(A) Inspections. Prior to the operation of any taxicab under this section and prior to the issuance of a vehicle license, the taxicab shall be thoroughly examined and inspected by the Bureau of Weights and Measures and found to be in good operating condition, clean/free of rust and body damage, and in compliance with the requirements of this section. Each taxicab must be equipped with the following driver protection and safety features, all of which shall be in conformance with specifications adopted by the Board of Public Works:
(1) A system enabling the silent activation of a distress or trouble signal by the driver; and
(2) Signs or decals affixed to the taxicab advising the public that the driver carries no more than a certain sum in change. The sum specified shall be between $5 and $50. The equipment required by this section shall be maintained in good working order at all times. The taxicab license for any taxicab in violation of this section shall be subject to immediate suspension, and such vehicle shall be subject to impoundment as provided hereafter. Members of the Police Department, the Department of Code Enforcement, or persons with special police commissions issued by the Board of Public Safety may conduct unannounced inspections of taxicabs in order to ensure compliance with this section's provisions, and shall report any noncompliance to the Clerk-Treasurer.
(B) License issuance upon compliance. When the Bureau of Weights and Measures finds that a taxicab is in good operating condition, is in compliance with the requirements of this section, and has met the standards established by this section, the Clerk-Treasurer shall issue a taxicab license to the owner or driver of the taxicab. The license shall state the authorized seating capacity of the vehicle.
(C) Periodic inspections. Every taxicab operating under this section shall be periodically inspected by the Bureau of Weights and Measures at such intervals as necessary to ensure the maintenance of good operating conditions. In addition no license or renewal of license shall be issued for any vehicle unless it has passed Bureau of Weights and Measures inspections within 60 days prior to such issuance or renewal. The scheduling of inspections is the responsibility of the taxicab company. Every taxicab must be inspected at least once every six months. The owner is responsible for having the taxicab reinspected by the Bureau of Weights and Measures. Taxicabs which fail to pass inspection or for which a scheduled inspection is missed will be subject to a $25 reinspection fee, which will be due at the time of reinspection and made payable to the Bureau of Weights and Measures.
(1) Cleanliness. Every taxicab operating under this section shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition inside the passenger area and trunk and outside the taxicab. The interior of the taxicab must be free of debris and loose dirt and foul odors. The upholstery must be free of grease, food, ashes, dirt, and stains, and not ripped or torn.
(2) Body and operating condition. Taxicabs must be free from mechanical defects, rust and body damage. All taxicabs that have any body damage, mechanical disrepair, or other damage or defects must be repaired in a skilled and professional manner before being licensed or operated as taxicabs within the city. Vans and sport utility vehicles used as taxicabs must be equipped with a running board or step to assist passengers entering and exiting the taxicabs.
(3) Top lights. Every taxicab operating under this section shall have a top light permanently affixed, which indicates that the vehicle is a taxicab. The top light must be in good working order and must be uluminated between sundown and sunup each day while it is in operation.
(4) Exhaust system. Every taxicab must be equipped with a muffler in good working condition. The engine and power mechanism of every taxicab shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent escape of excessive fumes, smoke or noise.
(5) Brakes. Every taxicab must be equipped with service brakes upon all wheels. The brakes must be adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold such taxicab, including two separate means of applying the brakes. All brakes shall be maintained in good working order and shall be so adjusted as to operate as practicable as with respect to the wheels on the opposite sides of the taxicab.
(6) Bumpers. Every taxicab must be equipped with bumpers. Bumper covers must be complete and not ripped or torn.
(7) Horn. Every taxicab must be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet, but no horn shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh whistle.
(8) Headlights and taillights. Every taxicab must be equipped with at least two tail lamps mounted on the rear which when lighted shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. The lamps must be located at a height of not more than 72 or less than 20 inches. In addition, either a tail lamp or a separate lamp must be placed so as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate of the taxicab. Lenses must not be cracked or broken.
(9) Reflectors. Every taxicab must have on the rear, either as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two red reflectors which must be mounted at a height of not less than 20 inches or more than 60 inches from level ground.
(10) Stop lamps. Every taxicab must be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the taxicab which shall display a red light and which shall be activated upon application of the foot brake. Such lamps shall be in operable condition.
(11) Turn and hazard signals. Every taxicab must be equipped with lamps or mechanical signal devices on the foot and rear for the purpose of indicating an intention to turn either to the right or the left. Both front and rear lamps must flash the intended turning direction of the taxicab and must be in good working condition. Four-way hazard flashers must also be operable.
(12) Mirrors. Every taxicab must be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the roadway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the taxicab. Lenses must not be cracked or broken.
(13) Seat belts. Every taxicab must be equipped with seat belts for the driver and for each of the passengers. These belts must be in good repair and available in plain view for passenger use.
(14) Tires. All tires on the taxicab must have rubber on the entire traction surface at least 3/32 inch thick above the wear out strips on the entire periphery.
(15) Windows. All windshields and windows in every taxicab must be free of cracks, breaks or chips. No signs may be placed on a taxicab windshield except nontransparent ones which are no larger than four inches square. Such signs may be placed on the windows in the lower corner furthest from the driver’s position. No advertisements may be placed on windows or windshields.
(16) Windshield wipers. Every taxicab must be equipped with windshield wipers controlled by the driver. Every windshield wiper must be maintained in good working order.
(17) Company association. Every taxicab must be associated with a company licensed under this section and the company operator shall be responsible for avoiding the transfer of taxicabs from one company to another or the addition or deletion of taxicabs available to the company without prior inspection and approval, and for avoiding lapses in the insurance and standards required by this section.
(18) Taxicab complying with definition. Every taxicab shall comply with the definition of a taxicab set forth in this section, including the seating capacity, in order to operate for hire.
(19) Noncompliance. Any taxicab which fails to meet the standards required by this section must be taken out of service and not operated until is it reinspected and passes inspection. The taxicab owner must return the city-issued taxicab plates to the Clerk-Treasurer immediately upon taking the vehicle out of service. It is the taxicab owner’s responsibility to stay compliant with the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office.
(Ord. 24-2016, passed 11-21-16)