Grand Terrace Municipal Code Art. II False Alarms

As used in this article:

A. "Alarm system" means any device which creates, produces or relays any sound message or signal, whether audible or not, in order to detect the commission or attempted commission of any crime, fire or medical emergency.

B. "Alarm user" means any person using an alarm system at his place of business or residence.

C. "Audible alarm" means any alarm system which is intended to, or can, be hard from outside of the building, structure or facility wherein such alarm system is installed.

D. "False alarm" means the activation of any alarm system because of malfunction, mechanical or electrical defect, or improper operation or procedure by any person, and no fire, crime or other emergency occurred requiring an immediate or emergency response by the city police or fire divisions. "False alarm" does not include an alarm system activated as a result of the authorized servicing, testing, maintenance, adjustment, alteration or installation of such alarm systems; provided, that the police are notified prior to commencement of any of such activities.

E. "Notice" means written notice of any act, event, decision, change, addition, deletion or modification as required pursuant to the provisions of this article given, served upon or mailed to any person or business, or employee or agent thereof. Any notice personally served shall be effective at the time of such service. Any notice mailed shall be effective on the third day thereafter, provided the notice was deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid and addressed to the party to be notified at the last known address for such party.

(Ord. 66 § 1, 1982)

A. All audible alarm systems, excluding fire alarms that emit sound to indicate the functioning of an automatic fire sprinkler system, shall include a device that will limit the generation of the audible sound of the system to not longer than fifteen minutes after activation when the alarm system is protecting a residential structure, and not longer than thirty minutes when the alarm system is protecting a commercial or industrial structure.

B. Any audible alarm system which does not automatically reset and/or re-arm itself as provided in subsection A of this Section and which generates an audible sound in excess of the time limitations prescribed in this Section is declared to be a public nuisance and may be summarily abated by the code enforcement officer of the city.

(Ord. 66 § 2, 1982)

There shall be a service charge, which may be set forth by resolution, assessed against the following persons and under the following circumstances: Against the alarm user when a police or fire response occurs as a result of a third or subsequent false alarm from an alarm system at the same address or location within any twelve-consecutive-calendar-month period.

(Ord. 66 § 3(part), (a), 1982)

A. The City Manager is authorized to designate such persons who shall enforce the provisions of this Section. Upon three or more false alarms being activated at the same address or location within a twelve-consecutive-month period, the enforcing person shall cause a notice of assessment to be served on or mailed to the alarm user. The notice shall describe the date and time of the alleged false alarm. The notice shall request payment of the service charge provided for in Section 8.20.060 within thirty days of the date of the notice taking effect. The notice shall indicate the existence and terms of the hearing procedures contained in this article.

B. Any person dissatisfied with the service charge may file a request for public hearing in writing with the city clerk's office. The hearing is to take place before the City Council within thirty days of the filing for appeal.

C. Failure to make payment may result in the service charges being filed with the county assessor's office as a special assessment against the property.

(Ord. 66 § 4, 1982)

A. The code enforcement officer may designate an alarm system at a specific location as a nuisance if such alarm system activates excessive false alarms. It is found and determined that four false alarms within any three-consecutive-calendar-month period constitutes a public nuisance.

B. The code enforcement officer shall serve the alarm user with a written notice to abate the nuisance (i.e., discontinue using the alarm system). The notice to abate may be appealed in writing; provided, the appeal must be filed with the city clerk's office within fifteen days after service of the notice. The public hearing is to take place before the City Council within thirty days of the filing of the appeal.

C. Immediately upon such a notice of abatement becoming effective, the alarm system shall receive nonpriority response from the police department.

(Ord. 66 § 3(b, c, d), 1982)