Woodside Municipal Code § 111.02 Definitions

This chapter is enacted pursuant to Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7592.8. The purpose of this chapter is to establish rules and regulations concerning the use of alarms in residential and commercial locations in the Town, to enhance the effectiveness of such devices and to minimize law enforcement responses to false alarms caused by the improper use or abuse of such systems.

(1975 Code, § 5-11.01) (Ord. 1986-338, effective 8-7-86)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

Alarm system. 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. Any individual or business using an alarm system.

Audible alarm. Any alarm device which, when activated, generates an audible sound on the premises protected.

Automatic calling device. Any device used in conjunction with an alarm system which device generates a telephone message for the purposes of summoning emergency assistance to the premises.

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

False alarm. An alarm signal necessitating response by the Town where there has been no emergency situation or the commission of a criminal act.

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

(1975 Code, § 5-11.12) (Ord. 1986-338, effective 8-7-86)

(A) No person shall install or operate an alarm system on any premises under his/her control without first obtaining a permit as required by this chapter. A permit for an alarm system shall be obtained from the Town Manager.

(1975 Code, § 5-11.02)

(B) Any person who installed an alarm system on his/her premises before August 7, 1986, shall obtain a permit for the alarm system as required by this chapter if the alarm system is still in operation. The permit shall be obtained on or before February 3, 1987.

(1975 Code, § 5-11.03)

(C) Any person who installs or operates an alarm system without a valid permit shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(1975 Code, § 5-11.11) (Ord. 1986-338, effective 8-7-86; Am. Ord. 1997-486, effective 6-26-97)

Cross reference— Penalty, see § 10.99.

This chapter shall not apply to alarm systems in motor vehicles or alarm systems operated by public agencies.

(1975 Code, § 5-11.04) (Ord. 1986-338, effective 8-7-86)

Each person who installs or operates an alarm system on any premises under his/her control shall complete and submit to the Town Manager a permit application on a form containing all the information required by the Town. Each person shall pay a fee for processing the permit. The Council shall set the amount of the fee by resolution. The Town will process the application in cooperation with the County Sheriff's Department.

(1975 Code, § 5-11.05) (Ord. 1986-338, effective 8-7-86; Am. Ord. 1997-486, effective 6-26-97)

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.

(1975 Code, § 5-11.06) (Ord. 1986-338, effective 8-7-86)

Cross reference— Penalty, see § 10.99.

No audible alarm system may be operated or installed which does not have a device which automatically shuts off the sound within 15 minutes after the alarm is activated. If an audible alarm system will not shut off, and a responsible party cannot be located to shut it off, the Town may call any alarm service company to shut off the alarm. The alarm user will be billed and shall pay for any expense incurred.

(1975 Code, § 5-11.07) (Ord. 1986-338, effective 8-7-86)

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 Town. The alarm user will be provided with a telephone number for automatic calling devices upon obtaining a permit. Only such telephone number shall be used with such devices.

(1975 Code, § 5-11.08) (Ord. 1986-338, effective 8-7-86)

Cross reference— Penalty, see § 10.99.

The Town Manager may revoke any alarm system permit if it is determined that the system does not comply with the provisions of this chapter. The alarm user will be notified in writing of the revocation. Such notice shall be sent to the premises upon which the alarm system is located by first class mail or shall be personally delivered to an adult occupant thereof. The revocation of the permit will be effective after notice of the revocation is mailed. The alarm user may appeal in writing to the Council any decision to revoke an alarm system permit pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 36 of this Code.

(1975 Code, § 5-11.09) (Ord. 1986-338, effective 8-7-86; Am. Ord. 2003-520, effective 10-23-03)

(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 service charge to the user to defray the cost of responding to the alarm location. The amount of the charge may be set by resolution of the Town Council from time to time.

(C) The activation of three false alarms caused by malfunctioning of the alarm due to events not under the control of the alarm user or the fault of the alarm system shall constitute grounds for revocation.

(D) The alarm user in his/her application shall provide the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of two persons to respond to the premises when the alarm system is activated. If a designated person fails to respond to an alarm signal, that shall be grounds for the revocation of an alarm permit.

(E) The Town may revoke an alarm permit for failure to pay any charges or fees required by this chapter.

(1975 Code, § 5-11.10) (Ord. 1986-338, effective 8-7-86)