GENERALLY

Houston Code of Ordinances ch. 46, art. II, div. 1

in effect

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-16 Definitions.

Sec. 46-16. - Definitions. The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings assigned to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Daytime trip means a taxicab trip originating between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. License means a taxicab driver's license issued pursuant to division 2 of article I of this chapter. Licensee means any person in physical control of a taxicab who is the holder of a current and valid license. Nighttime trip means a taxicab trip originating between the hours of 8:01 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. of the following day. Permit means a current and valid permit issued by the director under this article for the operation of a taxicab. Permittee means the person to whom a permit has been duly issued by the director. Any permittee who operates two or more taxicab companies under separate assumed names or different subsidiary firms or by any other means shall nevertheless be regarded as one and the same permittee for permit applications, disciplinary actions, and all other purposes relating to the administration of this article. Stool light means an instrument or an accessory which is attached to a vehicle and indicates to the public that a vehicle is a taxicab. Street means any public street, road, boulevard, alley, lane, highway, sidewalk, park roadway, railroad station, ship landing, ferry landing roadway, viaduct or other place under control of the city or other public authority and established by it for the use of vehicles not otherwise controlled by law or ordinance. It also means any vehicular road, driveway, or area outside of and adjacent to, or in any railroad station, ferry landing, or bus station owned by the city or other public authority that is used regularly by taxicabs for pickup and discharge of passengers, which places shall hereafter remain open to and be used by all duly permitted taxicabs without charge, except as authorized by city council, and without discrimination as to the identity of the permittee. The properties constituting the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), the George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston (IAH), and the Ellington Airport (EFD) are not designated as streets under this definition. Taxicab means every automobile or motor-propelled vehicle, whether the vehicle is identified or not as a taxicab as set forth herein, used for the transportation of passengers for hire over the public streets of the city, whether or not the operation extends beyond the city limits. Provided, the term taxicab shall not apply to limousines, school vehicles, emergency vehicles, jitneys, sightseeing or charter vehicles, or low-speed shuttles that operate under a permit issued by the city or any other governmental regulatory authority, and, provided further, the term shall not apply to limousines that are chartered, hired or provided in connection with funeral services or any vehicles operating under a contract with the city. Taxicab cost index (TCI) means a weighted combination of selected consumer price indexes and employment statistics as published by the United States Department of Labor used to measure the change in the costs of operating a taxicab. Taximeter means a mechanical and/or electrical instrument that records miles or distances traveled or time consumed, or both, during the period of engagement of taxicab service and is so constructed as to visibly record the cumulative charges to the person engaging the service. Virtual taximeter means a device that utilizes software designed to record the miles or distance traveled or time consumed, or both, during the period of engagement of taxicab service and is so constructed and mounted as to visibly record and display the cumulative charges to the person engaging the service. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2016-736, §§ 10, 11, 10-5-2016; Ord. No. 2019-669, § 12, 9-4-2019)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-17 Authorized operators.

Sec. 46-17. - Authorized operators. No taxicab 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 as an employee or contractor. Any person driving or operating a taxicab upon the streets or other public property of the city is presumed to be an employee of the taxicab's permittee or to have entered into a written agreement with the taxicab's permittee. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-18 General prerequisites to putting vehicle into service.

Sec. 46-18. - General prerequisites to putting vehicle into service. (a) Before any permittee may put a taxicab into service or replace a taxicab, he shall submit, for the director's approval, the vehicle, the certificate of title showing the current true ownership of the vehicle, his public liability insurance policy, insurance endorsement or evidence of self-insurance and, in the case of a leased vehicle, the written lease contract. In addition, before a permittee may replace a taxicab 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. (b) The director shall not authorize a vehicle to initially be placed into service unless it is equipped with an air conditioning system that was factory-installed by the vehicle manufacturer. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2016-736, § 12, 10-5-2016; Ord. No. 2016-986, § 10, 12-14-2016; Ord. No. 2019-669, § 13, 9-4-2019; Ord. No. 2021-804, § 3, 9-15-2021)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-19 Accessibility training.

