All taxicabs shall submit to an annual inspection as required by the Regional Taxi Authority. All taxicabs shall possess all of the equipment listed on the Regional Taxi Authority Taxicab Safety Inspection Checklist, and all such equipment shall be in good working order and repair. The Authority shall establish the standard for good working order.

Upon satisfactory completion of such inspection, the Regional Taxi Authority shall issue and affix an approval decal or sticker to the taxicab that authorizes the operation of the vehicle for a one-year period. All decals issued by the Authority shall be displayed at the rear of the vehicle on the driver’s side rear window. It shall be unlawful to transfer the decal or sticker to any other vehicle, and no taxicab shall be operated without a valid decal or sticker properly displayed.

Any law enforcement officer shall have the right and shall be permitted at any time to inspect any taxicab to ascertain whether the provisions of this chapter are being met. During an inspection, the driver of the taxicab shall produce for inspection the following documents: (1) valid California vehicle registration, (2) valid proof of insurance document and (3) a valid California driver’s license.

The Regional Taxi Authority shall establish a taxicab safety inspection fee that shall be due annually upon inspection.

Any taxicab that fails any safety inspection shall be given an opportunity to make repairs or correct defects and be re-inspected. Any such cab failing an inspection shall be removed from service until such time as compliance is met. A safety inspection is “failed” if any law enforcement officer or Regional Taxi Authority or City designated mechanic determines the vehicle is not in compliance with the provisions of this chapter or any required inspection program established by the Authority, or if the taxicab is unsafe, unsanitary, or unsightly. Any such taxicab shall be removed from service until such conditions are corrected. Such vehicle shall be re-inspected prior to being returned to service.

Should a law enforcement officer or a Regional Taxi Authority employee determine that a taxi should be removed from service, such person is authorized to remove the decal or sticker designating that the taxi is authorized to operate. When the taxi has satisfactorily passed an inspection, a new decal or sticker will be issued by the Regional Taxi Authority and a nominal fee will be charged for the new decal or sticker. (Ord. 3450 § 1, 2010. Formerly 36-13)