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TITLE 9

BUSINESS PEDDLERS, SOLICITORS, ETC.[1]  

CHAPTER

1.  MISCELLANEOUS.

2.  PEDDLERS, ETC.

3.  CHARITABLE SOLICITORS.

4.  TAXICABS.

5.  POOL ROOMS.

6.  CABLE TELEVISION.

7.  WRECKER SERVICES.

8.  YARD SALES.

9.  SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESS.

 

CHAPTER 1

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION

9‑101.  "Going out of business" sales.

 

            9‑101.   "Going out of business" sales.  It shall be unlaw­ful for any person falsely to represent a sale as being a "going out of business" sale.  A "going out of business" sale, for the purposes of this section, shall be a "fire sale," "bankrupt sale," "loss of lease sale," or any other sale made in anticipation of the termination of a business at its present location.  When any person, after advertising a "going out of business" sale, adds to his stock or fails to go out of busi­ness within ninety (90) days he shall prima facie be deemed to have violated this section. 


CHAPTER 2

PEDDLERS, ETC.[2]

SECTION

9‑201.  Permit required.

9‑202.  Exemptions.

9‑203.  Application for permit.

9‑204.  Issuance or refusal of permit.

9‑205.  Appeal.

9‑206.  Bond.

9‑207.  Loud noises and speaking devices.

9‑208.  Use of streets.

9‑209.  Exhibition of permit.

9‑210.  Policemen to enforce.

9‑211.  Revocation or suspension of permit.

9‑212.  Reapplication.

9‑213.  Expiration and renewal of permit.

 

            9‑201.   Permit required.  It shall be unlawful for any peddler, canvasser or solicitor, or transient merchant to ply his trade within the corporate limits without first obtaining a permit in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.  No permit shall be used at any time by any person other than the one to whom it is issued.  

 

            9‑202.   Exemptions.  The terms of this chapter shall not be applicable to persons selling at wholesale to dealers, nor to newsboys, nor to bona fide merchants who merely deliver goods in the regular course of business, nor to bona fide charitable, religious, patriotic or philanthropic organiza­tions. 

 

            9‑203.   Application for permit.  Applicants for a permit under this chapter must file with the town recorder a sworn written application containing the following:

            (1)        Name and physical description of applicant.

            (2)        Complete permanent home address and local address of the applicant and, in the case of transient merchants, the local address from which proposed sales will be made.

            (3)        A brief description of the nature of the business and the goods to be sold.

            (4)        If employed, the name and address of the employer, together with credentials therefrom establishing the exact relationship.

            (5)        The length of time for which the right to do business is desired.

            (6)        A recent clear photograph approximately two (2) inches square showing the head and shoulders of the applicant.

            (7)        The names of at least two (2) reputable local prop­erty owners who will certify as to the applicant's good moral reputation and business responsibility, or in lieu of the names of references, such other available evidence as will enable an investigator to evaluate properly the applicant's moral reputation and business responsibility.

            (8)        A statement as to whether or not the applicant has been convicted of any crime or misdemeanor or for violating any municipal ordinance and, if so, the nature of the offense and the punishment or penalty assessed therefor.

            (9)        The last three (3) cities or towns, if that many, where applicant carried on business immediately preceding the date of application and, in the case of transient merchants, the addresses from which such business was conducted in those municipalities.

            (10)      At the time of filing the application, a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be paid to the municipality to cover the cost of investigating the facts stated therein. 

 

            9‑204.  Issuance or refusal of permit. (1) Each appli­cation shall be investi­gated.  The investigator shall report his findings within seventy‑two (72) hours.

            (2)        If as a result of such investigation the applicant's moral reputation and/or business responsibility is found to be unsatisfactory, he will be notified that his application is disapproved and that no permit will be issued.

            (3)        If, on the other hand, the report indicates that the moral reputation and business responsibility of the applicant are satisfactory, he will be issued a permit upon the payment of all applicable privilege taxes and the filing of the bond required by § 9‑206.  The town shall keep a permanent record of all permits issued.  

 

            9‑205.  Appeal.  Any person denied a permit shall have the right to appeal to the city council.  Such appeal shall be taken by filing with the mayor, within fourteen (14) days after notice of the action complained of, a written statement setting forth fully the grounds for the appeal.  The mayor shall set a time and place for a hearing on such appeal, and notice of the time and place of such hear­ing shall be given to the appellant.  The notice shall be in writing and shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to the applicant at his last known address at least five (5) days prior to the date set for hearing, or shall be delivered by a police of­ficer in the same manner as a summons at least three (3) days prior to the date set for hearing.  

