The purpose and intent of this chapter is to:
A. 
License and regulate alarm systems, alarm users, and activities of alarm companies in the City of Roseville.
B. 
Reduce or eliminate the instances of false alarms in the City of Roseville.
C. 
Protect public safety by curtailing or eliminating the number of false alarms within the city that prevent, hinder or delay public safety officers from responding to other calls for service.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require any police department response to alarm devices. The issuance of an alarm permit does not entitle the holder to any special level of police department service to an alarm device. All police department responses to alarm devices will be made in accordance with the alarm response policy established by the chief of police.
The obligation of complying with the requirements of this chapter, and any liability for failing to do so, is placed solely upon the parties responsible for owning, operating, monitoring, installing or maintaining security alarm systems.
An alarm permit requirement is hereby imposed on all alarm system users hereinafter set forth.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015)
For the purpose of this chapter the meaning of certain words and phrases shall be construed as set forth in this section, unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended:
"Alarm administrator"
means the person designated by the police chief or such person's designee as the person responsible for administering the provisions of this chapter and/or the standards and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
"Alarm company"
means a person in the business of selling, providing, monitoring, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing an alarm system in an alarm site. Such companies shall be licensed in accordance with the provisions of Business and Professions Code Section 7590 et seq. Such companies must also be licensed with the City of Roseville business licensing department.
"Alarm permit"
means the permit required under Section 10.64.060 of this code.
"Alarm site"
means the location served by one or more alarm systems. An alarm site may be a single fixed premises, a unit within a premises, or a geographic area, including an undeveloped parcel of land or a construction site. Each unit, if served by a separate alarm system in a multi-unit building or complex shall be considered a separate alarm site. For a residential subdivision under development, the entirety of the area still under the ownership, possession, or control of the owner, developer, or contractor, and which is served by an alarm system anywhere within that area, shall be considered the alarm site.
"Alarm system"
means any mechanical or electrical device which is designed or used for the detection of an unauthorized entry into a building, structure, facility, or site or for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act within a building, structure, facility, or site, or both; and which emits a sound or transmits a telephonic, wireless, electronic, video, or other signal or message to an alarm system monitoring company when actuated, or emits any other audible or visible signal that can be heard or seen by persons outside the protected premises or transmits a signal beyond the premises in some other fashion. "Alarm systems" include, but are not limited to, duress alarms, direct dial telephone devices, audible alarms, and proprietor alarms. An alarm system or alarm device may consist of one or more components, which may be fixed or mobile, including, but not limited to, motion detectors, window breach detectors, video cameras, microphones, and similar components, which report to a central station or central system which, in turn, connect to or reports to an alarm system monitoring company. Devices which are not designed or used in any manner that will result in police department response are not included within this definition, nor are auxiliary devices installed by a telephone company to protect telephone company systems which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system. Alarm devices installed on a temporary basis by the Roseville police department or other law enforcement agencies are not included under this definition.
"Alarm system monitoring company" or "monitoring company"
means any person (located within or outside the city) that engages in the business, practice, or profession of monitoring alarm systems within the city, and which reports directly or indirectly any activation of such alarm systems to the city, its departments, divisions, officials, agents, or employees, including, but not limited to, the police department and/or dispatch. For purposes of this chapter, alarm system monitoring companies include those dealers and installers who contract with a property owner, subscriber, or customer to perform alarm system monitoring services and then subcontract with another alarm system monitoring company to provide the actual monitoring service.
"Alarm user"
means a person having or maintaining an alarm system on real property owned, possessed, or controlled by such user. "Alarm user" does include alarm businesses and alarm system monitoring companies if they maintain an operating alarm system on the alarm business property within the city.
"Applicant"
means a person who files an application for a new or renewal permit as provided in this chapter.
"Audible alarm"
means an alarm system that generates an audible sound on the premises when it is actuated.
"Automatic shutoff device"
means a mechanism that will cause the alarm system to shutoff and reset within 15 minutes.
"City"
means the City of Roseville.
"Direct dial telephone alarm"
means a device which automatically telephones the Roseville police department and delivers a prerecorded message upon the detection of an unauthorized entry or illegal act.
"Duress alarm" or "holdup alarm"
means an alarm signal generated by manual activation of a device intended to signal a life threatening or emergency situation requiring a police response.