Sec. 46-19. - Accessibility training. Each permittee who first receives a permit and each licensee who receives a license after September 4, 2019, shall attend an accessibility training course designated by regulation of the director. (Ord. No. 2019-669, § 14, 9-4-2019)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-20 Age and mechanical condition of taxicabs.

Sec. 46-20. - Age and mechanical condition of taxicabs. A licensee or permittee shall not drive or cause to be driven upon the streets of the city any taxicab vehicle that is more than 15 years old. For purposes of this requirement, a taxicab will be considered to be 15 years old on March 31st of the 15th year following the manufacturer's model year of the vehicle, regardless of the purchase date or the date it was originally placed into service. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2015-997, § 41, 10-14-2015; Ord. No. 2016-736, § 13, 10-5-2016; Ord. No. 2016-986, § 11, 12-14-2016; Ord. No. 2021-804, § 4, 9-15-2021)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-21 Identification of vehicles generally.

Sec. 46-21. - Identification of vehicles generally. (a) A permittee or licensee shall not drive or cause or suffer to be driven or operate or cause to be operated a taxicab in the city unless the taxicab has signs on each side of the taxicab stating the telephone number and the name or the assumed name under which the owner operates or the name of the partnership, copartnership, association, society or corporation under which the owner operates the taxicab, as is on file with the director. The name and numbers of the taxicab shall be placed in a location and in a size as provided by regulation of the director. (b) A permittee shall not operate or cause or suffer or allow to be operated a taxicab in the city unless and until a permit number has been assigned by the director at the time the permit is issued under this article. The number shall remain in full force and effect for each permit so long as the permit remains valid. The number shall be displayed on the taxicab in four separate and plainly visible locations and in a size as provided by regulation of the director. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2014-914, § 5, 10-8-2014; Ord. No. 2015-997, § 8, 10-14-2015; Ord. No. 2019-669, § 15, 9-4-2019)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-22 Vehicle color scheme.

Sec. 46-22. - Vehicle color scheme. (a) A permittee or licensee shall not drive or cause to be driven any taxicab in the city until the permittee has filed with the director the color scheme that he proposes to use under his ownership or dispatch service. (b) The color scheme shall be of contrasting colors that are visible from a distance of 50 feet. (c) Upon vehicle inspection, if the director determines the color scheme displayed on the vehicle does not contrast, the director may require the permittee or licensee to change the color scheme. (d) Replacement vehicles must be operated in compliance with this subsection. The director shall determine whether the colors submitted by the permittee comply with the requirements articulated within this section. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2016-736, § 14, 10-5-2016; Ord. No. 2016-986, § 12, 12-14-2016; Ord. No. 2019-669, § 16, 9-4-2019; Ord. No. 2021-804, § 5, 9-15-2021)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-23 Certification decals and taxicab permits.

Sec. 46-23. - Certification decals and taxicab permits. At the time a permit is issued or renewed under this article, the director shall issue one certification decal to the permittee for the taxicab covered by the permit. The certification decal and permit shall be attached to the taxicab for which it is issued, at the place on the taxicab designated by the director and shall be affixed by the director or designee. It shall further be unlawful for any person to drive a taxicab without the certification decal and permit being so attached. The reissuance of any certification decal that is lost, mutilated or otherwise rendered unusable shall be provided only upon reinspection of the taxicab. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2015-997, § 9, 10-14-2015; Ord. No. 2019-669, § 17, 9-4-2019)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-24 Stool light.

Sec. 46-24. - Stool light. No permittee or licensee shall operate or cause to be operated any taxicab within the city unless it is equipped with a stool light that is illuminated when the taxicab is vacant and available for hire or illuminated at all times. The stool light may be magnetic or permanently affixed to: (1) The top of the vehicle; or (2) The front and rear windshields; or (3) The front dashboard and rear windshield. If the stool light is connected to taximeter, the stool light shall illuminate a 'vacant' or 'taxi' sign. If the stool light is not connected to the taximeter then it must illuminate a 'taxi' sign. Permittees and licensees shall be authorized to display and illuminate either the taxicab permittee name or permit number on the stool light when the taximeter is not recording. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2016-736, § 15, 10-5-2016; Ord. No. 2021-804, § 6, 9-15-2021)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-25 Passenger's right of selection.

