Clearlake Municipal Code § 5-13 Alarm Systems

AUDIBLE ALARM shall mean a device designed for the detection of unauthorized entry on the land, building, structure and/or facility of any alarm owner which generates an audible sound outdoors when it is activated. FALSE ALARM shall mean the activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or through the negligence of the user, owner or lessee of the alarm system, or his or her employees or agents. Such terminology does not include alarms caused by acts of God, flooding or other violent natural conditions. For the purpose of this section alarm owners or users who make contact with the City Police Department before responding units are dispatched to the location of the alarm shall not be charged with a false alarm. (Ord. #78, S1; Ord. #18-89)

Any person wishing to obtain a private secondary phone line terminating at the Police Dispatching Center shall submit an application in writing to the Chief of Police. Such application shall contain an agreement to comply with the conditions hereof. The Chief of Police shall approve such application if the following conditions are met: a. The termination of the secondary phone line constitutes no hinderance to regular activities. b. All costs of installation and maintenance of such telephone lines shall be borne by the person requesting the terminating phone line. c. The person requesting the terminating phone line shall maintain adequate equipment and service personnel to maintain or otherwise service alarms sold or leased by him.

d. The person requesting the terminating phone line shall make adequate provisions for testing of equipment and prevention of false alarms. (Ord. #78, S2)

In addition to any remedy provided by law, the Chief of Police may, whenever he shall have knowledge of the use of any device or attachment not operated or maintained in accordance with the provisions of this section, or for failure to comply with the conditions hereof, order the removal of such device or attachment or such phone line termination to which such device or attachment is connected, within thirty (30) days of such findings. The Chief of Police may revoke any license issued hereunder for failure to comply with the conditions hereof. Any person whose device or attachment or phone line termination ha been disapproved or ordered removed or whose license has been denied or revoked by the Chief of Police may appeal by written notice, filed with the City Clerk within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date notice is given, for a hearing by the City Council at its next regular meeting. Decision of such appeal by the City Council shall be made on the basis of the same standards established hereby for decision by the Chief of Police. (Ord. #78, S3)

Audible alarms shall have a timing device that will silence or turn off such devices within ten (10) minutes of activation. Alarms in violation shall be fined twenty-five ($25.00) dollars after first receiving an initial warning notification by first class United States Mail of such violation. (Ord. #78, S4)

In the event a false alarm is activated by any system within the City of Clearlake a letter will be mailed or delivered to the alarm owner explaining the alarm regulations and specifically subsection 5-13.5a. In the event a fourth or ensuing false alarm is activated during the “False Alarm Rating Period” a citation shall be issued advising the owner the service charge is applicable and giving the owner fifteen (15) days to pay the twenty-five ($25.00) dollars service charge. a. False Alarm Rating Period. Each alarm system shall be granted a false alarm period of twelve (12) months which will begin on the date of the first false alarm occurring within said system. Succeeding alarm periods shall begin on the anniversary of the first false alarm. A service charge of twenty-five ($25.00) dollars shall be imposed upon the fourth and ensuing false alarms during each alarm period. b. Excessive False Alarms. In the event any alarm system within the City activates twelve (12) or more false alarms within a one year period such alarm system shall be suspended and the owner so notified by first class United States mail.

c. Notice of Suspension. The Chief of Police has the right to suspend any alarm system under this section for failure to comply with regulations set forth or for failure to maintain the system in good operating condition. d. Reinstatement of Alarm System. Any system suspended under this section may be reinstated by application to the Chief of Police with payment of any service charges plus additional fifty ($50.00) dollar reinstatement fee. (Ord. #78, S5)

Any person convicted for violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be punished by fine of not to exceed one hundred ($100.00) dollars. Violation of any provision of this section shall be considered infractions. (Ord. #78, S6)