal-drawn vehicle permit holder shall ensure that the operation of the animal-drawn vehicle does not exceed the speed of a slow trot.
G. Each animal-drawn vehicle driver shall be the first person into the vehicle and the last person to exit the vehicle.
H. No driver of an animal-drawn vehicle shall leave the animal and vehicle unattended.
I. Each animal-drawn vehicle permit holder and driver shall ensure all tack remains in good and safe condition, the animal is driven in a safe manner, and all requirements, including water and rest periods for the animal, are observed.
J. No animal-drawn vehicle shall be operated on any street with a speed limit in excess of 25 miles per hour.
K. A special permit will be required for animal-drawn vehicle permit holders to operate in conjunction with a special event. Such special permit shall include the specific times of operation, routes, the locations of the stands and restrictions on the number of carriages/operators. A special event is an event outside of the ordinary course of neighborhood functions involving 25 or more persons that are gathered for a common purpose under the direction and control of a person or organization. This shall include, but is not limited to, activities such as concerts, circuses or carnivals, fairs, farmer's markets, community events, fundraisers, private parties, promotional events, block parties, air or car shows, parades/processions, athletic/sporting events, foot or bicycle races, and festivals that impact City streets, sidewalks, parking lots, public property, airways, public buildings, parks, and/or traffic. Special events shall include activities on private property that have the potential to impact the public-right-of-way. Any permit holder desiring to obtain a special permit to operate in conjunction with a special event shall apply utilizing the City's application form available in the Development Department.
L. The City may utilize an administrative process to allocate and fairly limit the number of animal-drawn vehicle businesses and locations of operation.
M. Animal-drawn vehicles may only cross streets with posted speed limits in excess of 25 miles per hour at intersections controlled by traffic signals or all way stop control.
N. Each animal-drawn vehicle permit holder and driver shall ensure that such vehicle is not operated on the Pedestrian Mall on Main Street between 6th Street and 10th Street or within City parks, unless City authorization is specifically provided in writing.
O. The City may temporarily or permanently prohibit the operation or turning maneuvers of animal-drawn vehicles on specific streets within the City by providing written notice to the permit holder. It shall be the duty of each permit holder and driver to observe these specific rules.
P. Each driver shall maintain two-way communication with a base station or a fully functioning cellular phone or other acceptable means of communication whenever the vehicle is in use.
Q. Each permit holder shall maintain a separate business license for each type of business conducted as required by Chapter 5.40 of this Code.
R. An animal-drawn vehicle permit holder may request in writing to the Traffic Engineer for an exemption in regards to the restrictions identified in paragraphs (J), (M), or (N) when strict adherence to these regulations would not serve the public interest and no other viable options are available for safety or other reasons. Exemptions are only to be granted to provide limited relief for short distances or periods in highly unusual circumstances. The applicant for an exemption must demonstrate special circumstances or conditions to a proposed route of an animal-drawn vehicle which the exemption is sought.
(Ord. 7014 § 1, 2008)
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT5BU_CH5.40VEHITAANAWVE_5.40.190REFRPEHODRFetched: 11/1/2026