Dana Point Municipal Code Ch. 11.60 Alarm Systems, False Alarms

Wherever used within this Chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth below:

"Alarm agency"

means any person who is employed by an alarm business, whether directly or indirectly, whose duties include any of the following: selling, maintaining, leasing, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving, installing, or monitoring any alarm system on any building, place, or premises.

"Alarm business"

means any person, firm, or corporation engaged in selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving, installing, or monitoring any alarm system or causing to be sold, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, moved, installed, or monitored any alarm system in or on any building, place, or premises.

"Alarm system"

means any electronic device designed for the detection of an unauthorized entry on premises, or for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act, or both, and when actuated, emits a sound or transmits a signal to indicate that an emergency exists, and to which police are expected to respond.

"Alarm subscriber"

means a person contracting with an alarm business for the leasing, servicing, or maintaining of an alarm system, or who owns, uses, or maintains a proprietor alarm.

"Audible alarm"

means a device designed to emit an audible sound to alert others of an unauthorized entry onto property, an unauthorized entry into a structure, or the commission of a robbery.

"False alarm"

means an alarm signal which causes response by the Sheriff-Coroner where an emergency situation does not exist. "Response" means arrival at the location of the alarm. "False alarm" does not include an alarm signal activated by earthquake, extraordinary weather conditions, or other act of God.

Sheriff-Coroner"

means the Orange County Sheriff's Department and the City of Dana Point Police Services.

(Added by Ord. 09-03, 5/9/09)

No person shall lease, maintain, service, repair, alter, replace, move, install or use any alarm system which automatically direct dials the telephone number of the Sheriff-Coroner.

(Added by Ord. 09-03, 5/9/09)

Direct alarm systems shall not be connected to the Sheriff-Coroner except with the permission of the Sheriff-Coroner.

(Added by Ord. 09-03, 5/9/09)

(a) When an alarm system has been activated for an alarm subscriber, the alarm business which provides the subscription service shall arrange at all times to have an alarm agency with the ability to be present at the location of the alarm within one hour after being requested to do so by a representative of the Sheriff-Coroner. The subscriber of an alarm system which is not part of a subscription service shall designate a person to be available to respond to the protected premises within one hour after being requested to do so by a representative of the Sheriff-Coroner.

(b) The alarm subscriber of any alarm system shall maintain the alarm equipment in proper working order at all times.

(c) For every alarm system, the alarm subscriber or the alarm business which provides subscription service shall furnish to the Sheriff-Coroner the names, addresses and telephone numbers of as many persons as are deemed necessary by the Sheriff-Coroner to call in the event of an emergency. The subscriber or alarm business shall communicate to the Sheriff-Coroner immediately in writing any changes occurring in any of the names, addresses or telephone numbers provided to the Sheriff-Coroner.

(Added by Ord. 09-03, 5/9/09)

All audible systems shall, after activation, limit the generation of the audible sound to a maximum of 15 minutes when the alarm system is protecting a residential premises, and 30 minutes when an alarm is protecting any other premises. This limitation shall be incorporated into the equipment at the protected location. Said system may include an automatic resetting device causing the subject system to re-arm upon automatic shutoff.

(Added by Ord. 09-03, 5/9/09)

An alarm subscriber may become liable to reimburse the Sheriff-Coroner for responding to excessive false alarms emitted by his or her alarm system. As a contract City, the City participates in the Sheriff-Coroner's False Alarm Fee Program, which establishes a fee for the Sheriff-Coroner's response to three and subsequent false alarms at the same residence or business in a calendar year. The Sheriff-Coroner shall collect costs from any alarm subscriber of an alarm system which is not maintained in accordance with the requirements of this Section and which, by reason thereof, signals excessive false alarms. As used in this Section, "costs" means the costs of the Sheriff-Coroner in responding to a false alarm, which costs shall be determined by the City Council by resolution.

(Added by Ord. 09-03, 5/9/09)

No person shall intentionally initiate a false alarm except for purposes of testing an alarm system and then only after having given the Sheriff-Coroner prior notice thereof. Any person who violates this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and also shall be required to pay to the Sheriff-Coroner the costs prescribed by Section 11.60.020.

(Added by Ord. 09-03, 5/9/09)