Sec. 46-25. - Passenger's right of selection. Every person shall be allowed to select a taxicab of his choice at any place in the city. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-26 Taxicabs at George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston.

Sec. 46-26. - Taxicabs at George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston. (a) The provisions of this section shall apply to all taxicab service at any place upon the grounds of George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston (IAH). (b) The Director of the Houston Airport System shall establish one or more locations at or near the various terminal buildings at IAH as taxicab arrival and departure loading zones for the loading and discharge of passengers and baggage by taxicabs. It shall be unlawful for any licensee to load or discharge passengers or baggage at any location within the airline terminal areas of IAH other than in a zone so established. (c) The Director of the Houston Airport System shall establish taxicab standing lines to service the departure loading zones designated under subsection (b) above. It shall be unlawful for any licensee to cause his vehicle to stand upon any area of IAH other than in a designated standing line. It is a defense to prosecution under this subsection that the operator has lawfully stopped his vehicle in order to comply with a traffic control device or that the operator is actually and lawfully engaged in the loading or unloading of passengers or baggage. (d) Except where the passenger may request the service of a particular taxicab, departing passengers at IAH terminals will be assigned to taxicabs waiting in the standing lines by starters who have been designated by the Director of the Houston Airport System to operate the various departure zones and standing lines. Taxicabs will be assigned from the standing lines on a first-in-line-first-to-depart basis, provided that the Director of the Houston Airport System shall administratively provide by rule for the priority reassignment of any taxicab operating from a standing line that receives a short trip. For purposes of this provision, short trip means a trip within an area immediately adjacent to IAH as defined on a map promulgated for that purpose by the Director of the Houston Airport System. (e) A licensee carrying a passenger or passengers from IAH shall pay to the city the airport use fee established from time to time by division 3 of article II of chapter 9 of this Code. The licensee shall deposit the fee in the manner prescribed by the Director of the Houston Airport System, and the fee may be added by the licensee to metered fares and flat rate fares for trips originating from IAH. Where passengers are being carried to two or more destinations, the airport use fee shall be prorated among them on a per destination basis. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2019-669, § 18, 9-4-2019)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-27 Operation at William P. Hobby Airport.

Sec. 46-27. - Operation at William P. Hobby Airport. (a) The Director of the Houston Airport System is hereby authorized to designate one or more locations on the airport adjacent to the airline terminal building at the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) as standing and loading zones for the loading and discharge of passengers and baggage by taxicabs. It shall be unlawful for a licensee to load or discharge passengers or baggage at any other location within the airline terminal building area of the airport. (b) A licensee carrying a passenger or passengers from the airline terminal building at the HOU shall pay to the city the airport use fee established from time to time by division 3 of article II of chapter 9 of this Code. The licensee shall deposit the fee in the manner prescribed by the Director of the Houston Airport System, and the fee may be added by the licensee to metered fares and flat rate fares for trips originating from HOU. Where passengers are being carried to two or more destinations, the airport use fee shall be prorated among them on a per destination basis. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2019-669, § 18, 9-4-2019)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-28 Reserved.

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-29 Carrying additional passengers.

Sec. 46-29. - Carrying additional passengers. Any passenger who engages the services of a taxicab shall have the exclusive right to the passenger compartment of the taxicab. Except as provided in item (3) of subsection 46-30(a) of this Code, it shall be unlawful for a licensee to carry additional passengers unless specific permission is obtained from the passenger who originally engaged the taxicab. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-30 Taximeter.