"Excessive false alarms"
means four or more false alarms within a rolling 12-month period. Alarms caused by power outage, severe storms, earthquakes, or other violent acts of nature shall not be included in determining an excessive false alarm.
"False alarm"
means an alarm signal necessitating response by the Roseville police department where a life threatening or emergency situation does not exist.
"Notice"
means written notice, served either by personal service or by United States mail, first class postage prepaid, addressed to the person to be notified at the last known address. Service of such notice shall be effective upon the completion of personal service or 48 hours after the placing of the notice in the custody of United States Postal Service.
"Permittee"
means any person granted a permit as provided herein, and his, her or its agents and representatives.
"Person"
means any natural person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, or similar entity.
"Police chief"
means the police chief of the City of Roseville or designee.
"Siren"
means any audible noise similar to that which must be sounded by an authorized emergency vehicle under the conditions set forth in Section 21055 of the California Vehicle Code.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015; Ord. 7018, 12/17/2025)
The police chief may prescribe minimum standards and regulations for the construction and maintenance of all alarm systems installed within the city. All devices shall meet or exceed such standards and regulations before permits may be issued pursuant to this chapter. The police chief may require inspection and approval of all alarm systems installed within the city.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015)
A. 
Sirens Prohibited. It is unlawful to use, maintain, or install an alarm system that emits the sound of a siren. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the use of certain electronic horns or howlers that may be approved by the police chief, provided that they do not emit a sound similar to a siren.
B. 
Automatic Shutoff Required. Every audible alarm system shall have an automatic shutoff device that shall be adjusted so that an external audible alarm signal will sound for no longer than 15 minutes after being activated.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015)
A. 
Police response to private alarm sites in the city is a privilege available only to those alarm users who have a valid alarm system permit.
B. 
Individual Users. It is unlawful for any person to operate, or to cause to be operated, an alarm system within the city without obtaining an active and valid alarm permit within 14 days of connecting or commencing to operate an alarm system. An active and valid alarm system permit shall be kept in full force and effect at all times the alarm system remains connected and operational. Upon registration, each alarm permit shall be assigned a permit number.
C. 
Alarm Company/Installers. At the time of installation and/or connection, an alarm company shall verify whether the alarm user has obtained a valid alarm permit. While an alarm company may install an alarm system at an alarm site prior to the alarm user obtaining an alarm permit, where the alarm user has not yet obtained a valid alarm permit, the alarm company shall require that the alarm system user obtain such permit within 14 days of connecting or commencing to operate the alarm system, and that the alarm user verify the existence of such permit with the alarm company. If the alarm user fails to verify the existence of a current and valid permit for the alarm site within the 14 days following connection or commencement of the alarm system, the alarm company shall disconnect or deactivate the alarm system until a valid permit is obtained.
D. 
Alarm System Monitoring Company. No monitoring company providing monitoring service to alarm sites in the city shall activate alarm monitoring service or initiate alarm dispatch requests for any alarm site in the city that is not properly permitted.
E. 
Any person found operating an alarm system without a permit shall obtain a permit within 30 days of the police department's mailing of a notice to obtain permit, and shall pay the permit fee, including late fees, in the amounts established by resolution adopted by the city council, as amended from time to time. In addition, any non-registration 120 days past due will be sent to collections for processing. The alarm administrator may waive a late fee upon a showing of good cause, which shall be determined in the sole discretion of the police chief or alarm administer.
F. 
Failure to acquire and/or maintain an alarm permit as required by this chapter is unlawful.
G. 
Payment of Fee. A non-registration fee invoice shall be mailed with the notice to obtain permit to the alarm user within 30 days following the assessment of the fee. Fees are due and owing no later than 30 days after the date of the invoice; fees received after that date shall be subject to additional fees as provided in subsection E.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015; Ord. 5800 § 18, 2017; Ord. 7018, 12/17/2025)
The provisions of this chapter are not applicable to audible alarms affixed to motor driven vehicles.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015)
A. 
The Roseville police department shall prescribe the form of the application and request such information as is necessary to evaluate and act upon the alarm permit application.
B. 
