The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Alarm user
means any person, partnership, association, corporation, business or residence where a fire alarm protective service or burglar alarm protective service is installed.
Burglar alarm protective service
means any service whereby the person providing such service employs electronic or mechanical means to detect the unlawful entry into a premises, attempted unlawful entry into a premises, or any other illegal activity in or on the premises in the city, the report of which is then transmitted to or through the communication system of the police department of the city, or is in any manner connected with the police communication system of the police department of the city. The term “burglar alarm protective service,” as used in this article, means the activity of maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing in or on any building, place or premises any device designed or used for detection of unauthorized entry or to alert others of the commission of an unlawful act or both.
False alarm
means any alarm that requires the response of the city police department or fire department and it is determined that no such cause for the alarm existed of the kind for which the alarm system was designed.
Fire alarm protective service
means any service whereby the person providing such service employs electronic or mechanical means to detect the presence of fire, smoke or excessive heat on any premises in the city, the report of which is then transmitted to or through the communication system of the fire department of the city or is in any manner connected with the fire alarm communication system of the fire department of the city. The term “fire alarm protective service,” as used in this article, means the activity of maintaining, servicing, altering, replacing, moving or installing in or on any building, place or premises any device designed or used for detection of fire.
Fire chief
means the chief of the fire department of the city.
License
means an authority, as described herein, duly granted by the manager and based upon the findings of public convenience and necessity by the manager.
Local alarm
means a local protective signaling system so designed and operated that both the equipment for detecting fire or unlawful entry and the equipment for sounding a warning thereof by bell, horn, siren or other means are located on the particular premises being protected.
Person
means any individual, partnership, association, corporation or society operating a fire alarm protective service or burglar alarm protective service, but such term shall not include the city.
(1973 Code, sec. 3-1/2-1; 1991 Code, sec. 4-1; Ordinance 90-438, sec. I, adopted 7/12/90; 2007 Code, sec. 4-1)
The adoption of this article shall not repeal any franchise for the operation of any fire alarm protective service or burglar alarm protective service granted by an ordinance of the city council.
(1973 Code, sec. 3-1/2-3; 1991 Code, sec. 4-2; 2007 Code, sec. 4-2)
No local alarm shall make a sound similar to that of a siren on emergency vehicles or similar to a civil defense warning system. The licensee, installer or alarm user of a local alarm shall post a clearly legible notice near the external location of such alarm reflecting the name and telephone number of the person to be notified to render repairs or service during any hour of the day or night that such alarm sounds. Such notice shall be posted in such a position as to be readable by a person of average height from the ground level adjacent to the building. It shall be unlawful for the person designated to be notified, after being notified that such alarm is sounding, to refuse to come to the premises to shut off such alarm or to assist officers or firefighters in an inspection of the premises.
(1973 Code, sec. 3-1/2-6; 1991 Code, sec. 4-5; 2007 Code, sec. 4-3)
All licenses and permits for alarm systems must comply with V.T.C.A., Local Government Code section 214.191 et seq., and V.T.C.A., Occupations Code chapter 1702.
(1991 Code, sec. 4-21; Ordinance 90-438, sec. IV, adopted 7/12/90; 2007 Code, sec. 4-25)
(a) 
Each alarm user in the city will be allowed the following number of false alarms in a 12- month period during the calendar year (January 1 through December 31) without charge to the alarm user:
(1) 
Three (3) false fire alarms;
(2) 
Three (3) false burglar alarms;
(3) 
Three (3) false hold-up alarms.
(b) 
Charges for false alarms shall be as currently established or as hereafter adopted by resolution of the city council from time to time.
(c) 
The city will not monitor any alarm whose physical location is not within the corporate limits of the city.
(d) 
The burden of proof that the activation of the alarm system was not a false alarm shall rest with the alarm user.
(1973 Code, sec. 3-1/2-39; 1991 Code, sec. 4-75; Ordinance 90-438, sec. V, adopted 7/12/90; 2007 Code, sec. 4-58; Ordinance 21-902, sec. 3, adopted 6/24/21)
Each alarm user in the city must be issued an alarm user permit.
(1973 Code, sec. 3-1/2-36; 1991 Code, sec. 4-71; 2007 Code, sec. 4-54)
(a) 
No person shall operate, cause to be operated or permit the operation of an alarm system unless a current permit has been issued by the city permit department for such system; provided, however, that this subsection shall not be applicable to an alarm system business which monitors, services or monitors and services an alarm system installed and designed to protect property under the control of a person other than the alarm system business, but the person in control of the property which the alarm system is designed to protect shall be subject to prosecution if he permits the operation of such system without a valid permit.
(b) 
The person in control of the property shall obtain a single permit for all alarm systems on so much of one premises that is under the control of the applicant for a permit.
(1991 Code, sec. 4-72; Ordinance 89-424, sec. 1, adopted 1/12/89; 2007 Code, sec. 4-55)
(a) 
Each alarm user must make application with the city permit department and the applicant must be approved by the chief of police.
(b) 
The application will contain the following information:
(1) 
Residential:
(A) 
The applicant’s full name, date of birth, driver’s license number, social security number, home telephone number and work number.
(B) 
Address where the alarm system is to be installed.
(C) 
Name and address of the alarm company.
(2) 
Business:
(A) 
Full name, address and phone number of the business.
(B) 
Address where the alarm system is to be installed.
(C) 
Names and telephone numbers of at least three people to notify in case of emergency after business hours.
(1973 Code, sec. 3-1/2-37; 1991 Code, sec. 4-73; 2007 Code, sec. 4-56)
(a) 
Each alarm user will be charged an annual fee as currently established or as hereafter adopted by resolution of the city council from time to time. The permit shall be valid for one calendar year (January 1 through December 31). This permit will not be transferable.
(b) 
The fee for a permit issued pursuant to this division to a multifamily residential complex shall be as currently established or as hereafter adopted by resolution of the city council from time to time.
(1973 Code, sec. 3-1/2-38; 1991 Code, sec. 4-74; Ordinance 89-424, sec. II, adopted 1/12/89; Ordinance 91-448 adopted 7/1/91; 2007 Code, sec. 4-57; Ordinance 21-902, sec. 2, adopted 6/24/21)