Sec. 46-30. - Taximeter. (a) A licensee or permittee shall not drive or cause or suffer or allow to be driven a taxicab in the city, unless the taxicab is equipped with a properly functioning taximeter. A licensee shall not carry a passenger, whether for hire or not, unless the taximeter is in the recording position. Provided, however, it shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution under this subsection that the only passenger in the taxicab at the time the taximeter was not in recording position was a person riding for training purposes only, and: (1) The passenger had a valid license issued by the city at the time he was riding as a passenger; (2) The passenger had not driven a taxicab within the city for 30 days or more prior to the date the defendant was charged for violation of this subsection; and (3) At the time the person was riding as a passenger, there was a sign indicating that a passenger was riding for purposes of training as a licensee. The sign must be located so that it would be visible to any person who might ride in the vehicle as a passenger for hire. (b) A licensee may utilize a virtual taximeter, provided the virtual taximeter meets the applicable standards as established and updated or amended in the National Institutes of Standards and Technology's Handbook 44 and enforced by federal or state Departments of Weights and Measures or comparable agency or program. The virtual meter must be visible to a passenger seated in the rear of the vehicle, and the virtual taximeter must have been submitted to the city and approved by the director prior to use. (c) Except for any deposit or scheduling fee required for taxicab vehicle for hire services provided as pre-arranged transportation services or as otherwise provided in this article, all charges and collections for hire shall be based upon the taximeter reading. The dial showing the fare shall be in full view and readily visible and readable by the passenger or passengers at all times taxi service is being rendered. (d) Upon receipt of a complaint or information that a permittee or licensee is operating or has operated a taxicab vehicle in violation of this section, the director shall require the subject permittee's or licensee's records and the subject taxicab vehicle's taximeter to be inspected by the director at a time and location designated by the director. (e) A permittee shall not drive or cause or suffer or allow to be driven and a licensee shall not drive any taxicab on which any modification has been made to the taximeter or virtual taximeter or to any mechanical or electrical parts of the taxicab activating the taximeter or virtual taximeter that causes rates higher than those authorized in this division to be recorded and shown on the taximeter or virtual taximeter. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2016-736, § 16, 10-5-2016; Ord. No. 2019-669, § 19, 9-4-2019)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-31 Rates prescribed.

