Chapter 9.85
ALARM SYSTEMS
Sections:
9.85.020 Alarm permit and registration.
9.85.030 Standards for equipment and operation.
9.85.040 Approval of alarm systems.
9.85.070 Types of audible sound alarms prohibited.
9.85.080 Prohibition of certain direct dialing devices.
9.85.090 Duties and obligations not created.
9.85.010 Definitions.
All words and phrases used in this chapter which are defined in the Alarm Company Act (Business and Professions Code Section 7590, et seq.) shall have the same meaning as in said Act. Certain additional words and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:
(a) “Alarm equipment” means any mechanical or electrical device or combination thereof that is designed for the detection of unauthorized entry on or into any building, place, or premises, or for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act, or both, and which when actuated emits a sound or transmits a signal or message. “Alarm equipment” includes, but is not limited to, direct dial telephone devices, audible alarms, and proprietor alarms. Devices that are not designed or used to register alarms that are audible, visible, or perceptible outside of the protected building, structure, or facility are not included within this definition, nor are auxiliary devices installed by the telephone company to protect telephone company systems which might be damaged or destroyed by the use of an alarm system. The provisions of this chapter are not applicable to alarms affixed to automobiles, boats, boat trailers, or recreational vehicles.
(b) “Audible alarm” means a device designed for the detection of unauthorized entry on premises that generates an audible sound on the premises when it is activated.
(c) “Communications section” means the sheriff’s department facility used to receive emergency and general information from the public to be dispatched to the responsive sheriff’s units or other emergency equipment.
(d) “Day” means calendar day.
(e) “Direct-dial telephone device (automatic dialing device)” means any device that is interconnected to a voice-grade telephone line and is programmed to select a predetermined telephone number and transmits a pre-recorded voice message or code to signal an emergency response request.
(f) “False alarm” means an alarm signal, either silent or audible, necessitating response by the sheriff’s department where an emergency situation for which the alarm system was designed or used does not exist except when activation of an alarm system is due to abnormal natural conditions, such as fires, floods, earthquakes, high winds or similar disasters.
(g) “Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, or other business or non-business entity.
(h) “Sheriff’s dispatch terminal” means the alarm receiving center located in the communications section that receives, either by direct connection with the Sheriff’s Communication Center (S.C.C.) or by telephone, alarm and trouble signals from subscriber’s alarm system.
(i) “Sheriff’s department” means the Los Angeles County sheriff’s department, serving the city of Cerritos.
(j) “Director of community and safety services” means the director of community and safety services department, his deputy or other person authorized by him, pursuant to law, to act in his stead, to oversee law enforcement, code enforcement and other public safety and community services.
(k) “Proprietor alarm” means any alarm that is not serviced by an alarm company operator and to which the sheriff’s department does not normally respond unless called by telephone after an alarm has indicated evidence requiring law enforcement response.
(l) “Subscriber” means any person who purchases, leases, or contracts for, or otherwise obtains or uses an alarm system. (Ord. 842 § 1 (part), 2001)
9.85.020 Alarm permit and registration.
(a) No alarm company operator or alarm agent (as defined in Business and Professions Code Section 7590, et seq.), or their employees, shall install, maintain, or repair any alarm system within the city unless the alarm company operator and/or alarm agent have obtained a business license from the city, has complied with all state licensing requirements, and has filed a copy of their state identification card with the city clerk and director of community and safety services.
(b) All persons who own, lease, rent or otherwise possess an alarm system must obtain an alarm permit from the city. The issuance of such a permit shall be in addition to any permit requirements set forth in the Alarm Company Act.
(c) The following information shall be included on the application of a subscriber for an alarm permit on a form filed with the community safety division:
(1) Name, address, and telephone number of the alarm company and/or alarm agent installing, maintaining, or repairing their alarm system.
(2) A description of the type of alarm (such as, but not limited to burglary, robbery, silent, or audible).
(3) Name, address, and telephone number of person to be called pursuant to an alarm activation.