 

            9‑206.   Bond.  Every permittee shall file with the town recorder a surety bond running to the municipality in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00). The bond shall be conditioned that the permittee shall comply fully with all the provisions of the ordinances of the Town of Eagleville and the statutes of the state regulating peddlers, canvassers, solici­tors, transient merchants, itinerant merchants, or itinerant vendors, as the case may be, and shall guarantee to any citizen of the municipality that all money paid as a down payment will be accounted for and applied according to the representations of the permittee, and further guaranteeing to any citizen of the municipality doing business with said permittee that the property purchased will be delivered according to the repre­sentations of the permittee.  Action on such bond may be brought by any person aggrieved and for whose benefit, among others, the bond is given.  The surety may, by paying, pursuant to order of the court, the face amount of the bond to the clerk of the court in which the suit is commenced, be re­lieved without costs of all further liability. 

 

            9‑207.   Loud noises and speaking devices.  No permittee, nor any person in his behalf, shall shout, cry out, blow a horn, ring a bell or use any sound amplifying device upon any of the sidewalks, streets, alleys, parks or other public places of the municipality or upon private premises where sound of sufficient volume is emitted or produced therefrom to be capable of being plainly heard upon the adjacent sidewalks, streets, alleys, parks, or other public places, for the pur­pose of attracting attention to any goods, wares or merchan­dise which such permittee proposes to sell. 

 

            9‑208.   Use of streets.  No permittee shall have any ex­clusive right to any location in the public streets, nor shall any be permitted a stationary location thereon, nor shall any be permitted to operate in a congested area where the opera­tion might impede or inconvenience the public use of the streets.  For the purpose of this chapter, the judgment of a police officer, exercised in good faith, shall be deemed con­clusive as to whether the area is congested and the public im­peded or inconvenienced. 

 

            9‑209.   Exhibition of permit.  Permittees are required to exhibit their permits at the request of any policeman or citizen.

 

            9‑210.   Policemen to enforce.  It shall be the duty of all policemen to see that the provisions of this chapter are enforced. 

 

            9‑211.   Revocation or suspension of permit. (1) Permits issued under the provisions of this chapter may be revoked by the city council after notice and hearing, for any of the following causes:

                        (a)        Fraud, misrepresentation, or incorrect statement contained in the application for permit, or made in the course of carrying on the business of solicitor, canvasser, peddler, transient mer­chant, itinerant merchant or itinerant vendor.

                        (b)        Any violation of this chapter.

                        (c)        Conviction of any crime or misdemeanor.

                        (d)        Conducting the business of peddler, canvasser, solicitor, transient merchant, itinerant vendor, as the case may be, in an unlawful manner or in such a manner as to constitute a breach of the peace or to constitute a menace to the health, safety, or general welfare of the public.

            (2)        Notice of the hearing for revocation of a permit shall be given by the town recorder in writing, setting forth specifi­cally the grounds of complaint and the time and place of hearing.  Such notice shall be mailed to the permittee at his last known address at least five (5) days prior to the date set for hear­ing, or it shall be delivered by a police officer in the same manner as a summons at least three (3) days prior to the date set for hearing.

            (3)        When it is reasonably necessary in the public interest, the mayor may suspend a permit pending the revocation hearing. 

 

            9‑212.   Reapplication.  No permittee whose permit has been revoked shall make further application until a period of at least six (6) months has elapsed since the last revocation.   

 

            9‑213.   Expiration and renewal of permit.  Permits issued under the provisions of this chapter shall expire on the same date that the permittee's privilege license expires and shall be renewed without cost if the permittee applies for and ob­tains a new privilege license within thirty (30) days thereafter.  Permits issued to permittees who are not subject to a privilege tax shall be issued for one (1) year.  An applica­tion for a renewal shall be made substantially in the same form as an original application.  However, only so much of the application shall be completed as is necessary to reflect conditions which have changed since the last application was filed. 

 

CHAPTER 3

CHARITABLE SOLICITORS

SECTION

9‑301.  Permit required.

9‑302.  Prerequisites for a permit.

9‑303.  Denial of a permit.

9‑304.  Exhibition of permit.

9‑305.  Trespassing.

9‑306.  Violations.

9‑307.  Roadblocks.

 

            9‑301.   Permit required.  No person shall solicit contributions or anything else of value for any real or alleged charitable or religious purpose without a permit from the town recorder authorizing such solicitation.  Provided, however, that this section shall not apply to any locally established organization or church operated exclusively for charitable or religious purposes if the solicitations are conducted exclu­sively among the members thereof, voluntarily and without re­muneration for making such solicitations, or if the solicita­tions are in the form of collections or contributions at the regular assemblies of any such established organization or church. 

