Chapter 8.04
ALARM SYSTEMS
Sections:
8.04.030 Application for permit.
8.04.050 Permits not transferable.
8.04.080 Alarm company operators.
8.04.100 Alarm system regulations.
8.04.110 Violation – Penalties.
8.04.010 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter certain words and phrases shall be construed as set forth unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended:
“Alarm system” means an assembly of equipment and devices arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to which law enforcement and or fire response is expected.
“Audible alarm” means a device designated for the detection of unauthorized entry or heat/water surge fire detection on premises which generates an alert on the same premises when it is activated.
“False alarm” means an alarm signal, necessitating response by law enforcement, fire and emergency services personnel, wherein an emergency situation for which the alarm system for one second or less shall not be deemed a false alarm. Activation of an alarm system due to abnormal conditions (fire, earthquake, flood, etc.) shall not be deemed a false alarm.
“Fire” and “fire department” refers to the forestry and fire warden department of the county of San Bernardino, the fire warden and his/her designees.
“License official” means the city manager (or his designee) of the city.
“Permittee” means any person holding an alarm system permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
“Person” includes any individual, partnership, corporation, unincorporated association or other business activity.
“Sheriff” and “sheriff’s department” refers to the sheriff of San Bernardino County, his undersheriff and deputies. (Ord. 64 § 1, 1989)
8.04.020 Permits – Required.
No person shall install or use an alarm system without first applying for and receiving an alarm system permit (not applicable to motor vehicle alarm systems). (Ord. 64 § 2, 1989)
8.04.030 Application for permit.
A. Applications for an alarm permit are available from the license official of the city. The application permit shall be verified, signed and dated by the applicant and shall contain such information as may be deemed necessary by the license official.
B. At the time the completed application for permit is filed with the city, the applicant shall pay the appropriate fee established by a resolution of the city council.
C. Alarm system permits are valid for five years from date of filing, at which time they must be renewed. (Ord. 64 § 3, 1989)
8.04.040 Permit issuance.
An alarm system permit may be issued when a complete application is received by the license official and the appropriate fee is paid. (Ord. 64 § 4, 1989)
8.04.050 Permits not transferable.
A separate application for a permit shall be filed on each premises for which an alarm system is used or installed and ownership of an alarm permit is not transferable to another. (Ord. 64 § 5, 1989)
8.04.060 Permit denial.
An alarm system permit will be denied if the application for permit is not in form and/or does not contain all the information required. (Ord. 64 § 6, 1989)
8.04.070 Alarm standards.
All alarm systems and appurtenant equipment installed and/or used shall meet or exceed industry standards and those standards which may hereafter be established by the city. The city reserves the right to inspect all alarm systems installed in the city. (Ord. 64 § 7, 1989)
8.04.080 Alarm company operators.
It is unlawful for any person(s) required to be registered as an alarm system operator by the California Private Investigator and Adjustor Act to engage in the business of an alarm system operator in the city without first filing a copy of the registration with the license official. (Ord. 64 § 8, 1989)
8.04.090 Alarm agents.
It is unlawful for any persons required to be registered as an alarm agent by the California Private Investigators and Adjustor Act to engage in the business of an alarm agent without first filing a copy of the registration with the license official. (Ord. 64 § 9, 1989)
8.04.100 Alarm system regulations.
A. Repairs. After each false alarm caused by a malfunction of the alarm system, the permittee shall cause the alarm system to be repaired to eliminate the malfunction before reactivation of the alarm system.
B. Notification. A permittee shall cause the sheriff’s department and fire department to be notified prior to any service, test, repair, maintenance, alteration or installation of an alarm system which might produce a false alarm.
C. Automatic Deactivation. Every audible alarm system shall be so designed as to automatically deactivate the alarm system not more than 30 minutes after the alarm system is activated.
D. Prohibited Sound. No alarm system shall be installed or used which emits a sound similar to that of an emergency vehicle siren or a civil defense warning system. (Ord. 64 § 10, 1989)
8.04.110 Violation – Penalties.
A. Any person (or business) not having a permit to use an alarm system is in violation of this chapter. This violation will result in a fine, the amount of which will be established by a resolution of the city council.
B. A permittee whose activated alarm system results in a response from the sheriff and/or fire department(s) later determined to be a false alarm shall receive a warning letter from the license official. Second and third false alarms within a 365-day period (from the date of the first false alarm) will also cause warning letters to be sent by the license official.
C. The fourth and any subsequent false alarms originating from the same alarm within the same 365-day period will result in a service fee being imposed on the permittee, established by a resolution of the city council.
D. The license official shall routinely certify to the finance department the name of the permittee, the address from which alarms subject to penalties emanated and the amount due. (Ord. 64 § 11, 1989)
8.04.120 Permit revocation.
A. An alarm system permit may be revoked by the license official when the permittee has violated any of the provisions of the alarm ordinance, including, but not limited to:
1. Four or more false alarms within a 365-day period;
2. False representation made on the application for permit;
3. Nonpayment of penalties.
B. If an alarm system permit is revoked, the notice of revocation shall be deemed served when personally served on the permittee or deposited in the United States Postal Service by registered mail. The effective date of the revocation of the alarm system permit shall be 10 days after service of the revocation on the permittee or the date of the appeal affirmation of revocation, whichever is later.
C. Once revoked, a new alarm system permit must be obtained by reapplication to the city and deposit of new fees. (Ord. 64 § 12, 1989)
8.04.130 Appeals board.
A. There is created an appeal board within the city. The members of the board shall be appointed by the city council and consist of three members.
B. In the event a permit is revoked (HMC 8.04.120) or penalties imposed (HMC 8.04.110), a permittee may appeal to the appeals board by filing a notice of appeal with the license official, setting forth the facts and circumstances regarding the appeal. The notice of appeal shall be filed not later than 10 days after service of a notification of revocation or receipt of penalty payment request.
C. The appeals board shall consider the appeal not later than 10 days from the date on which such appeal is filed with the license official. The board shall hear all relevant evidence and determine the merits of the appeal. The board may affirm, overrule or modify the decision of the license official. (Ord. 64 § 13, 1989)