(a) It shall be unlawful for a taxicab operator to operate a taxicab unless the taxicab has passed an initial inspection either by the Issuing Officer or another person approved by the Issuing Officer. The inspection may include but not be limited to the taxicab operating conditions listed in this chapter and any other conditions the Issuing Officer reasonably determines a taxicab must comply with to operate safely. If the taxicab passes the initial inspection the Issuing Officer shall issue a taxicab permit for one year.
(b) After passing the initial inspection a taxicab shall pass an annual inspection to satisfy the same conditions required by the initial inspection. It shall be unlawful for a taxicab operator to operate a taxicab that has not passed its annual inspection and been issued an annual permit.
(c) If the Issuing Officer is satisfied that a taxicab has passed an inspection required by this section the Issuing Officer shall issue an annual taxicab permit and affix a medallion on the vehicle authorizing the operator to place the taxicab in service for one year.
(d) It shall be unlawful for any person other than the Issuing Officer or his designee to place a medallion on or remove a medallion from a taxicab. It shall also be unlawful to tamper with or alter a medallion.
(e) The absence of a medallion on a taxicab that complies with paragraph (c) above shall be prima facie evidence in a proceeding to suspend or revoke a taxicab operator's license for operating a taxicab without a valid medallion.
(Amended by Ord. No. 5931 (N.S.), effective 11-18-80; Ord. No. 5938 (N.S.), adopted 11-25-80, effective 12-25-80, supersedes Ord. No. 5931; amended by Ord. No. 7309 (N.S.), effective 7-2-87; amended by Ord. No. 9889 (N.S.), effective 10-26-07; amended by Ord. No. 10312 (N.S.), effective 2-6-14)