Chapter 8.20
ALARM SYSTEMS
Sections:
8.20.020 General system requirements.
8.20.040 Permit application and issuance.
8.20.060 Training requirements.
8.20.070 Maintenance and repair responsibility.
8.20.090 Responsibility for alarm deactivation.
8.20.110 Grounds for revocation.
8.20.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
“Alarm system” means a device or system of interconnected devices, including hardware and related accessories, designed to give warning of a fire, burglary, robbery, medical emergency, or other hazardous conditions occurring on the protected premises, except residential smoke detectors which are not connected to a receiving panel at an alarm reception point and do not emit sound outside the residence or business.
“Alarm user” means any person, be it a natural person, firm, partnership, association, profit or nonprofit, public or private, in control of any protected premises wherein an alarm system is maintained.
“False alarm” means any activation of any alarm system which results in the dispatch of police, fire or emergency medical personnel to the protected premises where they are unable to discover any evidence of an emergency condition, but it does not include an alarm signal caused by conditions of nature or other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the alarm user.
“Local alarm” means systems or devices that sound audibly on the premises of the user, but are not connected to a receiving panel at an alarm reception point.
“Protected premises” means all of that contiguous area including buildings protected by a single alarm system and under common ownership and use. [Ord. 461-2007 § 1].
8.20.020 General system requirements.
A. No alarm system shall be installed, used, or maintained in violation of any of the requirements of adopted provisions of the Uniform Fire Code or any applicable statute, law, administrative regulation of the state, or of this chapter.
B. Any alarm user required by federal, state, county, or municipal statute, regulation, rule, or ordinance to install, maintain, and operate an alarm system shall be subject to this chapter.
C. No alarm system shall be installed, used or maintained which when activated sends a signal to any phone or alarm monitoring equipment located in the 911 communications center, except those alarms maintained for the specific purpose of protecting city property. Any alarm system which incorporates an automatic dialer shall not be programmed to call any police, fire or emergency communications center phone line. [Ord. 461-2007 § 2].
8.20.030 Permit required.
No alarm user shall install, use, or maintain any alarm system without first obtaining a permit for such system from the city. Systems approved and installed prior to the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be governed by such rules and regulations contained in this chapter. [Ord. 461-2007 § 3].
8.20.040 Permit application and issuance.
A. Each application for an alarm system permit shall be made on a form prescribed by the city.
B. Each permit application shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in DMC 8.20.050.
C. Upon receipt of the permit application and fee, the city shall undertake such investigation as is deemed necessary. If it appears that the proposed system will comply with the provisions of this chapter and any other applicable rules and regulations, the city shall issue to the applicant a permit bearing an identifying number and specifying the type of alarm system for which it is issued. [Ord. 461-2007 § 4].
8.20.050 Fee schedule.
Application fees, annual renewal fees and false alarm fees shall be set by resolution of the council. [Ord. 461-2007 § 5].
8.20.060 Training requirements.
The holder of an alarm system permit shall be responsible for training of employees, family members, and other persons who make regular use of the protected premises and who may, in the normal course of their activities, be in a position to accidentally trigger an alarm device. Such training shall include procedures to avoid accidental alarms and steps to follow in the event the system is accidentally triggered. [Ord. 461-2007 § 6].
8.20.070 Maintenance and repair responsibility.
A. The holder of an alarm system permit shall, at all times, be responsible for the proper maintenance and repair of the system and for the repair or replacement of any component, method of installation, design feature or like condition which may rise to a false alarm.
B. In the event a fire alarm system temporarily fails, rendering it inoperable at a premises required to have a fire alarm system, the fire chief may require the building owner or person in control to provide standby personnel until the system is restored. [Ord. 461-2007 § 7].
8.20.080 Testing of systems.
All alarm system testing shall be conducted in accordance with the following: All service and tests of any alarm system that may result in transmission of alarm information to the emergency communications center shall be conducted only after notification to the emergency communications center of the intention to conduct such service or tests. Failure to so notify will result in a false alarm assessment. [Ord. 461-2007 § 8].
8.20.090 Responsibility for alarm deactivation.
All permit holders shall furnish and update names and phone numbers of at least two responsible persons having access to the premises who may be notified to assist personnel in the event the alarm is activated. Responsible persons must be capable of deactivating the alarm system. [Ord. 461-2007 § 9].
8.20.100 Sound limitations.
Local alarms other than fire alarms shall not make a sound similar to that of sirens on emergency vehicles or of civil defense warning systems. Owners of local alarms shall be responsible to maintain and turn the alarm system off in case of malfunction. No local alarm sounding device shall sound for more than five minutes and shall incorporate an automatic cutoff. [Ord. 461-2007 § 10].
8.20.110 Grounds for revocation.
A. The following shall be grounds for revoking any permit issued pursuant to this chapter:
1. Any false or incomplete statement made on the permit application;
2. Substantial alteration of alarm transmitting devices other than those approved at the time of the permit application;
3. Testing or deliberate activation of the alarm system without following the provisions set forth in DMC 8.20.080;
4. Failure to properly maintain the system;
5. Failure to pay a false alarm fee or annual renewal fee as prescribed in DMC 8.20.050 within 30 days of demand;
6. Any permit for an alarm system that has 10 or more false alarms within a calendar year.
B. An alarm user shall immediately discontinue use of the alarm system upon being notified by certified mail of the revocation of the permit. [Ord. 461-2007 § 11].
8.20.120 Appeals.
An alarm user whose alarm system permit has been revoked under DMC 8.20.110 may appeal that action to the city council by giving written notice to the city administrator within 30 days after notice of revocation. The filing of a notice of appeal shall stay the action appealed until disposition of the appeal by council. For purpose of this section, mailing by certified mail of the revocation notice to the person and address listed on the permit application shall constitute notice of revocation. [Ord. 461-2007 § 12].
8.20.130 Penalties.
A person violating the provisions of this chapter or an order issued under authority of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a violation. A sentence to pay a fine for a violation shall be an amount, fixed by the court, not to exceed $500.00. [Ord. 461-2007 § 13].