Chapter 3.88 — ALARM SYSTEMS

This ordinance is enacted pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 7592.8. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish rules and regulations concerning the use of alarms in commercial locations in the unincorporated areas of the County, to enhance the effectiveness of these devices, and to minimize law enforcement response to false alarms caused by the improper use or abuse of these systems.

(Prior code § 3500; Ord. 3027, 03/12/85)

No person shall install or operate an alarm system on any commercial premises under his or her control without first obtaining a permit as required by this chapter. A permit for an alarm system shall be obtained from the Sheriff's Department.

(Prior code § 3501; Ord. 3027, 03/12/85)

Any person who installed an alarm system on his commercial premises before the effective date of this ordinance shall obtain a permit for the alarm system as required by this chapter if the alarm system is still in operation. The permit must be obtained within 180 days after the effective date of this ordinance.

(Prior code § 3502; Ord. 3027, 03/12/85)

This chapter shall not apply to alarm systems in motor vehicles, alarm systems operated by public agencies, alarm systems installed on residential premises, or alarm systems on any premises located within the boundaries of the Broadmoor Police Protection District.

(Prior code § 3503; Ord. 3027, 03/12/85)

Each person who installs or operates an alarm system on any commercial premises under his control shall complete and submit to the County Sheriff a permit application on a form containing all information required by the Sheriff. Each person shall pay a fee for processing the permit. The Sheriff shall set the amount of the fee, and the fee shall not exceed $25.00. The permit shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance and may be renewed for successive one-year periods upon payments of an annual renewal fee. The Sheriff shall also set the amount of the renewal fee, which shall not exceed $25.00.

(Prior code § 3504; Ord. 3027, 03/12/85)

No audible alarm system may emit a sound the same as or similar to sirens used on emergency vehicles or civil defense or fire department stationary sirens.

(Prior code § 3505; Ord. 3027, 03/12/85)

No audible alarm system may be operated or installed that does not have a device which automatically shuts off the sound within fifteen minutes after the alarm is activated. If an audible alarm system will not shut off and a responsible party cannot be located to shut if off, the Sheriff may call any alarm service company to shut off the alarm. The alarm user will be billed and must pay for any expense incurred.

(Prior code § 3506; Ord. 3027, 03/12/85)

No alarm system shall utilize an automatic calling device which places a call to any emergency police, fire, or medical service telephone number, other than the number provided by the Sheriff. The alarm user will be provided with a telephone number for automatic calling devices upon obtaining a permit. Only this telephone number shall be used with these devices.

(Prior code § 3507; Ord. 3027, 03/12/85)

The Sheriff may revoke any alarm system permit if he determines that the system does not comply with the provisions of this chapter. The alarm user will be notified in writing ten (10) working days before the

effective date of the revocation. This notice will be sent to the premises upon which the alarm system is located by first class mail and will include a statement of the reasons for the proposed revocation. The revocation of the permit will be effective ten (10) workings days after notice of the revocation is mailed. The alarm user may request in writing that the Sheriff reconsider any decision to revoke an alarm system permit. Such a request must be received by the Sheriff within five (5) working days after the revocation notice is mailed. The alarm user will be given written notification of the results of the review and a statement of the reasons for the action to be taken. The Sheriff may, in his sole discretion, revoke the permit, reinstate the permit, suspend the permit for a reasonable period of time, reinstate the permit with restrictions or additional provisions, and assess a penalty as provided in this chapter.

(Prior code § 3508; Ord. 3027, 03/12/85)

(a)

The intentional activation of a false alarm will result in the permanent revocation of the alarm permit.

(b)

The activation of a false alarm due to the negligence of the alarm user or authorized operator will result in the assessment of a $25 service charge to the user to defray the cost of responding to the alarm location.

(c)

The activation of three false alarms caused by malfunctioning of the alarm system within a calendar year will result in a $25 service charge being assessed to the alarm user to defray the cost of responding to the alarm location.

(d)

A fourth false alarm in a calendar year caused by negligence or malfunctioning will result in revocation of the alarm permit.

(e)

An alarm permit revoked for false alarms due to malfunctions may be automatically reinstated upon proof from the person servicing the alarm system that it has been repaired and upon payment of a $50 fee.

(f)

No fee shall be assessed or sanctions imposed for false alarms activated by storms, electrical failures, natural disasters, acts of God or other events not under the control of the alarm user or the fault of the alarm system.

(g)

The permit application form prescribed by the Sheriff shall require the alarm user to provide the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of two persons to respond to the premises when the alarm system is

activated. If a responsible party fails to respond to an alarm signal, the Sheriff may revoke the alarm system permit.

(h)

The Sheriff may revoke an alarm permit for failure to pay any charges or fees required under this chapter.

(Prior code § 3509; Ord. 3027, 03/12/85)

Any person who installs or operates an alarm system on any commercial premises without a valid permit is guilty of an infraction punishable by (a) a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for a first violation; (b) a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200) for a second violation within one year; (c) a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) for each additional violation within one year.

(Prior code § 3510; Ord. 3027, 03/12/85)

"Alarm system" means any device designed to signal the presence of an emergency situation or the commission of a criminal act and to which police or other emergency agencies are expected to respond.

"Alarm user" means any individual or business using an alarm system.

"Audible alarm" means any alarm device which when activated generates an audible sound on the premises protected.

"Automatic calling device" means any device used in conjunction with an alarm system which generates a telephone message upon activation of the alarm system to another location for the purposes of summoning emergency assistance to the premises.

"Calendar year" means that period of time starting on January 1 and ending on December 31 of any given year.

"Commercial premises" means any premises except residential premises.

"False alarm" means an alarm signal necessitating response by the Sheriff where there has been no emergency situation or the commission of a criminal act.

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

"Residential premises" means single-family or multiple-family dwellings and includes apartments, townhouses, and condominiums.

"Responsible party" means any person designated by an alarm user as having responsibility for operation and maintenance of an alarm system or as having responsibility for responding to the premises when an alarm system is activated.

(Prior code § 3511; Ord. 3027, 03/12/85)