Applications for alarm permits required by this chapter shall be filed with the Roseville police department and shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee as established by resolution adopted by the city council, as amended from time to time. After the initial two-year permit period, renewal permits are required and will be valid for two additional years. The renewal permit shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee as established by resolution adopted by the city council, as amended from time to time.
C. 
The application for an alarm permit shall contain an agreement, which the applicant must sign before the permit can be issued, whereby the applicant agrees to reimburse the city for costs resulting from excessive false alarms, as well as all costs related to the collection of alarm registrations. The cost recovery shall be accomplished through reimbursement payments as set out in Section 10.64.160 of this chapter.
D. 
Upon receipt of the application, fees, and copy of signed agreement, the alarm administrator or designee shall issue an alarm permit number to the user.
E. 
The alarm permit number assigned to an alarm user will remain the same for as long as the alarm user continuously maintains registration for the alarm site.
F. 
Permits may be renewed under the following conditions:
1. 
The alarm site has no past due service fees;
2. 
The alarm site permit is not suspended;
3. 
The alarm site permit is not revoked;
4. 
The alarm user either updates his or her permit information, or verifies that the current permit information is still correct; and
5. 
The appropriate permit fee is paid.
G. 
Renewal information and fees are submitted to the alarm administrator, or designee, on or before the initial registration anniversary date every two years.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015; Ord. 5800 § 19, 2017)
A. 
Alarm Company or Installer. It shall be the responsibility of the alarm installer or reinstaller to instruct the permittee in the requirements of this chapter, the proper use and operation of such device or alarm, whether silent or audible, including specifically all necessary instruction in turning off said alarm.
B. 
Permittee. After the initial installation, it shall be the responsibility of the permittee to instruct those individuals authorized by the permittee to use the alarm in the proper use and operation of such device or alarm, whether silent or audible.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015)
A. 
The application for an alarm permit shall be on a form provided by the alarm administrator and accompanied by the fee required under Section 10.64.110(B) of this chapter. The information in the application form shall include, but not be limited to, the location of the alarm system (e.g., street address); name, address and telephone number of the alarm user; the number, type and location of the alarm system(s) at the location; the name, address; and such other information as the alarm administrator may reasonably deem necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this chapter.
B. 
If during any calendar year, an alarm user changes or contracts with another alarm company or monitoring company for monitoring services at a particular alarm site, or if an alarm company or monitoring company assigns or transfers an alarm user’s account to another alarm company or monitoring company, such transfer or assignment shall be reported to the alarm administrator in writing by the alarm business or monitoring company to which the transfer or assignment is made within 30 calendar days of the effective date of such transfer or assignment. Notice of the assignment or transfer shall be provided to the alarm administrator.
C. 
In addition to the information required under subsection B, each alarm company or monitoring company shall submit in a biannual report to the alarm administrator or designee, a current list of all alarm systems within the city that are monitored by the company. The information in the report shall include, but not be limited to, the location of each alarm system monitored by the alarm company or monitoring company (e.g., street address); the name, address and telephone number of the alarm user; the number, type, and location of alarm systems at that location; the name, address and telephone number of an emergency contact person for such location; the locations (e.g., street address) that are no longer monitored by the company; and such other information as the alarm administrator reasonably deems necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this chapter.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015)
A. 
False Alarm. A false alarm, for which the city assesses a false alarm response fee, is not punishable as a misdemeanor, infraction, or administrative citation under this code.
B. 
Penalties. Except as provided in subsection A of this section, violations of the provisions of this chapter may be charged as an administrative citation or infraction, at the discretion of the city attorney.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015; Ord. 7018, 12/17/2025)
A. 
The city may assess a false alarm response fee for each police response to a false alarm. The amount of such fee shall be established as provided in Section 10.64.160 of this chapter.
B. 
A false alarm response fee shall not be assessed if the alarm company, monitoring company or alarm user promptly notifies police dispatch that a police response is not necessary prior to the arrival of police officers at the alarm site.
C. 
The alarm user shall be liable for the false alarm response fee.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015)
Prior to requesting police response to an alarm site, an alarm system monitoring company must make two or more telephone calls, first to the alarm site and an additional call or calls to any alternate telephone number to verify the veracity of an alarm signal, before requesting a police response to the premises. The purpose of enhanced call verification is to reduce the number of false alarms.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015)
A. 
