It shall be unlawful to operate a taxicab unless its taximeter has been inspected by the city on an annual basis and the associated annual vehicle permit fee has been paid.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
All vehicle taximeter inspections expire on December 31 of the year in which they were issued.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
(a)
A person may not represent that a vehicle is a taxicab if the vehicle is not, in fact, a taxicab operated by a franchise holder authorized by the city via a franchise granted under this chapter.
(b)
A person may not drive a vehicle in the city that is not a taxicab if the vehicle is marked, painted, or equipped in a way that is likely to result in mistaking the vehicle for a taxicab.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
(a)
Each franchise holder shall provide the director with a copy of the state-issued vehicle registration for each taxicab that the franchise holder wishes to operate.
(b)
If, upon inspection, the taxicab inspector determines that a taxicab’s meter is not working properly, the director may order the taxicab to be removed from service.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
In addition to other equipment required by this chapter, a franchise holder, owner, or driver shall provide and maintain in good operating condition the following equipment for each taxicab:
(1)
Seat belts for each passenger, the number of which is determined by the designed seating capacity of the taxicab;
(2)
Heater and air conditioner;
(3)
Rates of fare cards or stickers; and
(4)
Taximeter.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
Lettering and signs on taxicabs may be of adhesive decal or letters as approved by the director. If painted, they shall be in enamel or oil paint that will weather the elements and they shall be kept legible at all times. The lettering on all taxicabs owned or controlled by the same franchise holder shall be the same wording, color, size letters and at the same place on each taxicab for such service.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
A franchise holder shall cause each taxicab operating under its authority to be provided with the following uniform vehicle identification:
(1)
Every taxicab shall have stenciled or painted on the door of the cab the name of the owner or the assumed name under which the owner operates, together with the company’s telephone number and the cab number.
(2)
The number of the cab and the owner or the assumed name under which the owner operates shall be stenciled or painted upon the rear of any such vehicle. All such lettering shall not be less than 3 inches in height and not less than 5/16- inch stroke, with such stencil or paint as will weather the elements. Such lettering, stencil and/or paint must be kept legible at all times.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
(a)
Every taxicab must have a display receptacle approved by the director securely affixed to a conspicuous place on the dashboard, as well as placed in a conspicuous location in the backseat. A display receptacle shall be at least 6¼ inches by ten inches in area, constructed of a rigid material, and designed to accommodate the following information in accordance with the required dimensions:
(1)
At least a two-inch by two-inch colored passport-quality photograph of the driver, with the driver’s name as it appears on the driver’s state driver’s license and the taxicab driver’s license number placed under the photograph in block letters and numbers not less than 3/16- inch high with at least a 1/16- inch stroke, must be laminated as a single unit not less than 2¼ inches by 3½ inches.
(2)
The franchisee’s full, legal name and trade name, address of the franchisee’s primary facility, and the franchisee’s 24-hour phone number in block letters not less than one-half-inch high with at least a one-eighth-inch stroke, with the taxicab number placed under it in block numbers and letters not less than three-quarter-inch high with at least a 3/16- inch stroke, must be laminated as a single unit not less than three inches by 2½ inches.
(3)
Taxi rates in block numbers at least 9/16- inch high with at least a 3/16- inch stroke and in block letters at least 1/8- inch high with at least a 1/32- inch stroke must be laminated as a single unit not less than 6½ by six inches.
(4)
The city’s website and information promulgated by the director providing an alternative location for complaints to be submitted concerning taxicab service.
(b)
A franchise holder or driver of a taxicab commits an offense if he operates or allows operation of a taxicab that is equipped with:
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
Whenever a vehicle is removed from service or is no longer authorized to operate as a taxicab, the franchise holder, owner, or driver shall remove from the vehicle all taxicab signs, markings, and equipment that would distinguish the vehicle as a taxicab, including, but not limited to, radios, top lights, meters, and vehicle permits.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
The director and his delegates, to include the taxicab inspector, may inspect a taxicab service operating under this chapter to determine whether the service complies with this chapter, regulations established under this chapter, or other applicable law.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
Whenever a franchise holder’s operating authority or a taxicab driver’s license is suspended, revoked, or denied or whenever a vehicle fails to pass inspection as a taxicab, the director may remove or require the surrender of all evidence of authorization as a franchise holder, taxicab driver, or taxicab, including, but not limited to, removal or surrender of operating authority, licenses, vehicle permits, signs, insignia, radios, top lights, and meters if applicable.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)
Officers of the Police Department shall assist in the enforcement of this chapter. A police officer, upon observing a violation of this chapter or the regulations established by the director, shall take necessary enforcement action to ensure effective regulations of taxicab service.
(Ordinance 46-2016, sec. 1, adopted 11/1/16)