Sec. 46-31. - Rates prescribed. (a) Except for taxicabs dispatched through a mobile dispatch service, all permittees and licensees shall comply with and abide by the rates established in this section: (1) Daytime metered travel. For daytime trips, the maximum metered travel fee shall be $3.72 for the first 1/11 of a mile or less plus $0.27 for each additional 1/11 of a mile or less. (2) Nighttime metered travel. For nighttime trips, the maximum metered travel fee shall be $4.72 for the first 1/11 of a mile or less plus $0.27 for each additional 1/11 of a mile or less. (3) IAH flat rates. Alternative maximum flat rates shall be imposed for trips between George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston (IAH) and its geographic zones I through X. Current maximum rates shall be posted on the website maintained by the department of administration and regulatory affairs and kept on file in the office of the city secretary, where, upon request, such rates shall be made available for viewing during normal business hours. Provided that the lesser of the applicable flat rate or the actual metered rate shall be charged. A copy of the zone map for IAH taxicab rates shall remain on file for public inspection in the office of the city secretary. The centers of the streets and geographic features noted thereon as boundary lines shall determine boundaries between adjacent zones. The foregoing zone rates exclude the airport use fees, which may be additionally imposed on metered or flat fares. (4) HOU flat rates. Alternative maximum flat rates shall be imposed for trips between William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and its geographic zones I through XI. Current maximum rates shall be posted on the website maintained by the department of administration and regulatory affairs and kept on file in the office of the city secretary, where, upon request, such rates shall be made available for viewing during normal business hours. Provided that the lesser of the applicable flat rate or the actual metered rate shall be charged. A copy of the zone map for HOU taxicab rates shall remain on file for public inspection in the office of the city secretary. The centers of the streets and geographic features noted thereon as boundary lines shall determine boundaries between adjacent zones. The foregoing zone rates exclude the airport use fees, which may be additionally imposed on metered or flat fares. (5) Waiting time. An amount not to exceed $24.00 per hour may be charged for waiting time, provided the clock on the taximeter is set and regulated at a rate not to exceed $24.00 per hour. (6) Hand luggage. No charge will be made for hand luggage. (7) Reservation and billing service fee: a. A reservation and billing service fee may be added to the total trip charges authorized in this section, provided: 1. The trip originates with an advance reservation; and 2. At the request of the account holder or his authorized agent the fare and other charges are billed on account by the permittee, rather than being paid at the end of the trip. The reservation and billing service fee shall not exceed ten percent of the total trip charges imposed, including the tip, if any. b. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this item (7) shall not be construed to authorize the operation of a taxicab service in such manner as to constitute a chauffeured limousine service. In the event of conflict, the provisions of article IV of this chapter shall prevail. (8) Toll road fee. In addition to the fees prescribed in this section, the permittees and licensees may impose a toll road fee in an amount exactly equal to any fees imposed by the Harris County Toll Road Authority for use of its facilities during the trip, provided that the imposition of the fee is noted on the posted rate card, and further provided that the passenger(s) are notified of the fee before the taxicab enters the toll road. Where passengers are being carried to two or more destinations, the toll road fees shall be prorated among them, per destination. (9) Alternate central business district flat rate. An alternate maximum flat rate of $6.00 shall be imposed for trips entirely within the central business district. All forms of payment shall be accepted for these trips. (10) TCI review and rate adjustment. The director shall promulgate regulations regarding review of the TCI and its factors and weighting, which shall be used to determine whether taxicab rates need to be adjusted, and regarding the review of rates and the implementation of new rates, should they be deemed necessary. Current rates as adjusted by the TCI shall be posted on the website maintained by the department of administration and regulatory affairs and kept on file in the office of the city secretary and, upon request, made available for viewing during normal business hours. (11) Fuel cost recovery fee and fuel surcharge: a. When the average price per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline exceeds $3.00, the per trip fuel surcharge shall be as follows: Gasoline Price Per Gallon | Surcharge Per Trip $3.00 or less | None $3.01 to $3.50 | $0.50 $3.51 to $4.00 | $1.00 Each additional increment of $0.50 | $0.50 per additional increment of $0.50 b. When required, a fuel surcharge shall become effective on the first day of the first month of each calendar quarter, and shall remain in effect for the duration of the quarter. c. The average price per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline shall be based on the American Automobile Association (AAA) Daily Fuel Gauge Report for Houston, Texas. d. The average price per gallon shall be calculated for a three-month period ending not more than 14 days prior to the beginning of a calendar quarter. e. It shall be the duty of the permittee to post signage in each permitted vehicle that fuel surcharge is in effect. The signage shall be posted in plain view of the customer. (b) The director shall establish a taxicab passenger capacity rating (exclusive of children in arms), which will constitute the maximum number of passengers that may be carried simultaneously. (c) In the event two or more taxicab passengers are going to the same destination, the licensee shall collect only one fare as recorded on the taximeter. If the passengers are going to different destinations, the licensee shall clear his taximeter at the first destination and charge the first passenger the amount recorded on the taximeter, and then proceed to the next destination as though it were a completely new trip. Other destinations shall be treated likewise. (d) Where any permittee has contracted with any department, agency or subdivision of the state, the United States or any foreign government or any nonprofit charitable organization for the transportation of passengers for the entity on a regular basis within the corporate limits of the city, the permittee is authorized, in lieu of the fares prescribed in subsection (a) above, to make other charges as are agreed to in writing by the contracting parties and filed with the director, prior to the transportation of passengers under the contract. A permittee or licensee transporting contract passengers under this subsection must fully comply with all other applicable provisions of this article. (e) Senior citizens' discount: (1) Rate; restrictions. Any taxicab passenger 60 years old or older who provides to the licensee proof of age as specified in this subsection at the time the fare is collected shall be charged a reduced fare equal to 90 percent of the fee otherwise applicable as set out in items (a)(1) through (a)(5) of this section; provided, however, the reduced fare set out in this subsection shall not be applicable in any of the following situations: a. In the event the passenger has ridden in the taxicab to the same destination with another passenger who is not an attendant but is 13 years of age or older but less than 60 years of age; b. The passenger is a person with disabilities who is riding in the taxicab pursuant to the terms of a contract between the permittee and the Metropolitan Transit Authority; or c. The fare is being charged to any account other than the passenger's personal account. For purposes of this item, an attendant is a person who is accompanying a passenger because the passenger is physically or mentally unable to travel alone. (2) Proof of age. To provide proof of age for the purposes of this subsection, the taxicab passenger must allow the licensee to examine one of the following identification documents that has been issued to the passenger and that has a picture of the passenger thereon: a. A driver license or identification card issued by a state of the United States; b. A military identification card; c. A passport; or d. An alien registration receipt card (Form I-551 or I-151) or border crossing card issued by the United States Immigration Service. (3) Posting of notice in taxicab. A person shall not operate a taxicab unless a notice regarding the discount set out in this subsection is posted in the passenger area of the taxicab. The director shall specify the information to be set out on the notice, the size of the print, the colors, and the location where the notice shall be placed. (f) A permittee may charge rates that are lower than the maximum rates approved in this section, provided the permittee must file its schedule of rates or any revisions to its schedule with the director at least ten days before the rates become effective. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2014-914, § 6, 10-8-2014; Ord. No. 2015-997, §§ 10, 11, 10-14-2015; Ord. No. 2019-669, §§ 20—22, 9-4-2019; Ord. No. 2022-387, § 2, 5-18-2022; Ord. No. 2025-1050, § 6, 12-17-2025)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-32 Posting of license and other information.

