Chapter 8.52
REGULATION OF INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF INTRUSION ALARMS
Sections:
8.52.020 Installation Requirements – Sign.
8.52.025 Alarm Application and Operation Fee.
8.52.030 Notification of Installation.
8.52.040 Audible Alarm Time Limits – Reset.
8.52.010 Definitions.
A “security alarm device” is any system which, when activated, sounds an audible siren, horn, bell, or other sound-producing device from the interior or exterior of any privately owned structure within the corporate boundaries of the City or any device which gives an electronic signal to a telephone answering service or any attachment to a telephone which automatically reproduces recorded messages to alert public safety services or any other person or entity to an emergency. The term “security alarm device” as used in this chapter does not include the installation and operation of any approved system connected by lease line directly to the silent alarm monitoring equipment located at the Police Department of the City. (Ord. 81-18 § 1, 1981; Code 1975 § 699.90).
8.52.020 Installation Requirements – Sign.
Security alarm devices shall meet all Uniform Building Code and Uniform Fire Code requirements and be Underwriter Listed, whether installed by a private owner or a licensed alarm service. An identification sign shall be affixed on or near the main entrance to a structure in which a security alarm device is installed. The sign shall state the name, address and telephone number of the company, person or agency to be contacted in the event of alarm activation. The sign shall comply with the requirements for alarm device signs found in CMC 17.36.070. (Ord. 81-18 § 1, 1981; Code 1975 § 699.91).
8.52.025 Alarm Application and Operation Fee.
The owner, representative of the owner, or person installing a security alarm device shall, prior to installation of such device, pay an alarm application and operation fee for the alarm system. Said fee shall be established by resolution of the City Council, which may be amended from time to time. (Ord. 93-15 § 1, 1993).
8.52.030 Notification of Installation.
The owner, representative of the owner, or person installing a security alarm device shall, at the time of obtaining an alarm application and payment of operation fee, notify the Police Department in writing of:
A. The full name, address and telephone number of the owner of the structure alarmed;
B. The full name, address and telephone number of the person or entity causing the security alarm device to be installed;
C. The exact location of the premises alarmed;
D. Telephone number and at least one alternative telephone number to be called in the event of an emergency, along with the names or name of responsible persons with authority to act on behalf of the alarm owner;
E. The name, address and telephone number of the alarm company; and
F. The type of alarm. For example: burglar, holdup, audible, telephone answering service, etc. (Ord. 93-15 § 1, 1993; Ord. 81-18 § 1, 1981; Code 1975 § 699.92).
8.52.040 Audible Alarm Time Limits – Reset.
Any audible exterior alarm shall automatically reset to the silent mode after being activated for a period not to exceed five minutes. The Chief of Police, at her/his sole discretion, may issue a written permit authorizing an audible exterior alarm to remain in the active mode for a specified period of time longer than five minutes upon a showing of circumstances unique to the alarmed structure which make it reasonable to allow a longer period of time. When considering a request for a permit to allow a longer period of time, the Chief of Police shall take into consideration the distance from other structures, the density of the vegetation around the structure, the loudness of the alarm, the number of inhabited structures in the neighborhood and any other factors. An audible exterior alarm which remains in the active mode for longer than five minutes or longer than the time specified in a permit issued by the Chief of Police is declared to be a public nuisance which may be summarily abated after a hearing by the Planning Commission and the expense of the abatement shall become a lien against the real property on which the alarm is maintained and a personal obligation against the owner of the real property and against the owner of the security alarm device. (Ord. 81-18 § 1, 1981; Code 1975 § 699.93).
8.52.050 False Alarm Charges.
Should the Police Department respond to a security alarm device which goes off or otherwise signals an emergency due to lack of care in the operation of such device by the owner or representative of the owner, a false alarm charge shall be payable by the owner of the security alarm device to the City, the amount of which false alarm charge shall be set from time to time by resolution of the City Council. Alarms activated by mechanical malfunction, line equipment problems or other causes not the fault of the owner shall not be subject to false alarm charges. (Ord. 81-18 § 1, 1981; Code 1975 § 699.94).