Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code Art. II False Alarms

No alarm user shall give, signal, transmit, or cause or permit to be given, signaled or transmitted, a false alarm.

(Prior code § 92.25)

A. Upon finding a false alarm pursuant to an investigation, the Police or Fire Department shall notify the alarm user of the false alarm.

B. Within three days of receiving the above notice, the alarm user shall file a written report with the appropriate Chief containing the following information:

1. All information regarding the source or the cause of the false alarm; and

2. Any planned corrective action and projected date of correction.

C. Upon investigation of a false alarm, if a police or fire alarm system continues to emit an alarm signal in excess of 30 minutes, after reasonable efforts to contact the alarm user or the alarm business that monitors such alarm system, the Chief of Police or the Fire Chief may cause such alarm system to be disconnected by an alarm agent. The alarm user shall pay the cost of such disconnection.

(Prior code § 92.26)

The Chief of Police or Fire Chief may designate an alarm system a public nuisance if it actuates excessive false alarms. It is determined that three false alarms within any three consecutive calendar months is excessive and constitutes a public nuisance.

(Prior code § 92.27)

The Chief of Police or Fire Chief shall suspend the permit of an alarm user whose alarm system has been designated a public nuisance. The Chief of Police or Fire Chief shall serve the alarm user with a written order of suspension which shall state the reason for the suspension. The order shall be effective immediately if personally served, or 72 hours after the order has been deposited with postage prepaid in the United States mail. As soon as such order of suspension becomes effective, the alarm user shall disconnect the alarm system. In the case of police alarm systems, the police alarm system shall receive nonpriority response from the police.

(Prior code § 92.28; Ord. 695 10-15-19)

The suspension of the alarm user’s permit shall become a revocation 15 days after the order of suspension becomes effective unless the alarm user presents to the appropriate Chief written verification that the system has been completely evaluated and the causes of the false alarms located and corrected. Notice of revocation shall be served by personal service or by certified mail. Upon service of such notice of revocation, the false alarm shall be disconnected. The alarm user shall surrender any permit revoked pursuant to this section to the appropriate Chief.

(Prior code § 92.29; Ord. 695 10-15-19)

Within 15 days from the date of receiving notice of a revocation pursuant to Section 5.36.180 of this chapter, the alarm user may appeal the revocation to the City Clerk. Such appeal shall be in writing and shall be filed with the City Clerk. The appeal shall be conducted pursuant to applicable sections of Chapter 4.36 of the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code, as may be amended. The decision of the Hearing Officer shall be final.

(Prior code § 92.30; Ord. 695 10-15-19)

A. Except for a violation of Section 5.36.140 of this chapter, a violation of this chapter is an infraction and is punishable by a fine of not more than $500. Revocation of a permit shall not be a defense against prosecution.

B. The false alarm user or alarm business responsible for a false alarm or whose alarm system sends such alarm as prohibited in Section 5.36.140 of this chapter shall pay a penalty for each false alarm according to the following schedule:

C. All invoices issued for false alarm responses will be due and payable upon receipt, and shall be considered past due 45 days from the invoice date. Responses to false alarms may be suspended if there are past due invoices.

(Prior code § 92.99)