Chapter 8.04
ALARM SYSTEMS

Sections:

8.04.010    Prohibited phone device.

8.04.020    Alarm business license required.

8.04.030    Secondary telephone line—Permit application.

8.04.040    Secondary telephone line—Costs and charges.

8.04.050    Installation permit required.

8.04.060    Removal of device—License revocation.

8.04.070    False alarms.

8.04.080    Audible alarm regulations.

8.04.010 Prohibited phone device.

No person shall use or cause to be used any telephone device or telephone attachment on the primary telephone trunk line of the police department which reproduces any prerecorded message. (Ord. 328 § 1, 1974)

8.04.020 Alarm business license required.

Any person engaged in the business of selling or leasing alarms in the town shall pay a yearly license fee as provided in Section 5.12.150(1) of this code. (Ord. 492 § 1(A), 1996: Ord. 328 § 2, 1974)

8.04.030 Secondary telephone line—Permit application.

Any persons wishing to obtain a private secondary phone line terminating at the police dispatching center shall submit an application

in writing to the chief of police. Such application shall contain an agreement to comply with the conditions of this chapter. The chief of police shall approve such application if the following conditions are met:

A. The termination of the secondary phone line constitutes no hinderance to regular town activities.

B. All costs of installation and maintenance of such telephone lines shall be borne by the person requesting the terminating phone line.

C. The person requesting the terminating phone line shall maintain adequate equipment and service personnel to maintain or otherwise service alarms sold or leased by him.

D. The person requesting the terminating phone line shall make adequate provisions for testing of equipment and prevention of false alarms. (Ord. 328 § 3, 1974)

8.04.040 Secondary telephone line—Costs and charges.

All costs and recurring charges incurred in the installation and maintenance of such secondary telephone lines shall be borne by the person requesting the terminating phone line. (Ord. 328 § 4, 1974)

8.04.050 Installation permit required.

Each person installing an alarm system within the town shall pay the applicable electrical permit fee and shall obtain an installation permit for each new installation from the building official of the town. Each installation shall be inspected by the building inspector of the town or by the police department’s alarm specialist. (Ord. 492 § 1(B), 1996: Ord. 328 § 5, 1974)

8.04.060 Removal of device—License revocation.

In addition to any remedy provided by law, the chief of police may, whenever he shall have knowledge of the use of any device or attachment not operated or maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or for failure to comply with the conditions of this chapter, order the removal of such device or attachment or such phone line termination to which such device or attachment is connected, within thirty days of such findings. The chief of police may revoke any license issued under this chapter for failure to comply with the conditions of this chapter. Any person whose device or attachment or phone line termination has been disapproved or ordered removed or whose license has been denied or revoked by the chief of police may appeal by written notice for hearing by the city council at its next regular meeting. Decision of such appeal by the city council shall be made on the basis of the same standards established by this chapter for decision by the chief of police. (Ord. 328 § 6, 1974)

8.04.070 False alarms.

A. Generally. In the event a false alarm is activated by any alarm system within the town, an invoice shall be issued by the police department. The invoice shall set forth the time and nature of the false alarm, the amount of the service charge, if any, applicable under subsection B of this section, and that the service charge is due and payable within fifteen days after mailing of the invoice. The invoice will be mailed to the record alarm owner by regular United States mail, postage prepaid, to the address at which the alarm is installed.

B. False Alarm Defined. An alarm signal activated intentionally or through inadvertence to which personnel of the police department respond, when there is no need for such response, shall constitute a false alarm for purposes of this chapter. If the alarm owner makes contact with the police department before responding units arrive at the location of the alarm, the owner will not be charged with a false alarm. A mechanical malfunction if verified by the alarm company, will not be charged as a false alarm.

C. Each alarm system shall be allowed one false alarm without service charge during each fiscal year from July first through June thirtieth. The alarm owner shall pay a service charge in an amount established by resolution of the city council for each subsequent false alarm during the fiscal year.

D. Suspension of Alarm System. The chief of police is authorized to suspend any alarm system for failure to comply with the regulations set forth in this chapter or for failure to maintain the system in good operating condition.

E. Reinstatement of Alarm System. The chief of police is authorized to reinstate any alarm system suspended under this chapter, upon payment of any outstanding service charges together with a reinstatement fee in an amount established by resolution of the city council.

F. Appeal. Any determination of a false alarm may be appealed by the alarm owner to the chief of police. Within five days of receipt of a written appeal, the chief of police or his authorized deputy shall set the time and place for the hearing of the appeal and give the appellant written notice thereof by regular United States mail, postage prepaid, to the address given in the appeal. The owner of the alarm system may appear at such hearing and

testify if he or she desires. The decision of the chief of police on the appeal shall be final, and the alarm owner shall be notified of this decision by regular United States mail, postage prepaid.

G. Excessive False Alarms. In the event any alarm system within the town activates more than twelve false alarms within any one-year period, such alarm system shall be suspended and the owner thereof notified by regular United States mail, postage prepaid, sent to the address at which the alarm is installed. No alarm system may be activated while under suspension, and until reinstated by order of the chief of police and upon payment of any outstanding service charges together with a reinstatement fee in an amount established by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 527 § 1, 2001; Ord. 492 § 1(C), 1996: Ord. 432 § 2, 1987; Ord. 380, 1980; Ord. 354 (part), 1977: Ord. 328 § 7, 1974)

8.04.080 Audible alarm regulations.

A. Each audible alarm system shall be equipped with a timing device that will silence or turn off such audible signal within ten minutes of activation. After mailing of written notice of a first violation hereof, the owner of each audible alarm system that is not so equipped shall pay a service charge in an amount established by resolution of the city council for each subsequent violation.

B. It is unlawful to install or maintain any audible alarm which generates a sound similar to sirens used on authorized emergency vehicles or for civil disaster purposes.

C. “Audible alarm” means a device designed for detection of unauthorized entry on the land, building, structure or facility of any alarm owner, and which generates a sound

audible outdoors when activated. (Ord. 492 § 1(D), 1996: Ord. 354 (part), 1977: Ord. 328 § 8, 1974)