Regulations and notices

Regulations

King County and the City of Seattle partner to regulate the for-hire industry under an interlocal agreement.

King County manages all for-hire driver licensing functions for both jurisdictions. Seattle manages all for-hire vehicle licensing functions for both jurisdictions. Regulations across the two jurisdictions vary slightly.

More detailed information is available online:

• King County Code
• County regulations
• City of Seattle Municipal Code
• Seattle regulations
• Wheelchair accessible vehicles
• Regulatory fees

Public Rules

Notice of proposed administrative rulemaking

The acting director of the City of Seattle’s Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) and the director of King County’s Department of Executive Services (DES), acting under the authority of Seattle Municipal Code chapter 3.02; chapter 6.310, section 6.310.140; and chapter 6.311, section 6.311.470; and King County Code chapter 2.98; chapter 6.64, section 6.64.021; and chapter 6.65, section 6.65.470, respectively, propose adopting three rules related to for-hire passenger transportation.

Two rules have been significantly revised based on public comment received between July 26 and August 16, 2024:

• Fares and Rates for Taxicabs and For-Hire Vehicles
• Leasing a Taxicab or For-Hire Vehicle

One rules is new:

• Regional For-Hire Driver's License Training Requirements 

The City of Seattle and King County are seeking public comments on the draft rules. Comments may be provided on this comment form by email to FAST@kingcounty.gov or by regular mail and must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, September 27, 2024.

Rulemaking in progress

The following eight rules were proposed for adoption and the comment period for them ended Aug. 16, 2024. This document contains the full content of each rule and the titles of the rules are:

1. Fares and Rates for Taxicabs and For-Hire Vehicles
2. Application Dispatch Systems for Regional Dispatch Agencies
3. Applications Dispatch Systems for Transportation Network Companies
4. Vehicle Size and Fuel Type
5. Leasing a Taxicab or For-Hire Vehicle Medallion
6. Leasing a Taxicab or For-Hire Vehicle
7. Collection of the Wheelchair Accessible Services Surcharge for Taxicabs and For-Hire Vehicles
8. Collection of the Wheelchair Accessible Services Surcharge for Transportation Network Companies

Recently adopted rules

• Vehicle safety inspections for taxicabs and for-hire vehicles
• Splitting dual medallions
• Temporary deactivation of medallions
• Vehicle color schemes and markings
• Taximeters and smart taximeters
• Reimbursements from the Wheelchair Accessible Services Fund - taxicabs and for-hire vehicles
• Reimbursements from the Wheelchair Accessible Services Fund - TNC vehicles
• Evidence of vehicle insurance and suspension of insurance requirements

Legislation

The King County Council (County and Seattle City Council (City) each adopted three ordinances related to for-hire transportation in the past year, including:

The first ordinance amends existing City and County law to effectively remove taxicab and for-hire vehicle owners, drivers, and companies from the code, leaving in place the existing regulations on TNCs.

The second ordinance establishes a new chapter, in City and County codes respectively, focused on the taxicab and for-hire vehicle industries to ease and streamline regulations.

The third ordinance authorizes an updated Interlocal Agreement for the City and County to jointly regulate and enforce SMC 6.310, SMC 6.311, KCC 6.64, and KCC 6.65.

In addition, the King County Council also adopted an ordinance to update interlocal agreements with public agencies for for-hire transportation regulatory services.

This summary of core policy changes provides an overview of the major changes in the ordinances. If you have any questions, please email them to FAST@kingcounty.gov.