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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METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION LICENSING COMMISSION
RULES AND PROCEDURES
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.
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HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES
1. CARRIAGE DRIVER PERMIT FEES
A $20 fee shall be collected annually for anyone applying to operate a horse drawn carriage. In addition, a $75 fee will be assessed for all records checks requiring an investigation by law enforcement agencies. There shall be a $10 replacement fee charged. 4
2. CARRIAGE FEES
A $25 fee shall be collected annually for each horse-drawn carriage to be operated on any Metropolitan street. 2
3. ANNUAL CARRIAGE COMPANY CERTIFICATE FEES
A $100 fee shall be collected annually for each company wishing to operate a horse drawn carriage service within Metro. If a request for an amendment or a temporary change of the certificate is made, a $25 fee shall be collected. 2
4. CESSATION OF OPERATIONS FOR ADVERSE TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS
Carriage operations may not be conducted when temperatures are below 25 degrees Fahrenheit or there is ice on the road. Operations may not be conducted when temperatures are above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Official temperature will be as reported by TDOT 511. Exceptions to this Rule may be granted by the Director, on a case-by-case basis, for special events only. 8, 14
5. SOLICITATION PROHIBITED
Any representative of a horse-drawn carriage company is prohibited from soliciting business in any manner inside the Interstate-40/Interstate-24/Interstate-65 loop, except that a driver or carriage company owner may respond to questions from the public while the carriage is parked at a carriage stand. 10
6. NEW DRIVER TRAINING
All newly-permitted carriage drivers must complete a training program under the supervision of a qualified instructor or trainer prior to operating a horse-drawn carriage alone on city streets. Company owners shall develop training programs and submit instructor/trainer qualifications information to the Commission director for approval. At a minimum, driver training must include the following sequence:
a.
Demonstrating proficiency under the direct supervision of the instructor/trainer on at least 20 rides without passengers;
b.
Demonstrating ability to successfully negotiate an approved obstacle course;
c.
Demonstrating ability to control the carriage horse by voice commands and rein control; and
d.
Demonstrating proficiency under the direct supervision of the instructor/trainer on at least 10 rides with passengers.
Company owners will be responsible to ensure all previously-permitted drivers can meet requirements b. and c. above. 14
7. CARRIAGE EQUIPMENT AND VISIBILITY
Carriages shall be equipped with rear-view mirrors, tail lights, brake lights, rear-facing turn signals, and side-facing lights. Lights must be clearly visible at night for a distance of at least 80 feet. 14
8. INSURANCE
Proof of insurance coverage shall be required for a minimum of six passengers. If the carriage is a limousine carriage or other carriage capable of transporting more than six passengers, then the proof of insurance shall be required for nine passengers. 14
9. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR OPERATIONS DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS OR SPECIAL EVENTS
Any carriage driver who is operating a horse-drawn carriage from any stand or on any route on public property within the metropolitan area which deviates from the following standard downtown tour route:
West from stands on Broadway; then
South on Fourth Avenue; then
West on Demonbreun; then
North on Fifth Avenue; then
East on Broadway; then
Around Riverfront Circle; then
West on Broadway, Return to Carriage Stands
or which deviates from the signed and restricted-use carriage stands on Broadway, must have documentation signed by the appropriate official at the Mayor’s office, or the Traffic and Parking Commission, or the Metro Parks and Recreation Board. This documentation must specifically authorize all deviations, and must include: the purpose for which it is approved, the start time and end time, and detailed routes and stops (including loading and unloading areas) which have been pre-approved. Drivers will be required to present this documentation to transportation licensing inspectors or police officials on demand. 18
