Alhambra Municipal Code Ch. 9.75 Motor Vehicle Alarms

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

EMERGENCY SITUATION. Any situation where life or property is in physical jeopardy.

FALSE ALARM. An alarm signal emitting from a motor vehicle necessitating a response by the Police Department where an emergency situation does not exist.

MOTOR VEHICLE or VEHICLE. A vehicle which is self-propelled as defined in Cal. Veh. Code § 415.

('86 Code, § 9.75.010) (Ord. 4205, passed - - )

(A) It is unlawful for any person to cause, allow or permit any alarm located in a motor vehicle registered in the name of or driven by such person to emit any audible sound within the city for a period of more than five minutes.

(B) The time shall be calculated based upon the emission of the first audible sound ending five minutes thereafter notwithstanding any variation or delay in the emissions of audible sound.

('86 Code, § 9.75.020) (Ord. 4205, passed - - ) Penalty, see § 1.12.010

Any vehicle parked in a public right-of-way, parking lot, parking structure, or other public property is subject to enforcement under this chapter. In addition, any vehicle parked on private property may be cited hereunder where the false alarm is clearly audible on the public thoroughfare or nearby private properties. Any owner of private property upon which a vehicle emitting a false alarm is parked may summon city enforcement authorities for the purpose of citing the offending vehicle.

('86 Code, § 9.75.030) (Ord. 4205, passed - - )

It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, allow or permit an alarm to be emitted from a motor vehicle registered in the name of or driven by such person. Any violation of this chapter shall be an infraction. The first such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $100. The second infrac-tion occurring within one year of the first violation shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $200. Every violation occurring after the second violation within one year of the first violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.

('86 Code, § 9.75.040) (Ord. 4205, passed - - )

Any violation of this chapter is declared a public nuisance which is subject to abatement pursuant to the procedures described in this chapter and as authorized by law.

('86 Code, § 9.75.050) (Ord. 4205, passed - - )

(A) The Police Department in order to abate the public nuisance created by a vehicle in violation of this chapter may undertake such procedures as are reasonably necessary to deactivate the alarm.

(B) Should the Police Department be unable to deactivate the alarm, the vehicle shall be removed in accordance with the provisions of Cal. Veh. Code § 22651.5.

('86 Code, § 9.75.060) (Ord. 4205, passed - - )