[R.O. 2008 §18-4; Ord. No. 1565 §1, 2-8-1993]
The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to the area within the City of Creve Coeur, Missouri, and shall be known as the "Alarm System Code".
[R.O. 2008 §18-5; Ord. No. 1565 §1, 2-8-1993]
For the purposes of Sections 623.030 and 623.040, the following words, terms and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
ALARM BUSINESS
The business of any person or company who monitors, sells, leases, maintains, services, repairs, alters, replaces, moves or installs any alarm system or causes same to be monitored, sold, leased, maintained serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, moved or installed in or on any building, structure, residence, facility or premises.
ALARM SYSTEM
Any mechanical, electronic or electrical device which is designed to be actuated manually or automatically upon the detection of an unauthorized entry, intrusion, fire or other emergency in or on any building, structure, residence, facility or premises through the emission of a sound or transmission of a signal or message.
ALARM USER
A person or business that uses an alarm system to protect any building, structure, residence, facility or premises.
AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE
An alarm system which automatically dials a specific telephone number and transmits an emergency message by a recording over regular telephone lines when actuated.
CHIEF OF POLICE
The Chief of Police of the City of Creve Coeur and includes his/her duly authorized agents.
DIRECTOR
The Director of Finance or his/her authorized representative for the City of Creve Coeur.
FALSE ALARM
An emergency alarm which is actuated by inadvertence, negligence, mistake, error or unintentional act or intentionally for any purpose other than to summon the Police Department in the belief that a need exists for such summons, to which the Police Department responds, including alarms caused by the malfunction of the alarm system, except that the following shall not be considered false alarms:
1. 
Alarms caused by the testing or repair of telephone equipment or lines by a telephone company employee.
2. 
Alarms caused by an act of God, such as adverse weather conditions, earthquakes, floods, windstorms, thunder or lightning.
3. 
Alarms caused by an attempted illegal entry, of which there is physical or other evidence.
4. 
Alarms intentionally caused by the resident acting under a sincere belief that a need exists to call the Police Department.
5. 
Alarms promptly followed by a call to the Police Department using established procedure canceling the alarm prior to the arrival of the Police Department.
6. 
Alarms that are received from an alarm installation within sixty (60) days of the issuance of the installation permit.
In determining the existence of the false alarm, a decision shall be made in favor of the alarm user if the Police Chief finds that a doubt exists as to the cause of the alarm.
[R.O. 2008 §18-6; Ord. No. 1565 §1, 2-8-1993]
A. 
Application For An Alarm Business License. Each alarm business that is now engaged in selling, leasing, repairing, maintaining, servicing or installing emergency alarm systems in Creve Coeur shall apply to the Director for a license on a form to be provided by the Director. Such application shall be filed within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Chapter and is renewable on January first (1st) of each year thereafter. Each alarm business that desires to conduct business in Creve Coeur shall apply to the Director for an alarm business license annually. The application shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. 
Name, address, telephone number and type of business organization. If a partnership, the names and addresses of all partners. If a corporation, the names and addresses of the principal officers, the State of incorporation and incorporation number.
2. 
A statement that such firm and its employees are licensed and bonded in compliance with the applicable ordinances of St. Louis County, if any.
3. 
A list of the names and addresses of persons in the City for whom installations have been made by the applicant or repaired and/or maintained by the applicant prior to the effective date of this Chapter.
4. 
A statement of the type and availability of repair and/or maintenance service that the applicant proposes to offer to the alarm customer.
5. 
Name and address of the officer of the company or his/her designate authorized to receive notice or communications issued under this Chapter.
6. 
Submit with application a check to the City for the alarm business license fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
7. 
Signature of the applicant(s).
B. 
Action Of Application. The Director shall furnish a copy of the completed application to the Chief of Police for his/her investigation and recommendation. The Director shall approve or disapprove such application within thirty (30) days after receipt of the completed application. If disapproved, the notice to the applicant shall state the reason. The applicant shall have the right of appeal by the following steps:
1. 
A meeting with the Director;
2. 
If not satisfactorily concluded, then by a hearing before the City Administrator. The City Administrator's decision shall be final.
C. 
Repair Service Required. Each alarm business must offer service, directly or through an agent, to repair each alarm installed so as to correct any malfunction that may occur. At the time of installation, each alarm equipment supplier shall furnish to the alarm user written information as to how service can be obtained at any time, including the telephone number to call for service; and that the alarm user shall be responsible for having the system repaired as quickly as possible after he/she learns of any malfunction.
D. 
Cancellation Of License. The Director shall have the power to suspend and/or cancel the license issued to an alarm business for any one (1) or more of the following reasons:
1. 
Fraud, misrepresentation or false statement contained in any application for such license;
2. 
Attempted assignment or transfer of a license;
3. 
Fraud, misrepresentation or false statement in the conduct of business authorized by such license;
4. 
Failure to correct any deficiencies in operation of equipment after receipt of due notice from the City;
5. 
Violation of any provisions of this Chapter.
Such license shall not be suspended or canceled until a hearing shall have been held by the Director. The notice of cancellation shall contain a brief statement of the grounds alleged as basis for cancellation of the license. The licensee shall have the right to appeal to the City Administrator whose decision shall be final.
[R.O. 2008 §18-9; Ord. No. 1565 §1, 2-8-1993]
No emergency alarm shall be installed or serviced by other than an alarm business licensed under this Chapter, except by individual homeowners in their own residence. Homeowner installers are not required to obtain an alarm business license, but are required to obtain a permit prior to installing their own alarm.