§ 32-9. Inspection of taxicabs.

(a)

The chief of police or his designee shall have the right to inspect all taxicabs permitted or to be permitted under this section to determine if such vehicles meet the following minimum standards:

(1)

Each vehicle shall be equipped with a fire extinguisher that has a fire extinguisher tag evidencing that the extinguisher was inspected by a fire extinguisher service during the thirty-day period immediately preceding the application or renewal of such application for a taxicab permit;

(2)

Each vehicle shall be free from dirt or rubbish and shall be otherwise clean and sanitary;

(3)

The vehicle identification number and vehicle permit number shall be compared to the numbers listed on the taxicab permit application for accuracy;

(4)

Each vehicle shall have the proper lettering painted on the door as required by this section;

(5)

Each vehicle shall display a valid and current vehicle inspection sticker authorized by the State of Texas;

(6)

Each vehicle shall be equipped with an air conditioner that is in good working order and shall have windshields that are free from cracks; and

(7)

Each vehicle shall be equipped with a taximeter and shall have a certificate of calibration showing that such taximeter was calibrated within the thirty-day period immediately preceding the application or renewal of such application for a taxicab permit and that the taximeter is in good working order.

(b)

The chief of police or his designee shall forward his findings to the city secretary prior to the issuance or transfer of a taxicab permit so that a determination can be made by the city secretary that all inspection requirements have been met.

(c)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person driving a taxicab upon the streets of the city shall not be deemed to be in violation of this section if such person has been issued and holds a valid vehicle permit from the City of Houston.

(d)

At no time shall any taxicab that is found to be unsafe by the chief of police or his designee be operated over the streets of the city. Nothing in this section, however, shall prevent the city from inspecting any taxicab at any time and if the city, through its agents, servants or employees, finds that any taxicab is in a defective condition, the chief of police or his designee shall order the use of the taxicab discontinued until the taxicab is reinspected and approved.

(Ord. No. 543-8, § 1, 7-22-13)