Chapter 9.60 — BURGLARY AND ROBBERY ALARM REGULATIONS

The public has purchased alarm systems which either mechanically malfunction or are not operated properly, causing an increase in false alarms reporting, which require an immediate response from the city police department, thus needlessly diverting limited police resources.

(Code 1972, § 9.60.010; Ord. No. 1280, § 1, 10-25-2011)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alarm agent means a person employed by an alarm company operator whose duties include selling on premises, altering, installing, maintaining, moving, repairing, replacing, servicing, responding, or monitoring an alarm system, or a person who manages or supervises a person employed by an alarm company to perform any of the duties described in this chapter or any person in training for any of the duties described in this chapter. Said agent shall be in full compliance with the requirements set forth in the Business and Professions Code of the State of California and other applicable laws.

Alarm company operator means a person who, for any consideration whatsoever, engages in business or accepts employment to install, maintain, alter, sell on premises, monitor, or service alarm systems or who responds to alarm systems except for any alarm agent. The term "alarm company operator" includes any entity that is retained by a licensed alarm company operator, a customer, or any other person or entity, to monitor one or more alarm systems, whether or not the entity performs any other duties within the definition of an alarm company operator. The provisions of this chapter, to the extent that they can be made applicable, shall be applicable to the duties and functions performed in monitoring alarm systems.

(1)

A person licensed as an alarm company operator may not conduct any investigation or investigations except those that are incidental to personal injury, or the theft, loss, embezzlement, misappropriation, or concealment of any property, or any other thing enumerated in this section, which he has been hired or engaged to protect.

(2)

A person who is licensed, certified, or registered pursuant to this chapter is exempt from locksmithing requirements, pursuant to subdivision (e) of section 6980.12, if the duties performed that constitute locksmithing are performed in combination with the installation, maintenance, moving, repairing, replacing, servicing, or reconfiguration of an alarm system, as defined in subdivision (n) of section 7590.1, and limited to work on electronic locks or access control devices that are controlled by an alarm system control device, including the removal of existing hardware.

Alarm systems means an assembly of devices arranged to signal the presence of a hazardous condition to which police customarily respond, and include devices designed to signal audibly, electronically, or through other technological means when activated.

(1)

The term "commercial alarm system" means an alarm system that is used to detect a hazardous condition in or about a nonresidential structure or area.

(2)

The term "residential alarm system" means an alarm system that is used to detect a hazardous condition in or about a structure or area that is used primarily for non-business purposes and intended for habitation, including individual dwelling units within a single or multiple-family structure.

Audible alarm shall mean a device designed for the detection of an unauthorized entry on premises and which when activated emits an audible sound.

Automatic protection device means a device that reports a hazardous condition to a remote location over the regular telephone network by dialing a programmed telephone number then delivering a prerecorded voice message identifying the nature and location of the alarm.

Chief of police means the chief of the city police department or his authorized representative.

Code enforcement means the city department of code enforcement.

False alarm shall mean an alarm signal which, under ordinary circumstances, will necessitate or cause response by the police department where an emergency situation does not exist.

Hazardous condition means an event or occurrence which is indicative of a robbery, burglary, or other condition which poses a hazard or threat to persons or property and for which the alarm system is intended to detect or alert.

Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, or other entity.

Police department means the city police department.

Proprietor alarm shall mean an alarm which is not serviced by an alarm company operator.

Silent alarm shall mean that type of alarm system, which when activated, does not activate an audible alarm on site, but conveys notification of alarm by other electronic or mechanical means.

Subscriber shall mean a person contracting with an alarm company operator for the leasing, monitoring, servicing, or maintenance of an alarm system.

(Code 1972, § 9.60.020; Ord. No. 1280, § 1, 10-25-2011)

(a)

No person shall engage in, conduct, or carry on as an alarm company operator within the city, without first applying for and receiving a business license therefor in accordance with the city municipal code. Each person shall be in full compliance with the requirements set forth in the business and professions code and other applicable laws.

(b)

No person shall operate as an alarm agent, or engage in or conduct any activity as an alarm agent without first applying for and receiving a business license therefor in accordance with the provisions of the city Code. Each person shall be in full compliance with the requirements set forth in the business and professions code and other applicable laws.

(c)

Persons installing an alarm system, proprietor alarm, or audible alarm shall be in full compliance with the requirements set forth in the business and professions code and other applicable laws.

(Code 1972, § 9.60.030; Ord. No. 1280, § 1, 10-25-2011)

The provisions of this chapter shall not be applicable to:

(1)

Audible alarms affixed to automobiles.

(2)

Fire, smoke, or hazardous gas sensor alarm systems or detectors when such systems are not used as, or in lieu of, intrusion detection devises or alarm systems.

(3)

Emergency medical crisis alarms when such systems are not used, or in lieu of, intrusion detection devices or alarm systems.

(Code 1972, § 9.60.040; Ord. No. 1280, § 1, 10-25-2011)

It is the responsibility of the owner/installer to adhere to the following.

(1)

No alarm systems will be directly connected to the city police department communications network. All alarms must be reported through the county sheriff's central dispatch in accordance with the county sheriff's department policy and procedure.

(2)

Automated residential and commercial alarms will not be accepted by the county sheriff's department dispatch center. Alarms must be reported by an authorized reporting party, a legitimate alarm service, and/or a concerned citizen.

(3)

The testing of alarm systems is not conducted by the county sheriff's department dispatch center.

(Code 1972, § 9.60.050; Ord. No. 1280, § 1, 10-25-2011)

(a)

The owner and tenant of a building with more than three false alarms in a 12-month period shall be subject to administrative fines.

(b)

Exceptions:

(1)

A 30-day adjustment period to correct mechanical problems will be allowed for any new, improved, or replaced alarm system.

(2)

If the owner and/or tenant shows that any false alarm was the result of conditions beyond his control and not the result of negligence.

(c)

The intentional activation of an alarm that is determined to be a false alarm shall subject to administrative fines for each occurrence.

(d)

The administrative fines shall be established by resolution of the city council.

(Code 1972, § 9.60.060; Ord. No. 1280, § 1, 10-25-2011)

Each person utilizing any alarm shall comply with the following conditions:

(1)

Audible alarms. Audible commercial alarms systems shall be equipped with an automatic shut off mechanism capable of terminating the audible annunciator after activation within a maximum time of 30

minutes. Audible residential alarms systems shall be equipped with an automatic shut off device capable of terminating the audible annunciator after activation within a maximum time of 15 minutes.

(2)

Electrical power disruption. The alarm system shall not transmit a signal or activate an annunciator indicating the existence of a hazardous condition when electrical power is interrupted or restored, unless a hazardous condition does in fact exist.

(3)

Automatic telephone lines. Automatic protection devices shall not be keyed to any police department telephone line. Police dispatch responds to reports by authorized persons only.

(4)

Multiple premises. Any person who occupies more than on building, suite, office or other tenancy in which an alarm system is installed or used, and the alarm system is monitored or utilizes an automated reporting device, shall adjust or alter the alarm system to automatically indicate to the person receiving the alarm, which building, office, suite or tenancy from which the alarm originates.

(Code 1972, § 9.60.070; Ord. No. 1280, § 1, 10-25-2011)