Chapter 8.41
EMERGENCY KEY ACCESS SYSTEM
Sections:
8.41.030 Emergency key access system.
8.41.040 New and existing structures and communities.
8.41.010 Purpose and intent.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare by ensuring quick public safety access to properties in times of emergency. (Ord. 1540 § 1, 2020)
8.41.020 Definitions.
(A) “Key access system” means one or more UL listed boxes or key panel that provides access with a universal key or access code, that meets the requirements adopted by the Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department, respectively.
(B) “Security padlock” means a padlock approved by the Fire Chief and Sheriff’s Captain that utilizes the approved security key or access code adopted by the Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department, respectively. (Ord. 1540 § 1, 2020)
8.41.030 Emergency key access system.
The following structures and communities shall be equipped with a key access system at or near the main entrance, or at such other location as required by the Fire Chief or Sheriff’s Captain, that permits access to the location by both fire and law enforcement personnel:
(A) Commercial or industrial structures protected by an automatic alarm system or automatic suppression system, or such structures that are secured in a manner that restricts access during an emergency.
(B) Multifamily residential structures that have restricted access through locked doors and have a common corridor for access to the living units.
(C) Multifamily gated communities that have restricted access through locked gates and have a common corridor or corridors for access to the residences.
(D) Gated communities with single-family residential structures, multifamily residential structures, or both single-family and multifamily residential structures, with restricted access through locked gates.
(E) Governmental structures and nursing care facilities. (Ord. 1540 § 1, 2020)
8.41.040 New and existing structures and communities.
(A) All newly constructed structures and communities subject to this chapter shall have the key access system installed and operational prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit. All structures and communities in existence on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter and subject to this section shall have one year from the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter to have a key access system installed and operational.
(B) The Fire Chief and Sheriff’s Captain shall designate the type of key access system(s) to be implemented within the City and shall have the authority to require all applicable structures and multifamily communities to use the designated system.
(C) The key access systems shall be designed to provide separate access to the Fire Department and the Sheriff’s Department.
(D) The responsible party of a structure or community required to have the key access system shall, at all times, keep a key in the lock box that will allow for access to the structure or community.
(E) Governmental structures and multifamily gated communities that have restricted access through locked gates which use a padlock device for securing any gate or entrance may opt to use the approved security padlock device or install a key access system.
(F) All costs for the purchase, installation and maintenance of the key access system shall be carried by the responsible party.
(G) The Fire Chief and Sheriff’s Captain shall be authorized to implement rules and regulations for the use of the key access system. (Ord. 1540 § 1, 2020)
8.41.050 Penalties.
Any person or entity that owns, manages or operates a structure or community subject to this chapter in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and subject the offender to the penalties set forth in Chapter 1.12 PMC. (Ord. 1540 § 1, 2020)