(a) For each truck or other vehicle used in the collection or transportation of solid waste by a licensee there shall be issued a registration card by the director which shall contain the name of the owner, the description and serial number of the truck or vehicle, and a registration number. The requirements of this section shall apply to vehicles owned and operated by persons under contract with the county to provide similar services to county residents. For each card there shall be furnished a metal solid waste collector's or hauler's tag containing the registration number and the year such tag is valid. Such tags shall be attached to the truck or vehicle in such a manner as to be readily visible and shall not be transferred to another truck without prior written approval by the director.
(b) No truck or other vehicle shall be registered until it has been inspected and found to be equipped with a suitable watertight, leakproof, metal body designed for the collection of solid waste and to have a suitable tightly fitting cover of metal or canvas to prevent the blowing of solid waste, which cover shall be in place at all times, except when loading or unloading. The body shall be so mounted on the chassis that when fully loaded, the axle load shall fall within the maximum axle load limit prescribed by law; except that an open metal body truck with a tightly fitting cover of metal or canvas may be used for hauling only building materials, trees or parts of trees, rubble, abandoned vehicles, machinery, appliances, and nonincinerable material; and except that an open flat-body vehicle having a suitable tarpaulin or canvas cover, which shall be in place at all times, except when loading or unloading, may be used for transporting solid waste firmly sealed and secured in cardboard boxes or plastic bags. The body shall be enclosed steel, packer type, watertight, leakproof, readily cleanable and sanitary and so mounted on the chassis so that when fully loaded the axle load shall fall within the maximum axle load limit prescribed by law; provided further, that a licensed collector or hauler may apply for a special license for an open body truck (equipped with a suitable watertight, leakproof, metal body designed for the collection of solid waste and having a suitable tightly fitting cover of metal or canvas to prevent the blowing of solid waste, which cover shall be in place at all times except when loading or unloading), for use only on special routes, designated in the license, on public or private streets, roads or rights-of-way, where the height, weight, length or width of packer-type solid waste collection vehicles makes their use contrary to law, or a danger to public or private property or human life or safety.
(c) Each truck or vehicle shall be lettered in letters plainly distinguishable and not less than three (3) inches high, in permanent paint or decals on each of the two (2) sides of the truck or vehicle, which lettering shall include the name of the company or individual by whom the truck or vehicle is owned or operated. On trucks or vehicles operated by licensed collectors, the words "solid waste" and the business telephone number shall also be displayed. Following the effective date of this chapter, licensed collectors shall have until June 1, 1982, to change the word "Refuse" to the words "Solid Waste." A licensee's detachable solid waste containers shall be conspicuously marked with the licensee's name and telephone number.
(d) Any truck or vehicle found to be in an unsafe physical, mechanical or sanitary condition shall have its registration suspended; provided, however, that the director may grant one (1) grace period not to exceed fifteen (15) days in which to correct such condition or defect. The director shall reinstate any suspended registration upon satisfactory proof that the aforesaid conditions or defects have been corrected. (1981 L.M.C., ch. 37, § 1.)