Chapter 9.12
BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEMS
Sections:
9.12.030 Notice of activation.
9.12.040 Failure to notify police.
9.12.060 Fine for police response.
9.12.066 Response to notice within 15 days.
9.12.067 Response provisions adopted by reference.
9.12.070 Repeated false alarms – Disconnection.
9.12.080 Other alarms unaffected.
9.12.010 False alarm defined.
For the purposes of this chapter, “false alarm” means the activation of a burglary and/or robbery alarm by other than a forced or attempted forced entry to the premises or at a time when no burglary or robbery is being committed on the premises. (Ord. 252 § 1, 1979)
9.12.020 Activation.
It is unlawful for any person to activate any burglary and/or robbery alarm system except in the event of actual or attempted burglary or robbery. Setting or testing of any alarm system for a duration not to exceed two seconds is exempt from this section. (Ord. 252 § 2, 1979)
9.12.030 Notice of activation.
When notifying police of the activation of any alarm, it is unlawful to fail to notify the police that an alarm has been activated by an electrical or other malfunction, when such person has knowledge of such malfunction. (Ord. 252 § 3, 1979)
9.12.040 Failure to notify police.
It is unlawful for any person to fail to notify the police immediately, when such person has activated an alarm system which they know is a false alarm. (Ord. 252 § 4, 1979)
9.12.050 Failure to turn off.
It is unlawful for any person to fail to appear and turn off any alarm within one hour after being notified by the police to do so. (Ord. 252 § 5, 1979)
9.12.060 Fine for police response.
For a police response to any false alarm, the city shall charge and collect from the person having or maintaining such burglary and/or robbery alarm system on premises owned or occupied by them fines as established by city council resolution. The city shall charge and collect separate fines for:
A. A response to premises at which no other false alarm has occurred within the preceding six-month period, hereinafter referred to as a “first response.”
B. A second response to premises within six months after a first response and for all succeeding responses within six months of the last response. (Ord. 1253 § 1, 2022; Ord. 556 § 1, 1994; Ord. 252 § 6, 1979)
9.12.065 False alarm notices.
A. Whenever the police respond to a false alarm, the officer responding may take the address of the premises and any other information displayed on the premises which might identify the owner or occupant of the premises. If the officer is able to identify the owner or occupant of the premises at the scene, then the officer shall either fix conspicuously to such premises a notice of infraction relating to false alarms or provide such notice of infraction to the owner or occupant if such persons be present. In all other circumstances, a notice of infraction relating to false alarms shall be mailed to the owner or occupant within seven days of the occurrence of the false alarm.
B. In conjunction with any false alarm infraction notice, the police, or their duly authorized representative, shall be authorized to issue a warning to the person having or maintaining a burglary alarm system, upon or after responding to a false alarm, that they will be subject to a fine of $50.00 for a second response to the premises within six months after a first response and for all succeeding responses within six months of the last response, and possible disconnection of their system if a third false alarm is responded to within the six-month period following the second false alarm. (Ord. 556 § 2, 1994)
9.12.066 Response to notice within 15 days.
Any person who receives a notice of infraction relating to false alarms shall respond to such notice as provided in LFPMC 9.12.067 within 15 days of the date of the notice. (Ord. 556 § 3, 1994)
9.12.067 Response provisions adopted by reference.
All sections of Chapter 46.63 RCW as now or hereafter amended are adopted by reference as a part of this chapter in all respects as though such sections were set forth herein in full. (Ord. 556 § 4, 1994)
9.12.070 Repeated false alarms – Disconnection.
The chief of police, or his duly authorized representative, may require any owner or occupant of premises having a third false alarm within the six-month period following the second false alarm to have such burglary alarm system disconnected until it has been repaired or replaced; provided, that no disconnection shall be ordered as to any premises required by law to have an alarm system in operation. It is unlawful to reconnect such alarm system until such corrective action is taken and the owner or occupant has provided written notice to the city of its repair or replacement. (Ord. 556 § 5, 1994)
9.12.080 Other alarms unaffected.
No provisions of this chapter shall in any way prohibit, curtail or limit the use of outside audible fire alarm systems in use as of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter which are activated by heat or by lack of water pressure or similar means. No provisions of this chapter shall in any way prohibit, curtail or limit the use of any alarm system which is otherwise required or regulated by state or federal law. (Ord. 252 § 8, 1979)
9.12.090 Violation – Penalty.
Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is a civil infraction, and any person, firm or corporation found guilty thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $250.00 per violation, unless a lower penalty is specifically provided for in this chapter. (Ord. 556 § 6, 1994; Ord. 252 § 9, 1979)