Sec. 46-32. - Posting of license and other information. (a) Each permitted taxicab shall be equipped with a license and rate card holder approved by the director. The holder shall be mounted on the taximeter or dashboard of the taxicab in a conspicuous location where the contents thereof may be seen by the passengers. It shall be the duty of the permittee and licensee to place in the holder the city-issued license containing a picture of the licensee, the licensee's name and description, and a rate card showing the name of the permittee and the approved maximum taxicab rates specified in section 46-31 of this Code and the rates that will be charged by the permittee or licensee, if the rates are lower. The size and contents of the license and the rate cards shall be approved by the director. (b) It shall be the duty of the permittee and licensee of each taxicab to ensure that the taxicab has cards posted showing the rates for travel to and from IAH and to and from HOU for each zone as specified in section 46-31 of this Code and the taxicab zone rates that will be charged by the permittee or licensee, if the rates are lower, as well as a map depicting the zones. One card shall be posted in a location conspicuous to a passenger in the front seat and the other card shall be posted in a location in the back seats so that the contents thereof can be seen by passengers riding in the back seats. (c) It shall be the duty of each permittee and licensee to post a card with the telephone numbers of the director and the permittee for complaint purposes regarding taxicab services or charges. This card shall be mounted adjacent to the rate cards required by this section and shall instruct the passenger that if he wishes to file a complaint, he should obtain the taxicab number as posted on the taxicab, date, time, destination, and fare charged. (d) It shall be the duty of each permittee and licensee to post a card that indicates whether smoking is permitted or prohibited in the taxicab. (e) In lieu of placement of the information cards required in this section, the director may authorize the information to be displayed on the passenger information module in the rear of the vehicle. (f) Each permittee and licensee shall ensure that the fare rates charged for travel in a taxicab are displayed as provided in subsection (b) of this section. Each permittee and licensee whose taxicab is dispatched through a mobile dispatch service shall ensure that the fare rates charged for travel in his taxicab are displayed along with a fare rate estimator, on the website, internet-enabled application, or digital platform used by the permittee to connect drivers and passengers. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2015-997, § 12, 10-14-2015; Ord. No. 2016-736, § 17, 10-5-2016; Ord. No. 2019-669, § 23, 9-4-2019)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-33 Payment method.

Sec. 46-33. - Payment method. A permittee or licensee shall not drive or cause or suffer or allow to be driven a taxicab in the city, unless it is equipped with a properly functioning credit card payment device that either is mounted in a location that is within reach of a customer in a rear seat or can be passed to a passenger in a front seat or back seat. Additionally, it shall be unlawful for any permittee or licensee to refuse to accept a passenger's payment of posted rates by credit card. The use of other credit card payment devices that do not allow the passenger to maintain control of his credit card is expressly prohibited. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014 eff. 2-2-2015; Ord. No. 2015-997, § 13, 10-14-2015; Ord. No. 2019-669, § 23, 9-4-2019)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-34 Receipt for payment of fare.

