The following words and terms, as used herein, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them as herein provided. Any word or term not specifically defined herein shall be accorded the meaning most commonly attributed to it within the context used.
Alarm site.
The premises or location served by an alarm system.
Alarm system.
A device or system which transmits a signal intended to summon an emergency service of the city in response to an emergency. The categories of alarm systems are robbery, burglary, fire, emergency medical assistance and emergency assistance. Alarm system does not mean an alarm installed on a vehicle, unless used for a habitation at a permanent site, or an alarm designed to alert only the inhabitants within the premises, but does include an alarm that emits an audible signal on the exterior of a structure.
Automatic tape dialer.
A device that, when tripped, automatically rings the police department emergency line.
Burglar alarm notification.
A notification intended to summon the police, which is initiated or triggered by an alarm system designed to respond to a stimulus characteristic of unauthorized intrusion.
Coordinator.
The chief of police or his authorized designate.
Emergency assistance alarm.
Any automatic notification system other than those otherwise defined in this section which summons emergency assistance from the city.
Emergency medical assistance alarm notification.
An alarm system intended to summon emergency medical assistance.
False alarm notification.
An alarm notification to the police department when the responding officer finds no evidence of unauthorized intrusion, attempted unauthorized intrusion, robbery, attempted robbery, or an attempt to take a person hostage. The coordinator shall not consider an alarm notification to be false if he determines that the alarm was caused by:
(1) 
A natural or manmade catastrophe;
(2) 
Severe weather that causes physical damage to the premises;
(3) 
Vandalism;
(4) 
Telephone line outage; or
(5) 
Attempted entry or attempted robbery.
Financial institution.
An institution required to have an alarm system by the provisions of the Bank Protection Act of 1968 (12 USC 1822, as amended).
Fire alarm notification.
A notification to the fire department or police department to summon firefighting forces, which is initiated or triggered by an alarm designed to react to any of the visual or physical characteristics of fire.
Local alarm.
An alarm system that emits a signal at an alarm site that is audible from the exterior of a structure.
Robbery alarm notification.
A notification intended to summon the police, which is initiated or triggered by an alarm system designed to respond to a robbery in progress.
(2000 Code, sec. 17-21; Ordinance adopting Code)
A person commits an offense if he operates any alarm system as herein defined without having a valid permit in accordance with the provisions of this article, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as provided in section 1.01.009 of this code for each offense; and a violation occurs as a separate offense for each day or portion thereof during which the violation is committed, continued or permitted.
(2000 Code, sec. 17-30)
(a) 
The city shall take every reasonable precaution to assure that alarm signals and prerecorded alarm messages received by the city are given appropriate attention and are acted upon with dispatch. Nevertheless, the city shall not be liable for any defects in operation of automatic dialing devices and signal line systems, for any failure or neglect to respond appropriately upon receipt of an alarm from such a source, or for the failure or neglect of any person with a license issued pursuant to this article in connection with the installation and operation of equipment, the transmission of alarm signals and prerecorded alarm messages, or the relaying of such signals and messages. In the event that the city finds it necessary to disconnect a defective automatic dialing device or signaling device, the city shall incur no liability by such action.
(b) 
The issuance of any license pursuant to this article shall not constitute acceptance by the city of any liability to maintain any equipment.
(c) 
The installation of alarm devices (including annunciators, indicator panels, etc.) at police headquarters shall be made at no cost to the city. The owner or lessee shall assume full responsibility for such equipment.
(d) 
If the location of police headquarters should be changed at any time, the city shall not be responsible for any expense incurred by the owner or lessee or alarm business licensee or alarm agent for moving alarm systems or components thereof or for reconnecting such systems or components to the relocated police headquarters.
(2000 Code, sec. 17-26)
There shall be assessed against each alarm company, agency or system which is to be monitored at the police department a fee as set forth in the master fee schedule for each alarm device installed at the police department.
(2000 Code, sec. 17-23(b); Ordinance 23-3746 adopted 5/23/2023)
(a) 
A person in control of an audible alarm on the structure must:
(1) 
Adjust the mechanism so that an alarm signal will sound for no longer than 15 minutes after being activated.
(2) 
Come to the alarm site within thirty (30) minutes after receiving a request from a member of the city police department or the city fire department to do so and grant access to the site and deactivate the alarm if necessary.
(b) 
Automatic tape dialers connected to the police department are prohibited.
(2000 Code, sec. 17-25)
(a) 
A person commits an offense if he/she installs, operates or causes to be operated an alarm system without first obtaining a permit from the coordinator. A separate permit is required for each alarm site.
(b) 
Upon receipt of the required fee and completed application form, the coordinator shall issue a permit unless there is reasonable cause to believe the equipment responsible for initiating an alarm will not be maintained or operated in accordance with this article or the applicant will not comply with each provision of this article.
