§ 5.80.320. Vehicle maintenance—Markings, safety and inspections.

A.

Taxicab Color Scheme—Approval.

1.

A unique and characteristic color scheme approved by the city shall be used by each business owner operating taxicabs in the city to distinguish all of the vehicles for hire such owner operates. Such color scheme shall not be used by any other business owner.

2.

No change whatever in the color scheme or distinguishing characteristics of any taxicab shall be made without prior written permission of the city.

B.

Taxicab Markings. It is unlawful to operate a taxicab within the city that does not have printed or placed upon the rear door of the vehicle and on each side and rear deck of such vehicle for hire the name of the business owner. All such lettering shall be in letters not less than two and one-fourth inches in height and not less than five-sixteenths inches in stroke. In addition, the dome light markings shall read the same as the business owner's name or fictitious name written upon the rear doors and rear of the vehicle or only shall read, "Taxi." In addition, every vehicle for hire shall have printed or placed upon the exterior in conspicuous letters of the same color not less than three and one-half inches in height and not less than one-half inch stroke, of a color in contrast to the color of the vehicle for hire, the number of such vehicle for hire, which numbering shall be printed or placed in the following locations:

1.

On each side of the vehicle on the leading edge of the front door;

2.

On the left side of the outside rear of the vehicle.

C.

Illumination of Passenger Compartment. Every taxicab shall at all times be equipped with a light of not less than two candlepower within such vehicle, so arranged as to illuminate the entire passenger compartment, which light shall be kept constantly lighted at all times while any passengers are being loaded into or unloaded from any such vehicle for one-half hour after sunset of any day until one-half hour before sunrise of the next day, and no shades or blinds shall be drawn over the windows of any such vehicle while the same is occupied.

D.

Operation When in Unsafe or Unsanitary Condition Prohibited. It is unlawful to operate any taxicab while the same or any of the equipment used thereon or therewith shall be in a defective, unsafe or unsanitary condition.

E.

Inspection—Requirements For. Before a vehicle permit is issued to a taxicab business owner, each vehicle for which a vehicle permit is requested shall be delivered to a city-approved vehicle inspection station for inspection of such vehicle and its equipment to ascertain whether such vehicle and equipment comply with the provisions of this chapter. The city shall provide a list of approved vehicle inspection stations. Any vehicle that is found after such inspection to be unsafe or in any way unsuitable for service will not be issued a vehicle permit and immediately may be ordered out of service. Before a vehicle permit is issued, or the vehicle is again placed in service, it shall be placed in a safe and sanitary condition, inspected, and a completed inspection certificate filed with the city. Each vehicle to be operated shall be reinspected upon annual renewal of the vehicle permit. The interior and exterior of any vehicle shall be clean and well maintained as determined by the city and meet California Vehicle Code requirements and the requirements of this chapter at all times when in operation.

F.

Inspection Authorized When. The chief of police or his designee shall have the authority to enforce this chapter and shall have the right, to enter into or upon any permitted taxicab or vehicle for hire in the city for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not any of the provisions of this chapter are being violated. The scope of this inspection is limited to determining compliance with the requirements of this chapter and may be done without notice, warrant, or individualized suspicion of wrongdoing.

G.

Taximeter. Beginning January 1, 2011, no taxicab may be operated in the city unless said taxicab is equipped with a taximeter in good operating condition. No fare higher than what is recorded on the taximeter shall be charged. Every taximeter shall be installed at the center of the dashboard or console of the taxicab. The reading face of the taximeter shall at all times be well lighted and distinctly readable to the passengers within the taxicab.

H.

Air Conditioning. No taxicab may be operated in the city unless said taxicab is equipped with an air conditioner in good operating condition.

I.

Clean Condition. Taxicabs shall be maintained in a clean condition at all times.

(Ord. 1008 § 1 (part), 2003)

(Ord. No. 1091, § 9, 6-2-09)