[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of North Codorus 7-16-2013 by Ord. No. 257-07-2013. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
This chapter is enacted for the purpose of regulating the approval,
registration and use of alarm systems and automatic dialing devices
within North Codorus Township in accordance with 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 7511,
Act 70, as amended.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to any person who
owns, operates or maintains an alarm system designated to summon the
police, fire department or other municipal agencies to any location
in response to any type of alarm signal.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The console or control panel giving visual or audio notice
of intrusion, fire, smoke or other peril located within the confines
of York County Control or some other central monitoring station.
Any device or combination of devices designated and intended
to give visual or audio notice of an intrusion, fire, smoke, flood
or other peril.
Any alarm produced by an alarm system when the alarm system
has been activated by inadvertence, negligence or intentional or unintentional
act of someone other than an intruder or any alarm caused by the malfunction
of the alarm system and related equipment. The term "false alarm"
shall not include alarms produced by the malfunction of the alarm
console.
Any false alarm which requires primary response by fire-fighting
personnel and equipment.
Any false alarm which requires primary response by the Northern
York Regional Police Department[1] or any other police department.
Any natural person, partnership, corporation or association.
[1]
Editor's Note: References to the "South Western Regional Police
Department" have been changed to "Northern York County Regional Police
Department" pursuant to an agreement authorizing participation in
said Department. The original agreement and any amendments thereto
are on file in the Township offices.
On and after the effective date of this chapter, it shall be
unlawful for any person to transmit, cause to be transmitted or allow
to be transmitted any false alarm originating from an alarm system.
Any person who shall transmit, cause to be transmitted or allow to
be transmitted a false alarm shall, after the transmission of such
false alarm, comply with the provisions of this chapter or, in lieu
thereof, shall be prosecuted as provided by law.
Any person who knows or has reason to know that an alarm transmitted
by an alarm system is a false alarm shall immediately notify York
County Control or any other agency monitoring an alarm console, the
Northern York Regional Police Department,[1] the Fire Department or other appropriate agency that the
alarm transmitted by the alarm system is a false alarm.
[1]
Editor's Note: References to the "South Western Regional Police
Department" have been changed to "Northern York County Regional Police
Department" pursuant to an agreement authorizing participation in
said Department. The original agreement and any amendments thereto
are on file in the Township offices.
A.Â
Whenever any false police alarm has been transmitted by an alarm
system, the Police Chief of Northern York Regional Police Department[1] shall cause an investigation of the false alarm to be
made. The Police Chief shall keep a record of all false alarms transmitted
by any alarm system.
[1]
Editor's Note: References to the "South Western Regional Police
Department" have been changed to "Northern York County Regional Police
Department" pursuant to an agreement authorizing participation in
said Department. The original agreement and any amendments thereto
are on file in the Township offices.
B.Â
The Board of Supervisors of North Codorus Township hereby imposes
the following administrative sanctions for false police alarms:
(1)Â
During any calendar year, a warning shall be issued for the first
three false police alarms transmitted by an alarm system. For the
first two false police alarms in any given calendar year, the Police
Chief or his designee shall notify the person occupying the premises
where the alarm system is located that a false police alarm has been
transmitted by the alarm system and shall, upon the transmission of
the first false police alarm, give such person a copy this chapter.
Upon transmission of the third false police alarm in the same calendar
year, the Police Chief, or his designee shall notify the person occupying
the premises where the alarm system is located that a third false
police alarm has been transmitted by the alarm system and that any
further false police alarm transmitted by the alarm system in the
same calendar year will subject the person to further administrative
sanctions as set forth in this chapter.
(2)Â
Whenever an alarm system shall transmit four through seven false
police alarms during the same calendar year, the person occupying
the premises where the alarm system is located shall pay to North
Codorus Township an administrative fee of $50 for each false police
alarm over three. The administrative fee hereby imposed shall be payable
in lieu of a fine hereinafter imposed by this chapter.
(3)Â
Whenever an alarm system shall transmit eight through 12 false police
alarms during the same calendar year, the person occupying the premises
where the alarm system is located shall pay to North Codorus Township
an administrative fee of $100 for each false police alarm over seven.
The administrative fee hereby imposed shall be payable in lieu of
a fine hereinafter imposed by this chapter.
