§ 3.84.140. Taxicab vehicle standards.

Vehicles may be used as taxicabs provided such motor vehicles meet the following standards and requirements:

1.

The maximum average fleet age of taxicabs to be operated under any company license shall be eight years. The average fleet age shall be determined at the time of application for or renewal of taxicab company license each year and shall be calculated by adding the ages of all vehicles to be operated under the license and dividing the total by the total number of those vehicles. The age of each vehicle shall be determined by subtracting its model year from the current calendar year. Vehicles added to a fleet or replacing other fleet vehicles during a license year shall be no older than the maximum average fleet age allowed for the calendar year in which they are added or replaced.

2.

Any vehicle used as a taxicab shall be kept clean, of good appearance, in good repair, properly equipped and in a safe condition. All pollution control equipment and safety devices originally installed by the manufacturer shall also be maintained in good working order. To assure compliance, all such vehicles shall be submitted for inspections as specified in Section 3.84.150.

3.

Safety seat belts shall be provided for each passenger the vehicle is constructed to accommodate. Such seat belts shall at all times be maintained in a functional manner and be submitted for inspections as specified in Section 3.84.150.

4.

Doors must be provided which open directly into the area of the vehicle used for passenger seating. These doors must be easily opened from the inside by a passenger. For a nonvan type vehicle, a minimum of four doors must be provided. In addition for nonvan type vehicles, windows must also be easily opened from the inside.

5.

Every vehicle shall be equipped with sufficient nonglare headlights, proper rear lights and be capable of being properly heated in winter or during periods of cold weather and air-conditioned in summer or during periods of warm weather.

6.

Every vehicle shall be well painted and in the color scheme or manner specified in the taxicab company's license application.

7.

Every vehicle shall be equipped with a frame for the proper display of the vehicle permit, the taxicab driver's license, and a rate card.

8.

Every vehicle shall have plainly painted on each side of the vehicle and the rear of the vehicle, in letters at least two inches in height the name and telephone number of the company operating the taxicab. A number assigned by the company for identifying the vehicle shall also be painted in the same general locations with numerals at least four inches in height. No advertising which covers or obstructs the view of this information shall be allowed.

(Ord. No. 89-894 § 1; Ord. No. 49-278, § 16, 5-22-2012)