Redwood City Municipal Code Ch. 3A Alarm Systems

Footnotes:

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Cross reference— Buildings, Ch. 9; Police Reserves, Ch. 26.

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them:

ALARM COMPANY: Any person who sells, leases, maintains, services, repairs, alters, replaces, moves or installs any alarm system, or who causes any alarm system to be sold, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, moved or installed, in or on any building, place or premises.

ALARM SYSTEM: Any device designed for the detection of an unauthorized entry on the premises, or for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act, and, when activated, emits a sound and/or transmits a signal.

FALSE ALARM: The activation of an alarm system requesting an emergency response when an emergency situation does not exist.

OWN: To purchase, rent or lease an alarm system.

OWNER: The person or firm who purchases, rents or leases an alarm system to protect his or her property. "Owner" shall also mean and include the person or firm who owns the premises on which the alarm system is located.

(Ord. No. 1978, § 2, 9-12-88)

It shall be unlawful to install or own an alarm system without meeting all of the following requirements:

A. Service Personnel:

1. Alarm Company: Every alarm company shall provide twenty-four (24) hour service for every alarm it sells in the City.

2. Owner: Every owner of an alarm system shall provide to the Chief of Police the current names and addresses of all persons who can be notified when the alarm system is activated and who will render repairs or service to the alarm system and secure the premises.

B. Sound of Alarm: No alarm system shall, upon activation, emit a sound similar to sirens used in emergency vehicles.

C. Sound Shutoff: Every alarm system shall automatically discontinue emitting audible sounds within fifteen (15) minutes after it is activated.

D. Backup Power Supply: Every alarm system shall be equipped with a backup power supply, capable of maintaining the alarm system for a period of at least four (4) hours in the event of power failure. The backup power supply shall be designed so that when the primary power supply is interrupted, the system will continue as if no power interruption has occurred and will not signal an alarm.

E. Quality of Alarm System: Every alarm system shall bear the label of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., or another testing laboratory which has facilities, personnel and operating procedures equivalent to those of the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc.

(Ord. No. 1978, § 2, 9-12-88)

It shall be unlawful for any person to use, or cause to be used, or permit to be used, any telephone device or telephone attachment or any electrical or mechanical device that automatically selects any public telephone trunkline of the City and then reproduces any tone, signal or prerecorded message to report any burglary, robbery or other emergency.

(Ord. No. 1978, § 2, 9-12-88)

Every owner of an alarm system that has transmitted more than three (3) false alarms in any twelve (12) month period shall pay to the City a service charge in an amount set by resolution of the City Council for each succeeding false alarm. The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to establish guidelines for the collection of such charges.

Such guidelines shall be made available to the public upon request therefor.

(Ord. No. 1978, § 2, 9-12-88)

(Ord. No. 2436, § 5, 5-22-17)

Violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter shall constitute a public nuisance.

(Ord. No. 1978, § 2, 9-12-88)

Any person, firm or corporation, whether as principal, agent, employee or otherwise, violating or causing the violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be guilty of an infraction and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by:

A. A fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) for a first violation.

B. A fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for a second violation of the same provision within one year.

C. A fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each additional violation of the same provision within one year.

(Ord. No. 1978, § 2, 9-12-88)