 

            9‑302.   Prerequisites for a permit.  The recorder shall, upon application, issue a permit authorizing charitable or religious solicita­tions when, after a reasonable investigation, he finds the following facts to exist:

            (1)        The applicant has a good character and reputation for honesty and integrity, or if the applicant is not an individual person, that every member, managing officer, or agent of the applicant has a good character or reputation for honesty and integrity.

            (2)        The control and supervision of the solicitation will be under responsible and reliable persons.

            (3)        The applicant has not engaged in any fraudulent transaction or enterprise.

            (4)        The solicitation will not be a fraud on the public but will be for a bona fide charitable or religious purpose.

            (5)        The solicitation is prompted solely by a desire to finance the charitable cause described by the applicant.

 

            9‑303.   Denial of a permit.  Any applicant for a permit to make charitable or religious solicitations may appeal to the city council if he has not been granted a permit within fifteen (15) days after he makes application therefor. 

 

            9‑304.   Exhibition of permit.  Any solicitor required by this chapter to have a permit shall exhibit such permit at the request of any policeman or person solicited. 

 

            9‑305.   Trespassing.  It shall be unlawful and deemed to be trespass for any permittee acting under this chapter to fail to leave promptly the private premises of any person who requests or directs him to leave. 

 

            9‑306.   Violations.  Any person violating any provisions of this chapter or making a false or fraudulent statement either in his application for a permit or in the process of making a solicitation shall be subject to the penalty provided in the general penalty clause for this municipal code.  In addition to or in lieu of any pecuniary penalty, if a violator has been issued a permit, his permit shall be cancelled and revoked by the court.  

 

            9‑307.   Roadblocks.  Application to and approval of the city council shall be required before the use of a roadblock is permitted during any solicitation.

 

CHAPTER 4

TAXICABS[3]

SECTION

9‑401.  Taxicab franchise and privilege license required.

9‑402.  Requirements as to application and hearing.

9‑403.  Liability insurance or bond required.

9‑404.  Revocation or suspension of franchise.

9‑405.  Mechanical condition of vehicles.

9‑406.  Cleanliness of vehicles.

9‑407.  Inspection of vehicles.

9‑408.  License and permit required for drivers.

9‑409.  Qualifications for driver's permit.

9‑410.  Revocation or suspension of driver's permit.

9‑411.  Drivers not to solicit business.

9‑412.  Parking restricted.

9‑413.  Drivers to use direct routes.

9‑414.  Taxicabs not to be used for illegal purposes.

9‑415.  Miscellaneous prohibited conduct by drivers.

9‑416.  Transportation of more than one passenger at the same time.

 

            9‑401.  Taxicab franchise and privilege license required.  It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the taxicab business unless he has first obtained a taxicab franchise from the municipality and has a currently effective privilege license.

 

            9‑402.  Requirements as to application and hearing.  No person shall be eligible to apply for a taxicab franchise if he has a bad character or has been convicted of a felony within the last ten (10) years.  Applications for taxicab franchises shall be made under oath and in writing to the chief of police.  The application shall state the name and address of the appli­cant, the name and address of the proposed place of business, the number of cabs the applicant desires to operate, the makes and models of said cabs, and such other pertinent information as the chief of police may require.  The application shall be accompanied by at least two (2) affidavits of reputable local citizens attesting to the good character and reputation of the applicant.  Within ten (10) days after receipt of an application, the chief of police shall make a thorough investigation of the applicant; determine if there is a public need for additional taxicab service; present the application to the city council; and make a recommendation to either grant or refuse a franchise to the applicant.  The city council shall thereupon hold a public hearing at which time witnesses for and against the granting of the franchise shall be heard.  In deciding whether or not to grant the franchise the city council shall consider the public need for additional service, the increased traffic congestion, parking space requirements, and whether or not the safe use of the streets by the public, both vehicular and pedes­trian, will be preserved by the granting of such an additional franchise.  Those persons already operating taxicabs when this code is adopted shall not be required to make application under this section but shall be required to comply with all of the other provisions hereof. 

 

            9‑403.  Liability insurance or bond required.  No taxicab fran­chise shall be issued or continued in operation unless there is in full force and effect a liability insurance policy or bond for each vehicle authorized in an amount equal to that required by the state's financial responsibility law as set out in Tennessee Code Annotated, title 55, chapter 12.  The insurance policy or bond required by this section shall contain a provision that it shall not be cancelled except after at least twenty (20) days' written notice is given by the insurer to both the insured and the recorder of the municipality.  

