Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Ch. 13 Alarm Systems

* 5-13.01 through 5-13.06, codified from § 2, Ord. 136-NS, eff. January 27, 1970, repealed by § 1, Ord. 918-NS, eff. April 15, 1986.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote the responsible use of alarm systems in a manner that enhances public safety, reduces unnecessary emergency response costs, and ensures that law enforcement resources remain available for true emergencies. The City recognizes that alarm systems, when properly installed and maintained, provide a valuable service to the community, while excessive false alarms place an undue burden on law enforcement personnel and resources.

(§ 2, Ord. 918-NS, eff. April 15, 1986; § 2, Ord. 1736-NS, eff. June 13, 2025)

For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:

(a) “Alarm administrator” shall mean the designated City official or entity responsible for administering, enforcing, and managing alarm system regulations.

(b) “Alarm agent” shall mean an individual employed by an alarm company operator to sell, install, monitor, maintain, service, or respond to alarm systems, or to supervise such activities.

(c) “Alarm permit” shall mean a document issued by the City authorizing the operation of an alarm system at a specific location.

(d) “Alarm site” shall mean a single fixed location, including a residence, business, or other premises, where an alarm system is installed and operated.

(e) “Alarm education program” shall mean a City-approved educational program designed to inform alarm users about proper alarm system operation, maintenance, and false alarm prevention.

(f) “Alarm system” shall mean any mechanical, electrical, or electronic device designed to detect unauthorized entry, burglary, or other emergencies and to signal law enforcement or emergency services through audible, visual, or electronic means.

(g) “Alarm user” shall mean any person, entity, or organization that owns, leases, or controls an alarm system at an alarm site.

(h) “Audible alarm” shall mean an alarm system that emits a sound or siren when activated, intended to alert persons on or near the premises.

(i) “Business alarm” shall mean an alarm system installed at a commercial, industrial, institutional, or governmental property, including but not limited to offices, retail establishments, warehouses, factories, schools, hospitals, and public buildings, where the primary purpose is to protect business assets, employees, or the public from unauthorized entry, fire, or other emergencies.

(j) “Direct dial” shall mean an alarm system that automatically dials the Thousand Oaks Police Department or emergency services when activated.

(k) “False alarm” shall mean an alarm activation resulting in a law enforcement or emergency response where no criminal activity, fire, or emergency is evident. This includes activations caused by system malfunctions, human error, or environmental factors.

(l) “Monitoring company” shall mean an entity that receives alarm signals from an alarm system and relays an alarm dispatch request to law enforcement or emergency responders.

(m) “Residential alarm” shall mean an alarm system installed at a private dwelling, including single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses, or multi-family residential units, where the primary purpose is to protect residents and personal property from unauthorized entry, fire, or other emergencies.

(n) “Responsible party” shall mean an individual designated by the alarm user to respond to an alarm activation and assist law enforcement in securing the premises.

(§ 2, Ord. 918-NS, eff. April 15, 1986; § 2, Ord. 1736-NS, eff. June 13, 2025)

(a) Alarm user responsibilities.

(1) Alarm users are responsible for ensuring their alarm system is properly installed, maintained, and operated in compliance with this chapter.

(2) Alarm users shall provide accurate and up-to-date emergency contact information to their monitoring company.

(3) Alarm users must take reasonable steps to prevent false alarms, including training occupants and employees on proper system operation.

(4) Upon an activation, the alarm user or a designated responsible party must be available to respond to the alarm site if requested by law enforcement or emergency responders. The City may establish an optional alarm permit or registration program through the Master Fee Resolution.

(5) The City may establish a permit or registration program for alarm systems. If established, alarm users who register may be eligible for incentives, such as reduced false alarm fines or other benefits designed to encourage responsible alarm use.

(b) Audible alarm systems.

(1) An audible alarm must automatically cease sounding within fifteen (15) minutes of activation and shall reset automatically within thirty (30) minutes.

(2) Audible alarms must not create an excessive nuisance to neighboring properties.

(3) It is the responsibility of the alarm user to ensure the audible alarm remains in proper working condition and does not result in repeated false activations.

(c) Direct dial alarms prohibited. Alarm systems shall not directly dial emergency services or the City. All automatically transmitted alarms shall be routed through a monitoring company.

(d) Simulated alarms; restrictions on emergency responder sounds.

(1) No person shall operate or use an alarm system or other security device that emits sounds resembling sirens, civil defense warning systems, or any signals commonly used by law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical services.

(2) Alarm users must also ensure that all external alarm sounds comply with applicable City noise ordinances.

(§ 2, Ord. 918-NS, eff. April 15, 1986; § 2, Ord. 1736-NS, eff. June 13, 2025)

(a) Alarm report.

