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)