July 31, 2015
By TIFFANY REPECKI (trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
Taxi cabs and vehicles for hire will be required to comply with new regulations starting Saturday in order to operate and offer their services within Lee County.
County Ordinance 15-05, or the “Lee County Taxicab and Vehicle for Hire Ordinance,” includes criteria that is aimed at promoting safety on the roadways and ensuring protection for residents and visitors. The Lee County Tax Collector will manage all of the related applications and permitting.
District 2 Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass initiated the conversation among county officials nearly two years ago to try to consolidate the permitting and application processes for vehicles for hire.
“I saw the duplication of services and the redundancy,” he said Thursday, noting that the businesses were required to obtain permits or licenses from each of the municipalities where they operated. “What we’re trying to do is streamline the process for all – one county ordinance, and one county license.”
“They can then operate countywide,” Pendergrass said.
The city of Fort Myers, however, will still require separate permitting.
Under the amended ordinance, taxicab companies, transportation network companies and other vehicles for hire as an independent contractor must obtain a certificate to operate. Initial applications will require that vehicles have an ASE mechanical inspection, as well as on-site visual inspection.
Stickers will be issued for each vehicle and displayed on the front and rear windows.
The cost is $10 for the on-site vehicle inspection and renewal sticker.