Campbell Municipal Code Ch. 5.34 Alarm Systems

No person except a public utility engaged in the business of providing communications services and facilities shall use or operate, attempt to use or operate, or cause to be used or operated, or arrange, adjust, program or otherwise provide or install any device or combination of devices that will upon activation, either mechanically, electronically or by other automatic means initiate an intrastate call and deliver a recorded message to any telephone number assigned to any subscriber by a public telephone company, without the prior written consent of such subscriber.

(Ord. 958 § 2(part), 1974: previously codified as § 5.32.150).

The term "telephone number" includes any additional numbers assigned by a public utility company engaged in the business of providing communications services and facilities to be used by means of a rotary or other system to connect with the subscriber to such primary number when the primary telephone number is in use.

(Ord. 958 § 2(part), 1974: previously codified as § 5.32.160).

For the purpose of this chapter certain words and phrases used herein are defined as follows:

(1) "Alarm system" means any device designed for the detection of fire, unauthorized entry on a premises, or for alerting others of the commitment of an unlawful act, or a combination thereof. When actuated it emits a sound or transmits a signal or message.

(2) "Alarm business" means any person, firm or corporation engaged in or causing the selling, leasing, monitoring, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing of any alarm system in or on any building, place or premises.

(3) "Alarm agent" means any person who is employed by an alarm business, either directly or indirectly, whose duties include any of the following: Selling, maintaining, leasing, monitoring, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing in or on any building, place or premises, any alarm system.

(4) "Proprietor alarm system" means any alarm system which is owned and maintained by the person, firm or corporation or other entity who exercises ownership, domination or control over the property which is protected by such alarm system.

(5) "Audible alarm" means a device designed for the detection of fire or unauthorized entry on a premises and which, when actuated, generates an audible sound on the premises.

(6) "Subscriber alarm system" means any alarm system which is owned or maintained by an alarm business for the protection of the property of a subscriber, customer or client of such alarm business.

(7) "False alarm" means an alarm signal necessitating response by the police and/or fire departments where an emergency situation does not exist.

(8) "Telephone alarm system" (aka Dialer Alarm System) means any system which will activate an automatic telephone dialing device programed to dial a number maintained by the communications center of the Campbell police department.

(9) "Alarm user" means any person using an alarm system whether as a subscriber or proprietor.

(Ord. 958 § 2 (part), 1974).

No person, firm or corporation shall engage in, conduct or carry on any alarm business without first having obtained from the city clerk a license to do so.

(Ord. 958 § 2(part), 1974).

Each alarm that is to be installed is subject to an inspection by the Campbell police department, at their option.

(Ord. 958 § 2(part), 1974).

After installation an alarm system is subject to inspection by the Campbell police department on an annual basis, at their option.

(Ord. 958 § 2(part), 1974).

It shall be required by the representative alarm company to obtain approval for installation of a dialer or direct line alarm prior to installation. Approval shall be given in writing and the authority for installation rests with the chief of police or his designated representative.

(Ord. 958 § 2(part), 1974).

It is required that the alarm purchaser post the appropriate monthly monitoring fee for the remaining calendar year prior to installation of a dialer or direct-line alarm system. The fee is to be posted with the city clerk's office.

(Ord. 1250 § 1, 1979: Ord. 958 § 2(part), 1974).

It is required that the representative alarm company make written notification to the city police department communications center whenever the installation of a dialer or direct-line alarm has been completed. Such written notification shall be made within five working days of installation.

(Ord. 958 § 2(part), 1974).

As a condition of approval and authorization, all costs and recurring charges incurred in the installation and maintenance of a private telephone alarm shall be borne by the person requesting an alarm termination.

(Ord. 958 § 2(part), 1974: previously codified as § 5.32.190).

Each person requesting an alarm termination into the alarm panel or into the dedicated telephone lines shall pay to the city a fee as designated by city council resolution.

(Ord. 1416 § 1(part), 1982: Ord. 958 § 2(part), 1974: previously codified as § 5.32.200).

If a false alarm occurs three times in any calendar year, the police department will do the following:

(1) Assess a fee as designated by city council resolution for the fourth malfunction and each subsequent malfunction through the tenth against the alarm user.

(2) At the report of a tenth false alarm in a calendar year, the police department will cease to respond to the alarm and shall notify the responsible party of such action by U.S. Mail addressed to such responsible party.

(3) If the user can show to the police chief or his designee substantial corrective action, the alarm may be reinstated and police response reinstituted.

(Ord. 1970 § 1, 1998; Ord. 1738, 1989: Ord. 958 § 2(part), 1974).