(c) 
(1) 
Each permit application shall contain the name, address and telephone number of the person who is responsible for the proper maintenance and operation of the alarm system and payment of fees or charges levied under this article.
(2) 
Each permit application shall also contain the names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least two (2) persons who are able and have agreed to receive notification from a member of the city police department or the city fire department at any time and to come to the alarm site within thirty (30) minutes after receiving such notification.
(d) 
An alarm permit is not transferable or assignable. However, the individual designated to respond to an alarm or relay an alarm may be changed. A permit holder shall inform the coordinator of any changes that alter information listed on the permit application. No fees shall be assessed for such changes.
(e) 
Any false statement or misrepresentation of a material fact made by an applicant for the purpose of obtaining an alarm permit or renewal, or for the purpose of making a change thereto, may be sufficient cause for refusal to grant, or suspension of, a permit.
(f) 
Each alarm system shall have a backup power supply sufficient to maintain the alarm system in the event of a power outage of up to four hours.
(2000 Code, sec. 17-22; Ordinance adopting Code)
A nonrefundable fee as set forth in the master fee schedule is required for each permit or renewal of a permit. A permit shall be issued for two years and shall be renewed every two years thereafter by payment of the permit fee. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to pay the renewal fee prior to the expiration date of the permit.
(2000 Code, sec. 17-23(a); Ordinance 23-3746 adopted 5/23/2023)
(a) 
The holder of a burglar alarm permit shall be allowed six (6) false alarms. After that a fee as set forth in the master fee schedule shall be assessed for each additional false alarm up to 12 in one year. If the false alarms exceed twelve, the permit may be revoked until proof is shown that the alarm has been repaired or the problem is solved.
(b) 
The permit holder of a fire alarm shall be allowed six (6) false alarms. After that a fee as set forth in the master fee schedule shall be assessed for each additional false alarm up to 12 in any one year. If the false alarms exceed twelve, the permit may be revoked until proof is shown that the alarm has been repaired or the problem is solved.
(c) 
The holder of a robbery alarm permit shall be allowed six (6) false alarms. After that a fee as set forth in the master fee schedule will be assessed for each additional false alarm up to twelve (12) in any one year. If the false alarms exceed twelve, the permit may be revoked until proof is shown that the alarm has been repaired or the problem is solved.
(d) 
The permit holder of an emergency assistance alarm shall be allowed six (6) false alarms. After that a fee as set forth in the master fee schedule will be assessed for each additional false alarm. The permit may be revoked if the false alarms exceed 12 in any one year until proof is shown that the alarm has been repaired or the problem is solved.
(e) 
The permit holder of a medical assistance alarm shall be allowed six (6) false alarms. After that a fee as set forth in the master fee schedule will be assessed for each additional false alarm up to 12. If the false alarms exceed 12 in any one year, the permit may be revoked until proof is shown that the alarm has been repaired.
(f) 
A permit holder shall pay any service fee assessed under the provisions of this section within 30 days after receipt of notice that it has been assessed by the coordinator.
(2000 Code, sec. 17-24; Ordinance 23-3746 adopted 5/23/2023)
(a) 
The coordinator may suspend or refuse to renew an alarm system permit for failure to pay any assessment service fee or other fee as provided for under this article.
(b) 
The coordinator may suspend or refuse to renew an alarm permit if an alarm system generates an excessive number of false alarm notifications.
(c) 
The applicant or permit holder may appeal the decision of the coordinator as provided in section 4.11.035 of this article.
(2000 Code, sec. 17-27)
(a) 
If the coordinator refuses to issue or renew a permit, or suspends a permit, he shall send to the applicant or permit holder by certified mail, return receipt requested, written notice of his/her action and a statement of the right to an appeal. The applicant or permit holder may appeal the decision of the coordinator to the hearing officer, setting forth the reasons for the appeal, within 10 days after receipt of the notice from the coordinator. The filing of a request for an appeal hearing with the city manager stays an action of the coordinator in suspending a permit until the city manager makes a final decision. If a request for an appeal is not made within the 10-day period, the action of the coordinator shall be final.
(b) 
The city manager, or his/her designate, shall serve as hearing officer at an appeal hearing and consider evidence offered by any interested person. The formal rules of evidence do not apply at an appeal hearing; the hearing officer shall make his/her decision on the basis of a preponderance of the evidence presented at the hearing. The city manager shall render a decision within 10 days after the hearing is adjourned and shall notify all interested parties, as such were designated at the hearing, by written notice.
(c) 
The city council shall have the authority to accept review of the city manager’s decision if:
(1) 
Written notice is provided to the mayor’s office requesting review of the city manager’s decision within 10 days from the date of the city manager’s decision; and
(2) 
The city council, by a majority vote of those present and voting, agrees to review the decision.
Should the city council agree to hear the case, the council may affirm, reverse, or modify the decision of the city manager.
(2000 Code, sec. 17-28)