Sec. 46-34. - Receipt for payment of fare. No licensee of any taxicab, upon receiving full payment for a fare as authorized by this article, shall refuse to give a receipt upon the request of any passenger making the payment. A receipt provided to the passenger via the passenger's e-mail address shall be sufficient for purposes of providing a receipt for payment upon the request of any passenger. Additionally, the permittee shall make available to each licensee a receipt book or other electronic instrument capable of creating a payment record required by this section. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-35 Required operation; placing taxicab vehicles into service.

Sec. 46-35. - Required operation; placing taxicab vehicles into service. (a) Permittees shall pick up or accept delivery of any permit initially granted under this article and place the taxicab into service as follows: (1) A permit initially applied for on or after the effective date of this ordinance shall not be issued unless the permittee has a vehicle to place into service; (2) The permittee shall present the taxicab for initial placement into service and for inspection at a location authorized and identified by the director within 180 days subsequent to the date of the granting of the permits; and (3) If any permit is not obtained or any taxicab is not placed into service as provided herein, the permit shall be automatically revoked, and the director shall cause the permittee to surrender any certification decals or other permit indicia that have been issued. (b) Permittees shall operate or cause their taxicabs to be operated whenever public convenience requires that the taxicabs be in operation. The director may order any or all permittees to put into operation any taxicab not then in operation whenever public convenience requires that all permitted taxicabs be in operation. (c) If a vehicle is removed from any permit initially applied for and issued on or after the effective date of this ordinance and not replaced with another vehicle, the vacant permit shall be returned to the director without a refund. Permittee may reapply for a permit as stated in this article. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014; Ord. No. 2015-997, § 14, 10-14-2015; Ord. No. 2019-669, § 24, 9-4-2019; Ord. No. 2021-804, §§ 7, 8, 9-15-2021)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-36 Removal of identification marks when vehicle retired from service.

Sec. 46-36. - Removal of identification marks when vehicle retired from service. No permittee shall dispose of a taxicab that is being retired from service until all marks of taxicab identification have been removed therefrom. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-37 Inspection by city—Generally.

Sec. 46-37. - Inspection by city—Generally. (a) The director shall cause each taxicab for which a permit has been issued to be inspected at the time that it is initially placed into service and thereafter at least once each year. The inspection shall be made to determine that the taxicab is in a reasonably good state of repair, clean, and equipped and being operated in compliance with all requirements of this article. The inspection shall be made at a place designated by the director. The director shall create a permanent record, in paper or electronic format, of all inspections, which shall be maintained for a period of at least two years. (b) If the inspection reveals that a vehicle is not in a reasonably good operating condition, from the standpoint of the safety, health, and comfort of passengers, the director shall order the taxicab out of service until remedial repairs and corrections have been made. When the repairs and corrections have been made, the vehicle shall be reinspected to determine whether or not proper repairs and corrections have been made, and in no case shall the taxicab be permitted to resume its operation until the repairs and corrections have been made. It shall be unlawful for a permittee to utilize any taxicab that has been ordered out of service until the vehicle has been reinspected and the director authorizes resumption of its use. (c) Inspections shall include, but not be limited to, the following items: vehicle identification number; taxicab number; date of purchase; foot brakes; parking brake; head lamps; tail lamps; license plate lights; stool light; dome light; horn; windshield wipers; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems; rearview mirror; all glasses; cleanliness; safety; condition of paint; color scheme; certification decals; taximeter seals and readings; credit card payment device integrated with global positioning satellite system; rate card; signs; fumes; state license plates and registration sticker; speedometer readings; mileage; steering; tires; muffler and tail pipe; accuracy of taximeter; and condition of the body of the vehicle and fenders. (Ord. No. 2014-754, § 2(Exh. A), 8-6-2014, eff. 2-2-2015; Ord. No. 2016-736, § 18, 10-5-2016; Ord. No. 2025-1050, § 7, 12-17-2025)

Houston Code of Ordinances § 46-40 Reserved.

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_ARTIITA_DIV1GEFetched: 10/26/2026