Working in the City of San Diego
The San Deigo Municiple Code, Chapter 8, Article 3, Division 1: Pedicabs covers the rules applicable
to operating a pedicab for hire in the City of San Diego. At a minimum, you will need to obtain a Business Tax Certificate and an
Operator's Permit. If you own your own pedicab, then you will be required to obtain a vehicle permit as well. These permits are valid
for one year from the date of issue.
As you research required permits to operate in San Diego, you will come
across regulations that govern operations in the San Diego Port District (one of the more common areas is in the Embarcadero,
along the waterfront). The Port District has existing regulations codified in the San Diego Unified Port District Code, Article
8, Section 8-07: Regulation of Pedicabs, however the sections that deal with permits is not currently being enforced. As of May 2005
and according to the SD Harbor Police, issuance of Port District Pedicab Permits has been suspended - operators are only required
to have current City permits.
To operate a pedicab in Balboa Park, you must obtain
an Alternate Form of Transportation (AFT) Right of Entry Permit from the Park Ranger. These permits are issued by lottery the first
Saturday of every month, are only good within Balboa Park and must be renewed monthly.
Working in San Diego County
While pedicabs are plentiful downtown, they are not as common throughout
the rest of the County. Generally speaking if you plan on operating a pedicab for hire in a city within San Diego County, you may
need to obtain a Business License from the city where you plan to work. In August 1998 the Board of Supervisors deleted the requirement
for businesses operating in Unincorporated areas to have a business license.
Note: Pedicabs are not regulated under the Uniform License Procedures in the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances (Title
1, Division 6, Chapter 1, Section 16.101) and therefor do not require additional permits from the County Sheriff.
California
Vehicle Code
Bicycles are considered vehicles and are governed by the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Sections 21200 - 21210. Failure
to comply with the rules of the road is dangerous and will subject you to the same fines and penaties applicable to motor vehicles.
The safety of your passengers should be your number one priority - obey all traffic rules!
Other Research and Studies Specific
to Pedicab Regulations
- London Assembly, Transport Committee: "London's Pedicabs: The Transport Commttee's Scruitiny into the Future
of London's Rickshaws." February 2005. [Download the full report in .PDF format here]
- San Francisco Municipal Code, Article 39 - Pedicabs.
[Download Article 39 in .PDF format here]
- Proposed Amendment to Pedicab Regulations and Transfer of Program to MTS, City of San Diego
City Manager's Report, May 11, 2005, Report No. 05-115. Presented to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee May 18,
2005.
- Amendments to the Pedicab ordinance are approved and take effect July 8, 2006. Significant changes include the requirement
for ALL operators to have, and carry, a valid California Drivers License while operating a pedicab; ALL pedicabs must be equiped with
seat belts and the Police now have the authority to impound pedicabs for violations of pedicab ordinances or the California Vehicle
Code.
