§ 7-11060. General operating regulations.

(a)

The total number of horse-drawn carriages allowed to operate at any one time upon the streets of the city is limited to six (6) of which four (4) may be on tour. Any carriages in excess of the four (4) on tour shall only be permitted if it is in transport to or from their staging area. The carriages in operation shall be divided equally among the carriage companies.

(b)

Spacing of carriages. In order to relieve congestion on the streets and to mitigate impact upon residents and businesses no more than one touring vehicle (either bus or horse-drawn carriage) shall be driven along any three-block section in the same direction at any one time. A three-block section is defined as that linear segment of any individual street circumscribed by four (4) contiguous intersecting streets. Where these spacing requirements are not met, the drivers of the last carriages to enter that section shall generally be deemed to have committed the violation. This provision applies only to carriages while used for hire. However, drivers of carriages which are not being used for hire are encouraged to observe these spacing requirements.

(c)

No single animal shall pull a load greater than the load weight it is certified to pull by a licensed veterinarian.

(d)

No driver shall permit more passengers to be carried in a carriage than the rated seating capacity of the carriage. A child in arms shall not be counted as a passenger.

(e)

No driver shall collect fares, make change, or take on or discharge passengers when the carriage is in motion.

(f)

It shall be unlawful for a driver of any carriage to leave the vehicle, or the immediate premises thereof, while the vehicle is parked or while awaiting passengers at the carriage stand.

(g)

It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit passengers verbally or by gesture, directly or indirectly, or to advertise or hawk tickets at any loading zone, upon the streets, or in any public outdoor space of the city. The sale of tour tickets may only occur at the carriage stand by the company which is in rotation, inside, on private property or other locations as designated by city council.

(h)

It shall be unlawful to consume or transport alcoholic beverages aboard any carriage.

(i)

A driver may refuse service to any potential customer who appears to be impaired or disorderly.

(j)

Any driver or operator discovering personal property left on his carriage shall deliver or report such property to the office of the carriage company within twelve (12) hours after the discovery. The driver's report shall include brief particulars to enable the company to identify the owner of the lost property. The driver will advise any passenger claiming to have lost property while on tours to report such loss to the police. The company shall retain any found property for at least sixty (60) days before disposal.

(k)

Carriages shall not be operated in adverse weather conditions.

(l)

Drivers must keep the horse reins in their hands at all times while the vehicle is touring, whether stopped or in motion. Drivers shall position themselves at no greater than a right angle to the front of the carriage while on tour and shall remain behind the dash of the carriage while in operation.

(Ord. No. O-13-04, 6-8-04; Ord. No. O-03-08, 2-12-08; Ord. No. O-28-11, 9-27-11)