Beaumont Municipal Code Ch. 8.36 Alarm Systems

The purpose of this Chapter is to protect public health, safety and welfare by regulating alarm systems in order to reduce false alarms and the public service costs incurred in responding to such alarms. Many alarm systems currently in use mechanically malfunction or are not operated properly by their users, causing an increase in false alarm responses, thereby constituting a hazard and wasted time for peace officers, communications personnel and the public in general.

(Ord. No. 895, § 2, 6-20-06)

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this Section:

"Alarm or alarm system" means any device which is used to warn of an unauthorized entry into buildings or onto premises, of an emergency, or the commission of an unlawful act.

"Alarm user" means any person who owns, leases or rents, or any on-site agent or representative thereof, any monitored or unmonitored alarm system, device or service.

"Automatic dialing device" means a device which is connected to a telephone line, cellular telephone service or radio link and maintains an open line to emergency services or is programmed to select a predetermined telephone number and transmit an emergency message either by voice or coded signals indicating a need for emergency response.

"Business" means any premises used for non-residential or governmental purposes.

"False alarm" means any activation of an alarm eliciting a response by police personnel when a situation requiring a response does not in fact exist. It does not include activation for testing purposes if the Police Department has been given advance notice of such testing. It also does not include activation by police personnel. If an alarm is canceled prior to the dispatch of police personnel the activation shall not be considered a false alarm.

"Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity, including governmental entities.

"Residential" means premises used as dwelling units, which include apartments and lodging houses.

(Ord. No. 895, § 2, 6-20-06)

A. No person shall use, maintain or possess an alarm system on premises within the City of Beaumont unless that person has obtained an alarm user's license from the City Manager (or his/her designee).

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally activate any alarm or alarm system or cause signals to be transmitted to a monitoring agency indicating the activation of an alarm system for any reason other than to warn of an actual emergency or to test an alarm or alarm system provided that the Police Department has been notified before the test.

C. It shall be unlawful for an alarm user to refuse or fail to respond to the scene of his/her activated alarm when requested to do so by any Police Officer or Police Dispatcher.

(Ord. No. 895, § 2, 6-20-06)

This Chapter shall not apply to:

A. A smoke or heat detector in a single-family residential unit not connected to a central monitoring system.

B. An alarm system affixed to a motor vehicle not connected to a central monitoring system.

(Ord. No. 895, § 2, 6-20-06)

A. All alarm users shall, within ten days of completing the installation of a new alarm system, or within ten days of placing an existing alarm system in service, obtain an alarm user's license from the City Manager (or designee). If an alarm user fails to obtain a license such user shall be cited under Section 8.36.140 for each false alarm until such time as the permit is obtained.

B. If an alarm user operates an alarm system after having his/her license placed on the "no response" list pursuant to Section 8.36.100, such user shall be cited under Section 8.36.140 for each false alarm.

(Ord. No. 895, § 2, 6-20-06)

A. Application for an alarm license or renewal must be made by the alarm user to the City Code Enforcement Department upon forms prepared and approved by the Department. The applicant shall provide the following minimum information:

1. Name, address and telephone numbers (land line and cell phone) of the primary alarm user.

2. Location of the alarm system, types of activations reported by the system and which of these are audible and which are silent.

3. Name of the alarm business installing, servicing, inspecting, maintaining and/or monitoring the alarm system and a 24-hour telephone number of the monitoring station.

4. Date of installation of the alarm system.

5. Certification that the primary alarm user and all others authorized to operate the system have been properly trained in the use of the system by an alarm business, the subscriber or by the owner of the alarm system.

6. a.

For residential installations, the name of one responsible party, in addition to the alarm user, who can be notified to assist police personnel in the event of an activation and who can control the system at any time of the day or night.

b. For non-residential installations, the name of three responsible party(s), in addition to the alarm user, who can be notified to assist police personnel in the event of an activation and who can control the system at any time of the day or night.

B. The applicant shall, at the time of application, pay the fee established by resolution of the City Council. Fees for initial license application or renewal shall not be refundable, transferable or prorated. The application shall be signed and verified by the owner or lessee (or their agent or on-site representative) of the alarm system for which the license is requested. The application may contain any other such information as may be required by Code Enforcement.

C. Whenever any change occurs relating to the information required for a license the user shall give written notice of such change to the Code Enforcement Department within five business days of said change.

D. The City Council, may, by resolution, exempt classes of residents, from the payment of applicable fees. Exemptions from fees shall not preclude the City from requiring alarm users obtain a permit from the Code Enforcement Department.

E. Subject to the disclosure requirements of the California Public Records Act, information furnished pursuant to this Chapter shall be kept confidential.

(Ord. No. 895, § 2, 6-20-06)

A. Licenses shall be valid for a period of one year and shall be renewed annually for a fee established by resolution of the City Council.

B. Each alarm user shall be notified of the need to renew the license approximately 30 days prior to the expiration of the license. It shall be the responsibility of the alarm user to submit an application to renew prior to the expiration date. Failure to renew shall be classified as use of an unpermitted alarm system and the user shall be cited under Section 8.36.180 for each false alarm until a license is obtained.