(d) An alarm subscriber permit shall be issued to the subscriber upon receipt of the required information.
(e) Each subscriber shall give the city written notice whenever any change occurs in any information required under this section within twenty-four hours after the change is effective.
(f) Any alarm installed or maintained in violation of this chapter is declared to be a public nuisance and may be abated as provided by law.
(g) Notwithstanding these provisions, any person who maintains an alarm system, business or residential, without a permit and after receiving a notice to obtain a permit fails to apply for a permit fifteen days thereafter, shall be deemed guilty of an infraction. (Ord. 842 § 1 (part), 2001)
9.85.030 Standards for equipment and operation.
(a) All new alarm systems shall meet or exceed the minimum standards for alarm systems as established by this chapter. Unless otherwise provided, all existing alarm systems shall meet these standards within one year of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, unless the director of community and safety services modifies the requirement upon a showing of good cause.
(b) All alarm systems connected to the Sheriff’s Communication Center (S.C.C.) shall include a device which will: (1) provide a minimum of thirty seconds’ delay of the original transmission; and (2) activate a signal immediately in such a manner as to be perceptible to a person legitimately entering, leaving, or occupying the premises. This requirement shall not apply to alarm systems where activation is accomplished by a manually operated device or panic button.
(c) All alarm systems shall be supplied with an uninterrupted power supply in such a manner that the failure of the normal electric utility service will not activate the alarm system. Said power supply shall be capable of maintaining operation of the alarm system for a minimum of six hours.
(d) All audible alarm systems shall include a device which will limit the duration of the audible sound to a period of fifteen minutes at a residential location and thirty minutes at a commercial location. (Ord. 842 § 1 (part), 2001)
9.85.040 Approval of alarm systems.
No person shall install any alarm system without the prior approval of the community and safety services department. (Ord. 842 § 1 (part), 2001)
9.85.050 False alarms.
(a) Any person who maintains or has an alarm connected to the Sheriff’s Communication Center (S.C.C.) and any person who maintains any alarm systems regulated by this chapter is subject to fines for excessive false alarms as set forth in this chapter.
(b) Upon the first, second, or third incidents of false alarms in any one calendar year, no fines shall be imposed.
(c) Upon the fourth incident of a false alarm in any calendar year, the person shall receive an infraction citation punishable by a fine of thirty dollars.
(d) Upon the fifth incident of a false alarm in any calendar year, the person shall receive an infraction citation punishable by a fine of fifty dollars.
(e) Every incident of a false alarm occurring after the fifth incident in any one calendar year shall be punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars. (Ord. 842 § 1 (part), 2001)
9.85.060 Testing.
A subscriber shall notify the sheriff’s department prior to any service, test, repair, maintenance, alteration, or installation of an alarm system which might produce a false alarm. An alarm activated subsequent to notification will not be counted as a false alarm for the purposes of Section 9.85.050. (Ord. 842 § 1 (part), 2001)
9.85.070 Types of audible sound alarms prohibited.
No alarm system shall emit a sound resembling an emergency vehicle or civil defense warning. The director of community and safety services shall make the final determination regarding any question of the compliance of an audible alarm with this section. (Ord. 842 § 1 (part), 2001)
9.85.080 Prohibition of certain direct dialing devices.
No person shall install, use, or maintain any alarm system that directly dials any telephone number in any office in Cerritos City Hall. All systems that directly dial telephone numbers in any office in Cerritos City Hall, and which are in existence prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall, within ninety days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, be eliminated or the system shall be reprogrammed by the owner or operator of said system to dial another number. (Ord. 842 § 1 (part), 2001)
9.85.090 Duties and obligations not created.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to impose upon the city or any officer or employee of the city, or any deputy or employee of the sheriff’s department, any duty or obligation of any kind to a subscriber or any other person. (Ord. 842 § 1 (part), 2001)
9.85.100 Penalty infraction.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter where a penalty is not otherwise provided shall be guilty of an infraction as provided in Section 1.08.020 of this code. (Ord. 842 § 1 (part), 2001)