Chapter 8.44
PRIVATE ALARM SYSTEMS
Sections:
8.44.020 Alarm system permits required.
8.44.025 Alarm system permit applications.
8.44.030 Exemptions and exclusions.
8.44.040 Alarm system permits – Fees.
8.44.050 Alarm system requirements.
8.44.070 False alarms – Service charges.
8.44.010 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:
“Alarm system” means any mechanical or electrical device which is designed or used for the detection of an unauthorized entry into a building, structure, or facility or for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act within a building, structure, or facility, or both and which system emits a sound or transmits a signal or message when activated. “Alarm system” includes, but is not limited to, silent alarms and audible alarms. Auxiliary devices installed by the telephone company to protect telephone company systems which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system shall not be included in this definition.
“Audible alarm” means a device designed for the detection of an unauthorized entry on premises which alarm generates an audible sound on the premises when it is activated.
“Chief of police” means the chief or his designee.
“False alarm” means any alarm activated for reasons not of an emergency nature or due to the malfunction of any segment of the alarm system and which may result in a response by the police department where an emergency situation does not exist. “False alarm” also means the use of an alarm for purposes other than that for which it was installed.
“Proprietor alarm” means an alarm system which does not request a public response when activated or is not reasonably expected to result in some public response.
“Silent alarm” means a device designed for the detection of an unauthorized entry on premises which alarm does not generate an audible sound on the premises when it is activated but transmits a signal directly to the police or alarm business. (Ord. 1504 § 2, 1996; prior code § 3-6.01)
8.44.020 Alarm system permits required.
A. No person shall have installed on any premises under his control an alarm system without first applying for and receiving an alarm system permit therefor in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
B. For any alarm system in operation on the effective date of the ordinance amending this Section 8.44.020, no person shall maintain or operate any alarm system unless such person shall have secured the required alarm system permit in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 1504 § 3, 1996: prior code § 3-6.02)
8.44.025 Alarm system permit applications.
Subscribers and owners or users of alarm systems shall file annual applications for alarm permits with the city through the business license department or police department. Alarm businesses may procure and process initial applications for their subscribers.
Applications shall contain the following information:
A. Name, address and telephone number (both home and work) of the applicant;
B. Identification of the location where the alarm is or will be installed;
C. Identification of the alarm business monitoring, or rendering service or repairs, to the alarm system;
D. Description of the alarm system by manufacturer, model and type;
E. Names and telephone numbers of persons to be notified to render repairs for service and secure the premises during any hours of the day or night the alarm system is activated. It shall be the responsibility of every person maintaining an alarm system to ensure that the names and telephone numbers are kept current;
F. Such other information as the chief of police deems necessary to evaluate and act upon the permit application. (Ord. 1664 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1504 § 4, 1996)
8.44.026 Permit issuance.
The chief of police shall review permit applications to ensure that the alarm system meets the requirements of this chapter. Upon approval, the permits shall be issued to the person owning, leasing, renting or otherwise possessing the alarm system. (Ord. 1504 § 5, 1996)
8.44.030 Exemptions and exclusions.
The provisions of this chapter shall not be applicable to products of combustion detection systems, flow alarm systems, proprietor alarms, audible alarms affixed to motor vehicles, or to a public telephone utility whose only duty is to furnish telephone service pursuant to tariffs on file with the Public Utilities Commission of the state. (Prior code § 3-6.03)
8.44.040 Alarm system permits – Fees.
A. The fee for an alarm system permit shall be an annual fee as specified by resolution of the city council.
B. A late fee, as specified by resolution of the city council, in addition to the permit fee, will be imposed for those permits not obtained within sixty days of installation or for those alarm systems already installed and not permitted by annually by March 1 of the current year.
C. Alarm system permit applicants submitting permit applications from January 1 through August 31 shall pay the established annual fee for that current year. Alarm system permit applicants submitting permit applications from September 1 through December 31 shall pay the established annual fee, which payment shall apply to the remainder of that current year and the following year. (Ord. 1664 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1504 § 6, 1996: prior code § 3-6.04)
8.44.050 Alarm system requirements.
A. No person shall have installed an audible alarm system which creates a sound similar to that of an emergency vehicle siren or a civil defense warning system.
B. No person shall install an audible alarm system which does not automatically discontinue emitting an audible sound within one-half hour after it is activated. (Ord. 1504 § 7, 1996: prior code § 3-6.05)
8.44.060 False alarms.
A person shall not knowingly turn in or activate a false alarm. This section shall not prohibit a test of an alarm system as permitted in advance by the police department. Activation of audible alarm systems for one second or less shall not be considered false alarms. (Ord. 1664 § 3, 2004; prior code § 3-6.06)
8.44.070 False alarms – Service charges.
Any alarm system placed in a residential, commercial or industrial premises which has four or more false alarms shall be subject to payment of administrative fines as specified by resolution of the city council. The fines shall be imposed in accordance with Chapter 1.20 of this code. (Ord. 1504 § 8, 1996: prior code § 3-6.07)
8.44.080 Malfunction repairs.
After any false alarm caused by a malfunction of the alarm system, an alarm system permittee shall cause the alarm system to be repaired so as to eliminate such malfunction before reactivating the alarm. A person shall not reactivate such alarm until such repairs have been made. (Prior code § 3-6.08)
8.44.100 Violation – Penalty.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 1504 § 10, 1996: prior code § 3-6.10)