Agoura Hills Municipal Code Ch. 2 Alarm Systems

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Cross reference— Fire prevention, § 3100 et seq.

As used in this chapter, the words hereinafter defined are used as so defined unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended:

(a) Alarm owner means the person who uses or makes available any alarm system for use by his or her agents, employees, representatives or family.

(b) Alarm system means any mechanical or electrical device which is designed or used for the detection of fire, intrusion into a building, structure or facility, and for alerting persons of such an event within a building, structure, or facility by means of a local audible alarm or transmission of a signal or message. Alarm systems include, but are not limited to, direct dial tone devices, audible alarms, and proprietor alarms. Devices which are not designed or used to evoke a police or fire response or that are not intended to be audible, visible, or perceptible outside of the protected building, structure, or facility are not included within this definition. Also excluded are auxiliary devices which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system.

(c) Audible alarm means a device designed for the detection of a fire or of an intrusion which generates an audible sound on the premises when it is activated.

(d) Direct dial device means a device which is connected to a telephone line and upon activation of an alarm system automatically dials a predetermined telephone number and transmits a message or signal indicating a need for emergency response.

(e) False alarm means an alarm signal activated by causes other than the commission or attempted commission of an unlawful act which the alarm system is designed to detect. An alarm signal activated by violent conditions of nature or other extraordinary circumstances not subject to the control of the alarm owner shall not constitute a false alarm. It shall be the responsibility of the owner or lessee of the system to show that the cause was beyond their control.

(f) Person means an individual, firm, corporation, association, partnership, individual, organization, or company.

(g) Proprietor alarm means an alarm which is not regularly serviced by an alarm business.

(Ord. No. 68, 11-7-84)

No person shall install or use any alarm system which is equipped with a direct dial device which automatically dials any telephone number in any office of the sheriff or fire department.

(Ord. No. 86, 11-7-84)

The alarm owner of every audible alarm shall post in a location clearly visible from outside the front of the premises protected by the alarm or file with the sheriff's department the names and telephone numbers of persons to be notified to render repairs or service during any hour of the day or night during which the audible alarm is operated. An audible alarm shall automatically terminate or shall automatically reset within fifteen (15) minutes of its being activated.

(Ord. No. 68, 11-7-84)

No person shall install or use an alarm system which, upon activation, emits a sound similar to sirens in use for emergency vehicles or civil defence purposes.

(Ord. No. 68, 11-7-84)

No person shall knowingly turn in a false alarm. This section does not prohibit a test of an alarm system as permitted in advance by the sheriff.

(Ord. No. 68, 11-7-84)

No alarm owner shall operate an alarm system which generates more than three (3) false alarms in any twelve-month period. Each subsequent false alarm shall be considered a violation of this section.

(Ord. No. 68, 11-7-84)

After any false alarm responded to by the sheriff, a written report shall be submitted by the alarm owner describing actions taken to eliminate the cause of the false alarm if requested by the sheriff. This report shall be submitted within ten (10) days of the date requested by the sheriff.

(Ord. No. 68, 11-7-84)

The provisions of this chapter are not applicable to 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 California Public Utilities Commission.

(Ord. No. 68, 11-7-84)

Violations of this chapter may be prosecuted in the same manner as any other infraction. However, upon the first violation of section 4205, the sheriff shall serve a written notice on the violator describing the violation and specifying that the causes of the violation shall be corrected within ten (10) days of the date of service of the written notice. Such violation shall not be further prosecuted provided that the sheriff determines that the causes of the violation have been removed or fully corrected within said ten-day time period.

(Ord. No. 68, 11-7-84; Ord. No. 159, § 1, 4-26-89)