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Earlier editions: 2026-09

Title B — REGULATIONS

Santa Clara County Municipal Code Div. B15 Private Patrols

Santa Clara County Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Santa Clara County

Cite as: Santa Clara County Municipal Code Division B15 · Text as of 2026-10-04

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. NS-510.3, §§ 1, 2, adopted Sept 20, 1977, specifically amended the Code by repealing former Div. B15, §§ B15-1—B15-16, and adopting in lieu thereof new Div. B15, §§ B15-1—B15-3 as herein set out. Said former Div. B15 had pertained to the same subject matter and had been derived from Code 1954, §§ 5.1.11-1—5.1.11-13; Ord. No. NS-510, § 1, 1-28-63; Ord. No. NS-510.1, § 1, 7-8-63; Ord. No. NS-510.2, § 1, adopted Sept. 19, 1972.

Sec. B15-1. - Private patrol defined.

A "private patrol operator," or "operator of a private patrol service," within the meaning of this section, is a person who, for any consideration whatsoever: agrees to furnish, or furnishes, a watchman, guard, patrolman, or other person to protect persons or property or to prevent the theft, unlawful taking, loss, embezzlement, misappropriation, or concealment of any goods, wares, merchandise, money, bonds, stocks, notes, documents, paper, or property of any kind; or performs the service of such watchman, guard, patrolman, or other person, for any of said purposes, as defined in California Business and Professions Code § 7521.

(Ord. No. NS-510.3, § 2, 9-20-77)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. B15-2. - Uniform and equipment approval required; duration; fee.

(a) No person shall serve as a uniformed private patrol operator in the unincorporated area of this County unless and until the uniform and insignia to be worn shall first receive the written approval of the Sheriff that it is clearly distinguishable from the uniforms and insignia worn by local regular law enforcement officers, pursuant to California Business and Professions Code § 7514.2 [now repealed].

(b) No vehicle shall be used by an operator of a private patrol service unless and until the operator shall first receive the written approval of the Sheriff that the vehicle is clearly distinguishable from the vehicles used by local regular law enforcement agencies, pursuant to California Business and Professions Code § 7514.2 [now repealed].

(c) A fee of $20.00, to cover the cost of inspection, shall be paid at the time of issuance of written approval required by this section. Such approval shall expire one year from date of issuance, at which time new inspection and approval will be required. Should there be any substantial change in the uniform, or insignia, or vehicle during the period for which written approval has previously been given, such approval shall automatically terminate and new inspection and approval by the Sheriff shall be required, including payment of the fee, pursuant to California Business and Professions Code § 460.

(Ord. No. NS-510.3, § 2, 9-20-77; Ord. No. NS-510.4, § 1, 3-24-81)

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. B15-3. - Penalty.

A violation of any term of this division shall be a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. NS-510.3, § 2, 9-20-77)

Exceptions & meaning →

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