Chapter 9.40 — BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEMS

As used in this chapter, the words hereinafter defined are used as so defined unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended:

• (A) "Alarm owner" means the person or entity who owns, leases out, rents out, or makes available for use by agents, employees, representatives, family, or by any other third parties, any alarm system or the property for which the alarm system is located.

• (B) "Alarm system" means any device, whether known as a burglary, robbery or intrusion alarm, direct-dial telephone device, audible or silent alarm, or by any other name, which is used for the detection of any unauthorized entry into a building, structure, facility or property, or to signal the commission of an unlawful act. It includes those devices which emit a signal within the protected premises only, are supervised by the proprietor of the premises where located, and are otherwise known as “proprietary alarm systems.”

• (C) “Alarm user” means the person or entity who leases, rents, or has available to them for their use or use by their agents, employees, representatives, family, or by any other third parties, any alarm system or the property for which the alarm system is located and any person or entity who has access to any alarm system or the property for which the alarm system is located whether authorized by the alarm owner or otherwise.

• (D) "Audible alarm" means a device designed to notify persons in the immediate vicinity of the protected premises, by emission of an audible sound, of an unauthorized entry on the premises or of the commission of an unlawful act.

• (E) "Direct dial service" means a device which is connected to a telephone line, which upon activation of an alarm system automatically dials a predetermined telephone number and transmits a message or signal indicating a need for emergency response.

• (F) "False alarm" means an alarm signal activated by causes other than the commission or attempted commission of an unlawful act which the alarm system is designed to detect and/ or report; and which results in a requested and/or actual response by law enforcement. False alarms include, but are not limited to, the activation of an alarm system because of mechanical failure, preventable accident, improper operation, misuse, malfunction, improper negligence or carelessness of the alarm owner or alarm user. An alarm signal activated by violent conditions of nature other than extraordinary circumstances not subject to the control of the alarm owner or alarm user shall not constitute a false alarm.

• (Ord. 804 § 1, 1989; Ord. 1196 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1657, 7/1/2025)

The alarm owner of every audible alarm within the City shall post in a conspicuous place near the front entrance of the protected premises the names and telephone numbers of persons, including its monitoring company, to be notified during any hour of the day or night during which the audible alarm is operated. An audible alarm shall terminate its operation, or the audible alarm shall automatically reset within 30 minutes of being activated.

(Ord. 804 § 1, 1989; Ord. 1657, 7/1/2025)

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City of Palmdale, CA

PALMDALE CODE

§ 9.40.030

§ 9.40.070

The use of an alarm system which is equipped with a direct-dial device and which, when activated, automatically dials any telephone number in any office of the Sheriff, is prohibited. (Ord. 804 § 1, 1989)

The occurrence of a false alarm is prohibited. No person or entity, including the alarm owner or alarm user, may cause, either directly or indirectly, through their actions or inactions, or otherwise contribute to the occurrence of a false alarm. The alarm owner and/or alarm user are responsible for the occurrence of a false alarm. This section does not prohibit any test of an alarm system as permitted in advance by law enforcement.

(Ord. 804 § 1, 1989; Ord. 1657, 7/1/2025)

• (A) After any false alarm, the alarm owner shall, upon request by the City, submit a written report to the City’s Public Safety Department describing actions taken or to be taken to eliminate the cause of the false alarm. This shall be submitted within 10 calendar days of the date of request by the City. Unless the City allows otherwise, all actions needed to eliminate the cause of the false alarm shall be completed within 30 days of the date of the City’s request for the report. The City will retain copies of all requests, reports, and track all false alarms occurring in the City.

• (B) The alarm owner is responsible for ensuring that the alarm system is maintained in good working order at all times. This includes:

  • (1) Regular testing of the alarm system to verify its functionality and proper operation.

  • (2) Ensuring that any necessary repairs, adjustments, or replacements are made promptly.

  • (3) Conducting an annual inspection of the alarm system by a qualified technician, with documentation of the inspection and any corrective actions taken.

• (C) Failure to maintain the alarm system in good working condition may result in penalties as outlined in PMC § 9.40.080.

• (Ord. 804 § 1, 1989; Ord. 1657, 7/1/2025)

An alarm system that generates more than three false alarms in any 12-month period from the date of the first false alarm is declared to be a public nuisance and operation of the alarm system is prohibited until the alarm owner shows proof to the City, to the satisfaction of the City, of the elimination of the cause of the false alarm.

• (Ord. 804 § 1, 1989; Ord. 1196 § 2, 2002; Ord. 1657, 7/1/2025)

The provisions of this chapter are not applicable to audible alarms affixed to motor vehicles, to a public telephone utility whose only duty is to furnish telephone service pursuant to tariffs on file with the California Public Utilities Commission, or to auxiliary devices installed by a telephone

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City of Palmdale, CA

PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE

§ 9.40.070

§ 9.40.110

company to protect telephone company systems which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system.

• (Ord. 804 § 1, 1989; Ord. 1657, 7/1/2025)

• (A) Any person or entity violating any of the provisions of this chapter is subject to the penalty provisions in Chapter 1.12 PMC and any other penalty provisions of PMC Title 1.

• (B) When the City finds the existence of a public nuisance alarm as defined in PMC § 9.40.060 or other violation of this chapter, the City may abate the nuisance as provided in Chapter 8.36 PMC, inclusive of the judicial and other remedies of PMC § 8.36.240.

• (C) The City may enforce any violation of this chapter by any and all means available by law, including, but not limited to, civil enforcement through such means as a restraining order and nuisance abatement action for relief such as preliminary or permanent injunction, criminal enforcement, and administrative enforcement. These remedies are intended to be cumulative and may be used in conjunction with or in lieu of each other remedy.

• (Ord. 804 § 1, 1989; Ord. 1196 § 3, 2002; Ord. 1657, 7/1/2025)

Any alarm owner whose alarm system is prohibited from operation under PMC § 9.40.060 or who has been levied a service charge under PMC § 9.40.080 may contest the City’s actions through requesting an administrative hearing. The processes and procedures for requesting such hearing, holding such hearing, and the decision after such hearing shall follow those in PMC §§ 1.20.080 through 1.20.110. Where reference to the advance deposit of fine is made in those sections, for purposes of this section, it shall be treated as the service charge if such service charge is being contested.

(Ord. 1196 § 4, 2002; Ord. 1657, 7/1/2025)

Repealed by Ord. 1657. (Ord. 1196 § 5, 2002)

Repealed by Ord. 1657. (Ord. 1196 § 6, 2002)

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City of Palmdale, CA

PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE

§ 9.44.010

§ 9.44.030