LOCAL LAW NO. 1-2024 A LOCAL LAW AMENDING LOCAL LAW 5-2023 “TAXICABS AND VEHICLES FOR HIRE LICENSING LAW OF THE TOWN OF RAMAPO” OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF RAMAPO
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo adopted the following local law at a regular meeting held on the 28th day of February, 2024 at the Ramapo Town Hall, 237 Route 59, Suffern, New York:
LOCAL LAW NO. 1-2024
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING LOCAL LAW 5-2023 “TAXICABS AND VEHICLES FOR HIRE LICENSING LAW OF THE TOWN OF RAMAPO”
OF THE TOWN CODE OF THE TOWN OF RAMAPO
Be It Enacted by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo:
Section 1. Legislative Intent
Amendments to Local Law 5-2023 “Taxicabs and Vehicles for Hire
Licensing Law of the Town of Ramapo” of the Town Code of the Town of Ramapo are being proposed to provide clarity with respect to required equipment, violations and appearances before the Taxi Commission.
Section 2. Amend Section 5. Taxicab Operating License Fees is amended to read as follows:
A, The fee for each taxicab license and the fee for the annual renewal thereof shall be in accordance with the Standard Schedule of Fees of the Town of Ramapo. The Town Clerk reserves the right to require fees, including fees for background checks, to be paid by certified check or money order.
Section 3. Amend Section 9. Inspection and Reinspection of Vehicles: Inspection Stickers is amended to read as follows:
- A taxicab or vehicle for hire exterior and interior shall be kept in a clean and good condition, and all parts of the taxicab and vehicle for hire shall be in good working order and safe condition as evidenced by the display of a duly issued and valid New York State inspection Certificate.
- The taxicab or vehicle for hire shall be inspected as to its exterior and interior condition prior to issuance and renewal.
- The taxicab or vehicle for hire shall have a valid New York State Inspection Sticker displayed in accordance with the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
- The following items on each vehicle shall be inspected prior to the issuance of a license or renewal license:
(1) Condition of paint on the vehicle.
(2) Body of the vehicle, including rust conditions.
(3) Lettering of said vehicle.
(4) Interior lights.
(5) Illuminated dome light which shall illuminate the word “taxi”.
(6) Cleanliness and transparency of windows and glass. Windows shall not have
any after-market or non-factory installed tinting.
(7) All vehicles shall have a solid material (ex: Plexiglass) divider between the front and back seats spanning the entire width of the divide.
(8) any other items that the inspector shall deem necessary and proper.
- The requirements of this Section 9 shall remain in effect for the entire term of the License. The Town reserves the right to reinspect any licensed vehicle during the term of the License to ensure continued compliance with the requirements of this section. Violations of this Section 9 will subject the Owner and/or Operator to fines and penalties as set forth in Section 27 (B).
Section 4. Amend Section 27. Penalties for Offenses; Enforcement is amended to read as follows:
- An appearance ticket shall be issued for a violation of any section of this chapter and shall be returnable before a Justice of the Town of Ramapo Justice Court. In person appearances shall be required. Any person issued an appearance ticket shall also appear before the Taxi Commission at the next scheduled Taxi Commission meeting following the return date.
- A taxicab owner operator or taxicab driver, while licensed hereunder, who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon a guilty plea or a conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisonment not exceeding fifteen (15) days, or by both for the first violation, and by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisonment not exceeding fifteen (15) days or both for a second or any subsequent violation. Each and every day such violation exists constitutes a separate and distinct violation.
- Any person who violates Section 4-15-3 shall upon a guilty plea or conviction be punished by a fine of up to twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500) or imprisonment not exceeding (15) days or by both.
Section 5. Effective Date
This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Dated: Suffern, New York,
March 4, 2024
SHARON OSHEROVITZ
Town Clerk