Taxicab

Effective immediately the SB Police Dept. will be charging a $25 rolling fee for Live Scans, this charge will be paid at the time of the scan.

Thank you for choosing the City of Santa Barbara, in which to provide your taxicab service. Taxicabs provide our citizens an alternate means of transportation and also give more mobility to city residents with restricted modes of travel.

To ensure the public’s safety, the City has permit and licensing requirements for taxicab operators and drivers. Refer to the Municipal Code (Code) for detailed requirements to provide taxicab services in the City of Santa Barbara, and permit and licensing instructions.

The information contained on this web page attempts to help the taxicab owner and its drivers through the permit and license requirements and is not intended to supersede any provisions of the Code. Should this information present any information in conflict with the Municipal Code, the Code shall prevail.

If you have questions about this process please contact Police Department: (805) 897-2333 or email: permits@sbpd.com.

In addition to the permits listed below, Independent Contactors and Business Owners are required to have a Business License Tax Certificate. Business License Tax Certificates are renewed yearly, which are mailed prior to their expiration date. 

Documents

·          Taxicab Driver Application Form (PDF 94KB)

·          Taxicab Driver Renewal Application Form (PDF 191KB)

·          Taxicab New Owner Application Packet (PDF 654KB)

·          Municipal Code 5.29 (PDF 748KB)
(Go to page 43 in the document.)

Present documents at SBPD 215 E. Figueroa St. Payments for all applications and/or services may be made with cash or check only.  The Police Technician’s office is not equipped to accept credit card payments. Hours of all taxi-related business are limited to the following schedule:  Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  Appointments for taxi-related business are encouraged and may be requested via email: permits@sbpd.com.  Those with appointments will be seen prior to walk-ins.

New driver permit applicants are required to have a Livescan (fingerprinting).  Appointments are generally scheduled for approximately 2 weeks from the date the application is submitted. The application process generally takes approximately 4 weeks from the date of Livescan.  However, occasional Department of Justice delays in processing fingerprints may cause the process to take longer. Temporary permits are NOT issued to new driver applicants.  Temporary permits are only issued for permit renewals.

·         Vehicle inspection sheet

The Inspection Sheet is provided for Taxi Operations, it is for their convenience. Every 4 months taxi’s are required to have their vehicles inspected by a mechanic. 

Pedicab

To ensure the public’s safety, the City has permit and licensing requirements for pedicab operators and drivers. Refer to the Municipal Code (Code) for detailed requirements to provide pedicab services in the City of Santa Barbara, and permit and licensing instructions.

Documents

·          Pedicab Operator Application Form (PDF 126KB)

·          Pedicab Operator Renewal Application Form (PDF 91KB)

·          Pedicab Owner Application Packet (PDF 140KB)

·          Municipal Code 5.28 (PDF 748KB)
(Go to page 36 in the document.)

New pedicab operator applicants require a Livescan (fingerprint) processing fee $32.00. Appointments are scheduled approximately 2 weeks from the date the application is submitted. Application process for new applicants generally takes 4 to 6 weeks.  Renewal applications are generally processed within 2 to 4 weeks.
Additionally, Business License Permit require a minimum fee of $25.00, and $10.00 per pedicab decal.
Temporary permits are NOT issued to new applicants.  Temporary permits are issued to drivers renewing their permits, when applicable.