 

            9‑404.   Revocation or suspension of franchise.  The city council, after a public hearing, may revoke or suspend any taxicab franchise for misrepresentations or false state­ments made in the application therefor or for traffic viola­tions or violations of this chapter by the taxicab owner or any driver.  

 

            9‑405.  Mechanical condition of vehicles.  It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any taxicab in the municipality unless it is equipped with four (4) wheel brakes, front and rear lights, safe tires, horn, muffler, windshield wipers, and rear vision mirror, all of which shall conform to the require­ments of state motor vehicle law. Each taxicab shall be equipped with a handle or latch or other opening device attached to each door of the passenger compartment so that such doors may be op­erated by the passenger from the inside of the taxicab without the intervention or assistance of the driver.  The motor and all mechanical parts shall be kept in such condition or repair as may be reasonably necessary to provide for the safety of the public and the continuous satisfactory operation of the taxicab.  

 

            9‑406.   Cleanliness of vehicles. All taxicabs operated in the municipality shall, at all times, be kept in a reason­ably clean and sanitary condition.  They shall be thoroughly swept and dusted at least once each day.  At least once every week they shall be thoroughly washed and the interior cleaned with a suitable antiseptic solution. 

 

            9‑407.   Inspection of vehicles.  All taxicabs shall be inspected at least semiannually by the chief of police to insure that they comply with the requirements of this chapter with respect to mechanical condition, cleanliness, etc.  

 

            9‑408.   License and permit required for drivers.  No person shall drive a taxicab unless he is in possession of a state special chauffeur's license and a taxicab driver's permit issued by the chief of police.  

 

            9‑409.   Qualifications for driver's permit.  No person shall be issued a taxicab driver's permit unless he complies with the following to the satisfaction of the chief of police:

            (1)        Makes written application to the chief of police.

            (2)        Is at least eighteen (18) years of age and holds a state special chauffeur's license.

            (3)        Undergoes an examination by a physician and is found to be of sound physique, with good eyesight and hearing and not subject to epilepsy, vertigo, heart trouble or any other infirmity of body or mind which might render him unfit for the safe operation of a public vehicle.

            (4)        Is clean in dress and person and is not addicted to the use of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

            (5)        Produces affidavits of good character from two (2) reputable citizens of the municipality who have known him personally and have observed his conduct for at least two (2) years next preceding the date of his application.

            (6)        Has not been convicted of a felony, drunk driving, driving under the influence of an intoxicant or drug, or of frequent minor traffic offenses.

            (7)        Is familiar with the state and local traffic laws.  

 

            9‑410.   Revocation or suspension of driver's permit.  The city council, after a public hearing, may revoke or suspend any taxicab driver's permit for violation of traffic regulations, for violation of this chapter, or when the driver ceases to possess the qualifications as prescribed in § 9‑409.  

 

            9‑411.  Drivers not to solicit business.  All taxicab drivers are expressly prohibited from indiscriminately soliciting passengers or from cruising upon the streets of the municipality for the purpose of obtaining patronage for their cabs.  

 

            9‑412.   Parking restricted.  It shall be unlawful to park any taxicab on any street except in such places as have been specifically designated and marked by the municipality for the use of taxicabs.  It is provided, however, that taxicabs may stop upon any street for the purpose of picking up or discharging passengers if such stops are made in such manner as not to interfere unreasonably with or obstruct other traffic and provided the passenger loading or discharging is promptly accomplished.  

 

            9‑413.  Drivers to use direct routes.  Taxicab drivers shall always deliver their passengers to their destinations by the most direct available route.

 

            9‑414.  Taxicabs not to be used for illegal purposes.  No taxicab shall be used for or in the commission of any illegal act, business, or purpose.  

 

            9‑415.   Miscellaneous prohibited conduct by drivers.  It shall be unlawful for any taxicab driver, while on duty, to be under the influence of, or to drink any intoxicating bever­age or beer; to use profane or obscene language; to shout or call to prospective passengers; to unnecessarily blow the automobile horn; or to otherwise unreasonably disturb the peace, quiet and tranquility of the municipality in any way.  

 

            9‑416.  Transportation of more than one passenger at the same time.  No person shall be admitted to a taxicab already occupied by a passenger without the consent of such other passenger.  

 

CHAPTER 5

POOL ROOMS

SECTION

9‑501.  Prohibited in residential areas.

 

            9‑501.   Prohibited in residential areas.  It shall be un­lawful for any person to open, maintain, conduct, or operate any place where pool tables or billiard tables are kept for public use or hire on any premises located within residential areas within the corporate limits of the Town of Eagleville.