Whenever the police department responds to a false alarm, the alarm user shall reimburse the city in accordance with a schedule of fees established by resolution adopted by the city council, as amended from time to time.
B. 
Fees are cumulative and determined by the combined number of both burglary and duress/robbery false alarms.
C. 
Failure to promptly reimburse the city shall be deemed a breach of contract and a civil debt owed to the city.
D. 
Only alarm users with a valid alarm permit are entitled to one free false alarm without reimbursement to the city per rolling 365-day period.
E. 
Reimbursement may be waived by the police chief or designee where uncommon circumstances not considered an emergency resulted in a false alarm and where the permittee has taken measures to correct alarm system deficiencies.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015; Ord. 5800 § 20, 2017)
Unless there is a separate indication that there is a crime in progress, the police chief may refuse police response to an alarm site after the denial, suspension or revocation of an alarm permit. The following shall constitute grounds for denial, suspension and/or revocation of the alarm permit:
A. 
An alarm site has generated four or more excessive false alarms; or
B. 
Failure to pay fees and/or charges imposed as a result of excessive false alarms at any alarm site; or
C. 
Failure to pay registration fees, biennial renewal fees or any past due and outstanding fees associated with the alarm permit; or
D. 
Failure to comply with standards or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter; or
E. 
Where the applicant, permittee, or the employee or agent of the applicant or permittee has knowingly made any false, misleading, or fraudulent statement of a material fact in the application for a permit or in any report or record required to be filed with any city agency. This section shall not apply to robbery or duress alarms.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015)
A. 
If the police chief denies the issuance of a permit, suspends or revokes a permit issued under this chapter, the police chief shall serve the permittee with a written order stating the reasons for the denial, suspension or revocation of the permit. The order shall be effective immediately upon service and, unless there is a separate indication that there is a crime in progress, the police chief may refuse police response to the alarm site after the suspension or revocation of an alarm permit.
B. 
It is unlawful to use any alarm system after service of notice of denial, suspension, or revocation of an alarm permit.
C. 
The police chief may reconsider the denial, suspension or revocation of a permit or reinstate a suspended permit, provided that within 45 days of the denial or suspension, the applicant or permittee shall establish to the satisfaction of the police chief that the alarm system will be operated in compliance with this chapter, by complying with the following:
1. 
Provide a letter from an alarm company licensed by the state of California indicating that the alarm has been completely checked and any mechanical malfunctions have been repaired;
2. 
Agree that an agent of the business, or, if the alarm is residential, a responsible party, shall respond to the alarm site within 30 minutes of notification, each time the alarm is activated;
3. 
Review correct alarm setting procedures with every resident, agent, employee or other person who may be responsible for user error alarm activations;
4. 
Pay in full all outstanding fines and/or charges associated with the alarm permit;
5. 
Pay in full all outstanding excessive false alarm fees or charges; and
6. 
Other reasonable procedures or requirements as may be established by the police chief.
D. 
Any denial to issue a permit which has not been appealed within 45 days of such denial shall be final. Any suspended permit which is not reinstated within 45 days shall automatically be deemed revoked. No revoked permit shall be reissued until six months after the revocation, at which time a new application may be filed pursuant to Section 10.64.110. The police chief’s decision to suspend a permit shall suspend police response for non-duress and non-robbery alarms at that alarm site for the period of suspension.
E. 
The decision of the police chief to deny an application for a permit, suspend a permit, or refuse to reinstate a permit may be appealed in writing by any interested person to the city council within 15 calendar days of the decision upon the payment of an appeal fee as established by resolution adopted by the city council, as amended from time to time, to the city clerk, no part of which shall be refundable. The 45-day period for suspended permits shall be tolled during the pendency of any such appeal.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015; Ord. 5800 § 21, 2017)
The United States, the state of California, counties, municipal corporations, departments thereof and other governmental entities are exempt from application fees required in Section 10.64.110.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015)
Any alarm system is a public nuisance:
A. 
When the alarm system generates an audible sound on the premises for a period longer than 15 minutes;
B. 
When the alarm system generates excessive false alarms.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015)
All remedies shall be cumulative, and the use of one or more remedies by the city shall not bar the use of any other remedy for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 5558 § 1, 2015)