(A) (1) Prior to the issuance of a certificate of convenience and necessity and from time to time thereafter, and the Chief of Police or his or her designee shall require evidence of an inspection or cause to be made an inspection of vehicles for hire licensed under this subchapter. Evidence of the inspection of a motor vehicle shall be in the form of a copy of a safety inspection certificate completed by a certified state inspection station. Such certificate shall be provided at the time of and prior to the issuance or renewal of a license.
(2) All vehicles for hire shall:
(a) Have and maintain properly functioning road lamps, tail lights, directional signals, brakes and rearview mirrors;
(b) Be maintained in a safe mechanical condition with all safety equipment remaining intact and operative at all times when the vehicle is in service;
(c) Be maintained in a clean, litter-free and sanitary condition. The exterior of a vehicle shall be washed at least weekly. The interior of a vehicle shall be vacuumed and cleaned at least weekly. All upholstery shall be maintained so it is free of tears, stains, dirt and trash;
(d) Be not more than ten years old and/or mileage exceeding 250,000 miles unless that vehicle is declared a unique vehicle. Vehicles currently in service that exceed ten years in age and/or 250,000 miles in mileage must be approved on an annual basis by the Chief of Police or his or her designee;
(e) Be free of significant rust, dents, scratches, chips and abrasions;
(f) Have a properly maintained exhaust system; and
(g) Be free of broken or cracked windows or mirrors.
(B) The operator shall every week inspect every vehicle he or she operates for compliance with this section. If after issuance of a license, any vehicle for hire shall be found by the Chief of Police or his or her designee not to comply with the requirements of this section or to be unsafe or unfit for operation, notice shall be given to the holder of the operator’s license, and such vehicle shall not thereafter be operated as a vehicle for hire until it has been put in a safe condition for such operation and in compliance with this section. Nothing herein shall be construed to relieve any owner or operator of any vehicle from all or any duties imposed by law nor relieve such owner or operator from liability resulting from the unfitness of such vehicle or the negligent operation thereof.
(Ord. passed 12-1-2009) Penalty, see § 113.99