Sunday, January 15, 2012

Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee, Code of Ordinances

Sugar Carriages Fully Supports all the ordinances governing Horse-Drawn Carriages.
Sugar Creek Carriages has one of the best safety records in the state of TN.

"We participated in the formation of the ordinances 12 years ago we firmly stand by them today" -Johnny Smith

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Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee, Code of Ordinances

Chapter 12.54 - HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES

Fees.

A.

The annual fees for a horse-drawn carriage license issued by the commission shall be set by the commission by rule as necessary to cover all expenses related to the administration of this chapter.

B.

All fees shall be made payable to metro through the commission. All certificates shall expire annually on March 1 of each year and must be renewed by the commission director to remain in force. No prorating of the fee shall be permitted.

C.

If a certificate is amended to increase the number or vehicles or horses used, the commission director shall collect a fee as a result of the amendment in addition to appropriate permit fees.

D.

A fee for a temporary amendment to the certificate authorizing supplemental vehicles during peak demand periods is authorized for each vehicle or horse.

E.

If a license or an identification card is lost or destroyed, the commission director shall issue the permittee a duplicate permit upon payment to metro of a duplicate permit fee.

F.

No refund of a fee required by this section may be made.

(Amdt. 1 and 2 with Ord. 2002-1075 § 1 (part), 2002)

Non-transferability.

A certificate of public convenience and necessity, horse-drawn carriage permit, carriage driver's license, or an identification card is assigned to one person or company, and is not transferable.

(Amdt. 1 and 2 with Ord. 2002-1075 § 1 (part), 2002)

Accidents.

A.

The driver of a horse carriage shall report any accident involving such carriage to the police department. The company shall notify the commission director of such accident by nine a.m. on the next business day.

B.

No horse or carriage involved in an accident where structural damage to the carriage or injury to the horse has occurred, shall be operated again until the carriage has been inspected by the commission director or a police officer and the horse has been certified for service by a veterinarian. The company shall present written notice of certification to the commission director.

(Amdt. 1 and 2 with Ord. 2002-1075 § 1 (part), 2002)

Routes.

A.

A horse-drawn carriage shall operate horse-drawn carriages only upon streets according to routes and restrictions developed through consultation with the metropolitan traffic and parking commission.

B.

Horse-drawn carriages operate for-hire are barred from using streets which:

1.

Have a speed limit exceeding thirty-five m.p.h., unless prior approval is obtained from the traffic and parking commission;

2.

Are designated as major arterial streets by the metropolitan planning commission, except during the hours of six p.m. to six a.m. and on Saturday, Sunday and holidays as determined in consultation with the traffic and parking commission. Exceptions may be made only with the express consent of the traffic and parking commission.

C.

The authorized routes and tether locations shall be subject to amendment as needed through consultation with the metro traffic and parking commission to ensure safe and efficient movement of traffic.

D.

Advance charter tours may deviate from the route provided the company operates on streets approved for routes.

E.

A company shall receive prior approval of the commission director to deviate from approved routes or destinations and which require the use or crossing of streets designated as arterial streets by the metropolitan planning commission.

F.

In the event of a funeral, a company may notify the commission director twenty-four hours in advance of its intention to use a non-authorized route.

(Amdt. 1 and 2 with Ord. 2002-1075 § 1 (part), 2002)

Hours of operation.

A.

Carriage shall operate only after six p.m. and must leave the streets by six a.m., Monday through Friday, unless the metropolitan traffic and parking commission grants the carriage specific permission to operate during other hours. Carriages may operate during any hours on weekends and on holidays.

B.

Should the commission director determine that special circumstances exist which would jeopardize the safety of the animal, such as bad weather or other environmental problems, the commission director may order a temporary suspension of the operation of all horse-drawn vehicles until such time as the special circumstances abate.

C.

Carriages lights must be lit from dusk until dawn or when inclement weather dictates.

(Amdt. 1 and 2 with Ord. 2002-1075 § 1 (part), 2002)

Enforcement by police department.

Officers of the police department shall assist in the enforcement of this chapter. A police officer observing a violation of this chapter, or the regulations established by the director, shall take necessary action to insure effective regulation of horse-drawn carriage.

(Amdt. 1 and 2 with Ord. 2002-1075 § 1 (part), 2002)

Penalties.

A.

All provisions of this chapter shall be governed by the penalties found in Metropolitan Code of Laws, Section 1.01.030

B.

Notwithstanding any provision contained herein, the commission shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter.