Hidden Hills Municipal Code Ch. 7 Emergency Alarm Systems

A. Findings: The City Council hereby finds and declares that there has been a significant rise in the need for and use of emergency alarm systems. As a consequence of this, there has also been significant increase in the number of false alarms reported, resulting in loss of manpower, time and equipment. Such false alarms, whether produced by human error or faulty equipment, create many long-range detrimental effects, such as decreasing the efficiency of police and fire responses and seriously impairing the ability of law enforcement officials to monitor and prevent actual criminal acts.

B. Intent: It is the intent of the Council in passing and enacting this Chapter to minimize the number of false alarms and the negative effects associated therewith, while at the same time permitting law enforcement officials to use their resources most effectively and efficiently to provide victims of crimes perpetrated against their property, dwellings and other structures.

(Ord. 181, 2-17-86)

For the purpose of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed below:

Alarm Agent: Any person who is employed by an alarm business, either directly or indirectly, whose duties include any of the following: selling, maintaining, leasing, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing on or in any building, structure or facility, any alarm system.

Alarm Business: The business by any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity of selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing any alarm system or causing to be sold, leased, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, moved or installed any alarm system in or on any building, structure or facility.

Alarm System: Any mechanical or electrical device which is designed or used for the detection of an unauthorized entry into a building, structure or facility and for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act within a building, structure or facility, or both, which emits a sound or transmits a signal or message when actuated that is intended to alert, either directly or indirectly, personnel of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to any emergency situation.

Audible Alarm System: Any audible alarm system that can be heard from the exterior of any structure.

Direct Dial Telephone Device: Any device, including tape dialers, which will automatically dial a telephone number when activated.

False Alarm: Any activation of an alarm system by failure, malfunction, accidental tripping, misoperation, misuse or negligent maintenance by the owner or lessee of the alarm system or his employee or agent of any other activation of an alarm system that results in a response by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department where an emergency situation does not exist.

Fiscal Year: July 1 to June 30.

(Ord. 181, 2-17-86)

A. Permit Required; Application: No person shall operate or maintain an alarm system without an alarm permit. Every applicant for an alarm permit shall file with the City Clerk, on forms provided by the City, stating:

1. The name, address and telephone number of the applicant.

2. The address of the property on which the alarm system will be installed.

3. The number of alarm systems to be installed.

4. A description of the types of alarm systems to be installed.

5. The name of the person or company who will install the alarm system at the location.

6. The name, address and phone number of one person or company who will be available to be contacted in the event of an alarm activation.

B. Payment of Fee: At the time of filing an application for an alarm permit and at the time of filing an application to renew an alarm permit, the applicant shall pay a fee to be determined by resolution of the City Council. [1]

C. Expiration; Transferability: An alarm permit may be issued at any time but shall expire December 31 following the date of issuance. Alarm permits shall not be transferable from one person to another or from one location to another.

D. Change of Address or Phone Number of Contact Person: If the name, mailing address or phone number of the person to be contacted changes, the applicant shall supply corrected information to the City Clerk within five days of the change.

(Ord. 210, 4-4-88; Ord. 242, 8-26-91)

Footnotes:

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See Title 2, Chapter 1 of this Code for collection procedures.

A. Direct Dial Telephone Services Prohibited: No direct dial telephone device shall be programmed to dial any telephone number in any Sheriff's Department office.

B. Audible Alarm Requirements:

1. Notice to be Posted: Every person owning or maintaining an audible alarm shall post a notice containing the name and telephone number of the persons to be notified to render repairs or services during any hour of the day or night the audible alarm is activated. Such notice shall be posted near the alarm in such a position so as to be legible from the ground-level adjacent to the building.

2. Auto Shutoff:

a. All audible alarm systems shall be installed with an automatic 30 minute shutoff.

b. The ringing of any alarm for a period in excess of 30 minutes is hereby declared a public nuisance and subject to summary abatement.

(Ord. 181, 2-17-86)

If an alarm system emits a false alarm, a service charge shall be billed to and paid by the owner of an alarm system for each false alarm. The amount of the charge shall be determined by resolution of the City Council.

(Ord. 242, 8-26-91; 1994 Code)

An alarm agent engaged in alarm business within the City shall carry on his person, at all times while so engaged, a valid alarm permit as issued by the State [2] and shall display said permit to any City resident, Municipal official or Sheriff upon request.

(Ord. 181, 2-17-86; 1994 Code)

Footnotes:

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Bus. & Prof. Code § 7593, et seq.

Violations of any of the provisions of this Chapter are punishable as set forth in Section 1-5-1 of this Code.

(Ord. 181, 2-17-86)