(Ord. No. 895, § 2, 6-20-06)

The Code Enforcement Department shall promptly notify the Police Department of any new, renewed and revised alarm license.

(Ord. No. 895, § 2, 6-20-06)

The following are the duties and responsibilities of all alarm users, alarm owners or primary users operating alarm systems in the City of Beaumont:

A. To not manually activate an alarm except when an immediate emergency response is needed.

B. To inactivate or cause to be inactivated an audible alarm within 15 minutes of activation.

C. To be familiar with all alarm system operating instructions, including those for verification of an alarm.

D. To train or cause to be trained any and all persons who might have reason and authority to control the alarm system, in the proper operation of the system.

E. To inform persons who are authorized to operate the alarm system of the provisions of this Ordinance, emphasizing the importance of avoiding false alarms.

F. To notify the alarm system monitoring company of a false alarm activation as soon as the user is aware of the false alarm.

G. To notify the City Manager (or designee) when the alarm is deactivated or the applicant has moved from the location of the alarm system and is no longer responsible for its operation.

H. To maintain or to cause to be maintained the alarm system in good working order and to take measures to prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of false alarms.

I. To inspect or to cause to be inspected the alarm system at least once each 12 months.

J. To document the condition of the alarm system and the remedial actions taken to prevent false alarms.

(Ord. No. 895, § 2, 6-20-06)

An alarm user shall become liable to the City for an administrative fine under Section 1.16.030 of this Code if the Police Department is required to respond to repeated false alarms from the user's alarm system. A false alarm response administrative fine shall be paid to the City by the alarm user for each false alarm commencing with the second false alarm received from any one source or from any one alarm system within 12 consecutive months. No false alarm administrative fine shall be charged for false alarms occurring within 30 days following initial installation of any new alarm system provided the system otherwise complies with the requirements of this chapter. Multiple false alarms received in any one 24-hour period shall be considered a single event for the purpose of assessing an administrative fine".

(Ord. 1047, 7-15-14)

A. An alarm and alarm user shall be placed on a "No Response" list after police responses to six false alarms within 12 consecutive months. While on the "No Response" list, a police response will only be made when there is other independent information that an emergency has or is occurring.

B. The alarm and alarm user shall not be removed from the "No Response" list until the alarm user provides written evidence that the alarm has been serviced by an authorized alarm company which certifies that the alarm is properly functioning.

C. Neither the City of Beaumont nor its employees shall be liable for any failure to respond to an alarm that has been placed on the "No Response" list.

(Ord. No. 895, § 2, 6-20-06)

A. Audible alarms shall be equipped with an automatic reset mechanism capable of terminating the audible sound within 15 minutes after activation;

B. If an alarm system continues to emit an audible sound in excess of 15 minutes, after reasonable efforts to contact the alarm user or the alarm business that monitors such alarm system, the Chief of Police, or his/her designee, may cause such alarm system to be disconnected. The alarm user shall pay the cost of such disconnection.

(Ord. No. 895, § 2, 6-20-06)

A. The alarm user shall notify the Beaumont Police Department Dispatch Center before any service, test, repair, maintenance, alteration or installation of an alarm system that may cause a false alarm. Any alarm activated shall not constitute a false alarm if prior notice has been given. Each activation in violation of this section is subject to citation pursuant to Section 8.36.140.

B. When any false alarm has occurred the alarm user shall have the alarm system promptly repaired or disconnected to prevent false alarms. The audible function of the alarm system shall be disconnected while repairs are being made.

(Ord. No. 895, § 2, 6-20-06)

A. No person or business shall use or cause to be used any automatic dialing device that:

1. Automatically selects a public safety or emergency services telephone line of the City and then reproduces any prerecorded message or signal or otherwise maintains an open line without direct person-to-person communication.

2. Prevents termination of a call by police dispatch personnel.

3. Transmits directly to any public safety or emergency services facility.

B. Within 30 days after the effective date of this Chapter all existing automatic-dialing devices described herein shall be disconnected.

(Ord. No. 895, § 2, 6-20-06)

In the discretion of the Enforcement Officer, any person violating the provisions of this Chapter shall be issued an Administrative Citation pursuant to Beaumont Municipal Code Chapter 1.17 or shall be guilty of an infraction pursuant to Beaumont Municipal Code Chapter 1.16. In either case, the amount of the fine shall be the appropriate amount set forth in Section 1.16.030 of this Code. Each such violation shall be deemed a separate offense as specified in Section 1.16.040.

Notwithstanding the above, a first offense may be charged and prosecuted as a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $1,000.00, or six months in jail, or both.

(Ord. 997, 5-3-11)

The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to any and all alarm users including, without limitation, any person using an alarm installed before the effective date of this Chapter. All alarm users of alarm systems installed before the effective date of this Chapter shall apply or, and obtain, an alarm user license in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter within 90 days of its effective date.

(Ord. No. 895, § 2, 6-20-06)