A. Inspection.
1. Before a decal is issued or reissued to any owner for any taxicab, such owner shall deliver the taxicab to a place designated by the Chief of Police for inspection. The Chief of Police shall designate officers to inspect such taxicab, its equipment, and taximeter, to ascertain whether such taxicab complies with the provisions of this Chapter. Taxicabs shall be inspected at least annually and shall have been washed within twenty-four (24) hours preceding the inspection.
2. The overall appearance of the taxicab shall be such as to indicate that the taxicab is in good repair and maintenance. There shall be no broken or cracked glass. All doors, hoods and trunk lids shall latch properly and there shall be no gaps between doors and body in the closed position in excess of manufacturer's standards. There shall be no sheet metal damage in excess of twenty-five percent (25%) of the surface area on any of the following major components of the taxicab:
a. Doors.
b. Trunk.
c. Hood.
d. Roof.
e. Quarter panels.
f. Grill work.
g. Front and rear bumpers.
h. Fenders.
3. There shall be no chipped or peeling paint on the sheet metal body visible to the unaided eye in normal sunlight at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet.
B. Right of entry. Any police officer of the City shall have the right at any time after displaying proper identification to enter into or upon any taxicab for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not any of the provisions of this Chapter are being violated.
C. Unsafe or unsuitable vehicles. Any taxicab which is found to be unsafe or in any way unsuitable for taxicab service after inspection by a police officer, it shall be immediately ordered out of service by the Chief of Police and before again being placed in service shall be placed in a safe condition by the permittee and reinspected by the Police Department.
D. Sanitation. The interior of every taxicab shall be maintained in a clean condition at all times and shall be thoroughly cleaned at least once in every twenty-four (24) hours. There shall be no unrepaired rips in any of the upholstery including seats, carpeting, paneling, and head liner. Any repairs shall be finished in a workman-like manner. Door handles, arm rests, window cranks and all other interior accessory items shall be maintained in good repair. There shall be an operating interior light. The floor of the vehicle shall be covered with a clean automobile floor covering.
('65 Code, § 34-12(d)) (Ord. No. 83-020 § 1; Ord. No. 83-031 §§ 2-3; Ord. No. 84-003 § 1)