Lodi Municipal Code Art. V Maintenance and Inspection of Taxicabs

To ensure continued maintenance of safe operating conditions, taxicabs, and their equipment, operating or used pursuant to this chapter shall be inspected annually by a licensed automobile mechanic. The costs of inspections shall be paid by the vehicle owner. Proof of inspection shall be submitted annually with a renewal application and shall include a statement by a licensed automobile mechanic certifying that the vehicle is free of any defects or conditions identified in Section 5.24.280.

(Ord. No. 1930, § 1, 10-19-2016)

The chief of police, or any member of the police department under his/her direction, shall have the authority, at any time after displaying proper identification, to enter into or upon any taxicab for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not any of the provisions set forth herein are being violated.

(Ord. No. 1930, § 1, 10-19-2016)

It is unlawful and an infraction for the owner of any taxicab licensed pursuant to this chapter to maintain a taxicab in an unsafe or unsuitable condition. Any taxicab which is found to be unsafe or in any way unsuitable for taxicab service shall be immediately ordered out of service, and before again being placed in service, the owner shall provide evidence to the chief of police, or any member of the police department under his/her direction, that the vehicle is safe, and shall submit the vehicle to inspection.

(Ord. No. 1930, § 1, 10-19-2016)

For the purposes of this section, the existence of the following named things, but not to the exclusion of other things, shall be deemed to make a taxicab unsafe or unsuitable for taxicab service:

A. Excessive leakage of oil, grease, gas or any other substance from any part of the taxicab;

B. Defects in the frame or structural body of the taxicab;

C. The failure of any movable parts of the car, including doors, window, hoods, trunk, lights, etc., to function in the proper working order;

D. The failure to maintain the tires, lights, turning signals, or brakes in safe operating condition;

E. The failure to maintain the motor or other mechanical parts of the car in good and safe operating condition;

F. The failure to have an exhaust system properly installed and in good working condition that complies with state law;

G. Large or excessive dents or scratches in the body of the taxicab;

H. Improper maintenance of the exterior paint in the proper color scheme;

I. Excessive wear and tear on the upholstery, floor mats and other parts of the interior of the taxicab;

J. The failure to have adequate interior lighting in proper working condition; or

K. The excessive emission of odors such as tobacco/smoke products from the interior of the taxicab.

(Ord. No. 1930, § 1, 10-19-2016)

The interior of every taxicab in service shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.

(Ord. No. 1930, § 1, 10-19-2016)

The exterior of every taxicab in service shall be kept in a clean condition at all times.

(Ord. No. 1930, § 1, 10-19-2016)

Taxicabs in service shall be no older than seven years from the manufacture date indicated on the vehicle by the manufacturer.

(Ord. No. 1930, § 1, 10-19-2016)