 

CHAPTER 6

CABLE TELEVISION

SECTION

9‑601.  To be furnished under franchise.

 

            9‑601.  To be furnished under franchise.  Cable television service shall be furnished to the Town of Eagleville and its inhabitants under franchise as the city council shall grant. The rights, powers, duties and obligations of the Town of Eagleville and its inhabitants and the grantee of the franchise shall be clearly stated in the franchise agreement which shall be binding upon the parties concerned.[4]


CHAPTER 7

WRECKER SERVICES[5]

SECTION

9‑701.  Definition of terms.

9‑702.  Purpose and intent of chapter.

9‑703.  Wrecker franchise and privilege license requirement.

9‑704.  Requirements as to application and hearing.

9‑705.  Liability insurance or bond required.

9‑706.  Revocation or suspension of franchise.

9‑707.  Mechanical condition of vehicles.

9‑708.  Equipment required.

9‑709.  Inspection of vehicles.

9‑710.  License and permit required for drivers.

9‑711.  Rotating schedule.

9‑712.  Use of scheduled service.

9‑713.  Use of owner‑requested services.

9‑714.  Acceptable response time.

9‑715.  Revocation or suspension of driver's permit.

9‑716.  Wreckers not to be used for illegal purposes.

9‑717.  Miscellaneous prohibited conduct by drivers.

9‑718.  Schedule of rates.

9‑719.  Street cleaning.

9-720.  Storage of towed vehicles.

9‑721.  Retrieving of towed vehicles.

 

            9‑701.   Definition of terms.  For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

            (1)        "Cruising."  The driving of a wrecker on the streets, alleys, or public places of the town in a fashion or manner calculated for the purpose of soliciting business.

            (2)        "Driver."  Any person driving a wrecker upon the streets and roads of the town.

            (3)        "License."  A license issued by the chief of police or his designee authorizing the holder thereof to engage in the business of providing wrecker or towing service within the town.

            (4)        "Permit."  A permit required and issued by the town to a licensee for each wrecker operated by the licensee under the authority of a license.

            (5)        "Rate card."  A rate card issued by the town for display in each wrecker which contains the mandatory rates or charges then in force.

            (6)        "Rates and charges."  Any charges assessed for transporting, towing, or conveying a vehicle by a wrecker and storage of said vehicle.

            (7)        "Wrecker."  A public motor vehicle constructed on a truck chassis with lifting devices operated by mechanical power and employed or used for the purpose of towing, transporting, conveying, or removing any and all kinds of vehicles which are unable to be or actually are not operated under their own power.

            (8)        "Schedule of wrecker services."  A list of licensed wrecker services who have applied to the chief of police to be placed on a rotating schedule for towing of unattended or abandoned vehicles or vehicles involved in accidents, custodial arrests, or where operator is unable to operate said vehicle safely.  Said members of schedule must provide 24-hour service.  

 

            9‑702.   Purpose and intent of chapter.  It is hereby declared to be the purpose and intent of this chapter to regulate all wreckers, towing services, and wrecker services doing business for the town.  The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to a wrecker service located outside the territorial jurisdiction of the town and which occasionally passes through the town.   

 

            9‑703.   Wrecker franchise and privilege license requirement.  It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the wrecker business unless he has first obtained a wrecker franchise from the town and has a currently effective privilege license.  

 

            9‑704.   Requirements as to application and hearing.  No person shall be eligible for a wrecker franchise if he has a bad character or has been convicted of a felony within the last ten (10) years.  Applications for wrecker franchises shall be made under oath and in writing to the chief of police.  The application shall state the name and address of the applicant, the name and address of the proposed place of business, the number of wreckers the applicant desires to operate, the makes and models of said wreckers, and such other pertinent information as the chief of police may require.  Within ten (10) days after receipt of an application, the chief of police shall make or cause to be made a thorough investigation of the applicant to determine if there is a public need for additional wrecker service and whether or not to grant the franchise for additional service, and whether or not the safe use of the streets by the public, both vehicular and pedestrian, will be preserved by the granting of such an additional wrecker franchise.  

 

            9‑705.  Liability insurance or bond required.  No wrecker franchise shall be issued or continued in operation unless there is in full force and effect a liability insurance policy or bond for each vehicle authorized in an amount equal to three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) or that required by the state's financial responsibility law as set out in Tennessee Code Annotated, title 55, chapter 12, whichever is greater.  The insurance policy or bond required by this sec­tion shall contain a provision that it shall not be cancelled except after at least twenty (20) days written notice is given by the insurer to both the insured and the recorder of the town.  

 

            9‑706.