(4)Â
Whenever an alarm system shall transmit 13 or more false police alarms
during the same calendar year, the person occupying the premises where
the alarm system is located shall pay to North Codorus Township an
administrative fee of $150 for each false police alarm over 13. The
administrative fee hereby imposed shall be payable in lieu of a fine
hereinafter imposed by this chapter.
A.Â
Whenever any false fire alarm has been transmitted by an alarm system,
the Fire Chief of North Codorus Township shall cause an investigation
of the false alarm to be made. The Fire Chief shall keep a record
of all false fire alarms transmitted by any alarm system.
B.Â
The Board of Supervisors of North Codorus Township hereby imposes
the following administrative sanctions for fire alarms:
(1)Â
During any calendar year, a warning shall be issued for the first
three false fire alarms transmitted by an alarm system. On the transmission
of the first false fire alarm in any given calendar year, the Fire
Chief or his designee shall notify the person occupying the premises
where the alarm system is located that a false fire alarm has been
transmitted by the alarm system and shall give such person a copy
this chapter. Upon the transmission of the third false fire alarm
in the same calendar year, the Fire Chief, or his designee shall notify
the person occupying the premises where the alarm system is located
that a third false fire alarm has been transmitted by the alarm system
and that any further false fire alarms transmitted by the alarm system
in the same calendar year will subject the person to further administrative
sanctions as set forth in this chapter.
(2)Â
Whenever an alarm system shall transmit four false fire alarms during
the same calendar year, the person occupying the premises where the
alarm system is located shall pay to North Codorus Township an administrative
fee of $100 for the fourth false fire alarm in a calendar year. The
administrative fee hereby imposed shall be payable in lieu of a fine
hereinafter imposed by this chapter.
(3)Â
Whenever an alarm system shall transmit five false fire alarms during
the same calendar year, the person occupying the premises where the
alarm system is located shall pay to North Codorus Township an administrative
fee of $200 for the fifth false fire alarm in a calendar year. The
administrative fee hereby imposed shall be payable in lieu of a fine
hereinafter imposed by this chapter.
(4)Â
Whenever an alarm system shall transmit six or more false fire alarms
during the same calendar year, the person occupying the premises where
the alarm system is located shall pay to North Codorus Township an
administrative fee of $300 for the sixth or more false fire alarm
in a calendar year. The administrative fee hereby imposed shall be
payable in lieu of a fine hereinafter imposed by this chapter.
Notice as required by this chapter shall be given by the Police
or Fire Chief or his designee to the person occupying the premises
where the alarm system is located by mailing a copy of this notice,
by first-class mail, to such person at the address where the alarm
system is located. Personal service of the notice may also be given
by handing a copy of the notice to the occupant of the premises where
the alarm system is located, to an adult resident thereof or an employee
located thereon. If service is made by personal service, the Police
or Fire Chief or his designee shall file a proof of service which
shall be under oath and which shall designate the person and title
upon whom service was made.
Where the provisions of this chapter would cause unique and
undue hardship as it applies to a particular person, the Board of
Supervisors of North Codorus Township may grant a modification from
the strict application of the terms of this chapter if the modification
will not conflict with the general purposes of this chapter. In granting
a modification, the Board of Supervisors may impose conditions which
will substantially secure compliance with the purposes of this chapter.
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter
shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding
commenced by North Codorus Township, pay a fine not exceeding $600
plus all court costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred
by North Codorus Township. Northern York police officers,[1] the appropriate code enforcement officers of North Codorus
Township, the Fire Chief of North Codorus Township or other appropriate
officer or officers of North Codorus Township shall have the power
to enforce the provisions of this chapter. The amount of the fine
imposed for the violation of this chapter shall be established by
the officer who determines that a violation has occurred. Notice of
the violation of this chapter and the amount of the fine imposed shall
be given by personal delivery or by certified mail to the person violating
this chapter. If the person violating this chapter fails or refuses
to pay the fine imposed within the period specified in the notice
of the violation of this chapter, the Township shall file a civil
enforcement proceeding with the Magisterial District Justice to enforce
the fine imposed to the court hereunder.
[1]
Editor's Note: References to the "South Western Regional Police
Department" have been changed to "Northern York County Regional Police
Department" pursuant to an agreement authorizing participation in
said Department. The original agreement and any amendments thereto
are on file in the Township offices.