(1) For each alarm activation resulting in a dispatch to the Thousand Oaks Police Department (Department), an electronic report shall be generated and maintained within the Department’s reporting system.

(2) The report shall include the type of alarm site (residential alarm or business alarm), as determined by the City, and any relevant classification details.

(3) The report shall include the name, address, and telephone number of the alarm user, as provided by the monitoring company, along with any additional data required by the Chief of Police.

(b) Monitoring company responsibilities. Monitoring companies are responsible for ensuring that accurate subscriber information is included in all reports transmitted to law enforcement.

(§ 2, Ord. 918-NS, eff. April 15, 1986, as amended by part 15, Ord. 1437-NS, eff. July 7, 2005; § 2, Ord. 1736-NS, eff. June 13, 2025)

(a) State registration.

(1) All alarm agents operating within the City must possess a valid alarm agent registration card issued by the State of California in compliance with state regulations.

(2) Alarm agents are required to carry their state-issued registration card at all times while performing their duties and must present it upon request by law enforcement or authorized City officials.

(b) Exemptions. This section does not apply to individuals installing or servicing alarm systems on premises they own or occupy, nor to salespersons who do not engage in installation, maintenance, or monitoring of alarm systems.

(§ 2, Ord. 918-NS, eff. April 15, 1986; § 2, Ord. 1736-NS, eff. June 13, 2025)

(a) Violations. Any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable as a violation of this Code or pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. All remedies shall be cumulative, and the use of one or more remedies by the City shall not bar the use of any other remedy for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter.

(b) Fines, fees, and penalties.

(1) Fines in the amounts established by the City's Master Fee Resolution shall be paid to the City by each alarm user.

(2) The City shall issue an invoice for false alarm fines in accordance with the billing schedule and procedures established by the alarm administrator and/or Chief of Police.

(3) Late penalty. Delinquent account penalties, interest, and/or collections fees are established by the City's Master Fee Resolution. If an account is referred to third-party collections, City shall not impose any additional penalties or interest beyond the amount owed at the time of referral.

(4) Fines and penalty, a civil debt. The amount of any fine and late penalty assessed pursuant to this section shall be deemed a debt to the City, and an action may be commenced in the name of the City in any court of competent jurisdiction in the amount of the delinquent debt pursuant to Section 1-2.06 of this Code. Payment of any fine shall not prohibit criminal prosecution for the violation of any other provisions of this chapter.

(c) Alarm education program.

(1) The City may, at its discretion, establish or authorize an approved entity to establish an alarm education program to provide instruction on proper alarm usage and maintenance.

(2) The Finance Director shall determine program eligibility, establish participation requirements, and administer the waiver process in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.

(§ 2, Ord. 918-NS, eff. April 15, 1986, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1017-NS, eff. February 7, 1989, and Ord. 1101-NS, eff. May 7, 1991, § 5, Ord. 1478-NS, eff. July 1, 2007; § 2, Ord. 1736-NS, eff. June 13, 2025)

(a) Maximum false alarms. Any alarm system that emits more than five (5) false alarms in any one alarm site within a calendar year is hereby declared to be a public nuisance.

(b) Notice to repair or disconnect. The Chief of Police may notify any alarm user or person who has caused such a system to be installed that thealarm system shall be repaired or disconnected pending repairs when the system is found to be a public nuisance.

(1) If the notice is to repair only, the notice shall indicate a maximum time period for repairs to be made, after which the system must be disconnected.

(2) If the notice is to disconnect, the notice shall indicate that the system shall not be reconnected until necessary repairs or maintenance of the system have been made to the satisfaction of the Chief of Police.

(§ 2, Ord. 918-NS, eff. April 15, 1986; § 2, Ord. 1736-NS, eff. June 13, 2025)

Nothing in this chapter shall create a duty for the City or its law enforcement personnel to respond to an alarm activation.

(§ 2, Ord. 918-NS, eff. April 15, 1986; § 2, Ord. 1736-NS, eff. June 13, 2025)

(a) An alarm user may appeal the invoice pursuant to Thousand Oaks Municipal Code.

(b) Within fourteen (14) days of the date of the invoice, the alarm user must present a preliminary review request form, a copy of the invoice and any additional information demonstrating the reasons why there was no violation or why the alarm user is not a responsible person for the violation to the City Treasurer. A preliminary review is to identify improper citations due to errors that are readily verifiable and not to resolve factual disputes.

(c) Within thirty-five (35) days of the date of the invoice, an administrative hearing may be requested by submitting an administrative hearing request form to the City of Thousand Oaks accompanied by a deposit in the amount of the total fine. A penalty deposit may be waived if substantial evidence is submitted that citee does not have the financial ability to pay the deposit.

(§ 2, Ord. 1736-NS, eff. June 13, 2025)