The purpose of this chapter is to regulate excessive false fire alarms and malicious false fire alarms. Such regulation is necessary to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the people. The purpose of this chapter is also to encourage fire alarm users to reduce the high number of false fire alarms by:
1. 
Repairing or correcting defective or overly sensitive fire alarms;
2. 
Training themselves and their business employees or family members in the proper and careful use of the fire alarm; and
3. 
Installing good quality, reliable fire alarms.
(O2022-004, 2/1/22)
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
"Excessive false fire alarm"
means the third false fire alarm at the same location within 180 consecutive days.
"False fire alarm"
means the activation of a fire alarm not caused by heat, smoke, or fire, which results in a response. A false fire alarm does not include the following:
1. 
The activation of a fire alarm caused by an act of nature or natural disaster (e.g., earthquake, severe windstorms, floods).
2. 
The activation of a fire alarm caused by mechanical failure or malfunction of the fire alarm provided that the responsible person provides the Fire Chief with a completed report of service/repair verifying to the reasonable satisfaction of the Fire Chief that:
a. 
The fire alarm has been examined by a qualified fire alarm technician; and
b. 
The fire alarm technician identified and corrected any defect of design, installation, or improper operation of the fire alarm which was identified as the cause of the false fire alarm.
"Fire alarm"
means a system, device, or other mechanism that alerts the Fire Department to heat, smoke or fire or any other type of emergency.
"Fire Chief"
means the Fire Chief of the City or a designee of the Fire Chief or the City Manager.
"Malicious false fire alarm"
is the deliberate sending or reporting of a false fire alarm.
"Response"
means the dispatch of any officer, employee, or agent of the City's Fire Department to the premises following the activation of a fire alarm.
"Responsible person"
is defined in Section 1.16.010 of this code.
(O2022-004, 2/1/22)
A. 
Each excessive false fire alarm is a violation of this chapter.
B. 
Each malicious false fire alarm is a violation of this chapter.
C. 
Fines for a violation of this chapter shall be established by resolution of the City Council.
(O2022-004, 2/1/22)
A. 
If the Fire Chief determines that a malicious false fire alarm has occurred, the Fire Chief may initiate an enforcement action against the responsible person in accordance with Section 1.16.010 of this code.
B. 
If the Fire Chief determines that a false fire alarm has occurred, the Fire Chief shall provide a written notice to the responsible person that includes the date and time of the response and a statement that the alarm was a "false fire alarm." The notice shall also notify the responsible person that more than two false fire alarms within 180 consecutive days is a violation of this chapter and will subject the responsible person to enforcement, including fines. The notice may be left at the premises at the time of the response or provided in accordance with Section 1.24.100 of this code.
C. 
A responsible person may contest the Fire Chief's determination of a false fire alarm within 30 days of receipt of the notice provided pursuant to subsection A by submitting a written request for reconsideration, along with supporting documentation, demonstrating to the reasonable satisfaction of the Fire Chief that the activation of the alarm was not a false fire alarm. The Fire Chief will make a final decision on the request for reconsideration and notify the responsible person in writing of the Fire Chief's decision within a reasonable time of receiving the request to reconsider. The Fire Chief's final decision under this subsection C shall be appealable only if it results in an enforcement action for an excessive false fire alarm under subsection D.
D. 
If the Fire Chief determines that an excessive false fire alarm has occurred, the Fire Chief may initiate any enforcement action against the responsible person in accordance with Section 1.16.010 of this code.
E. 
If the responsible person is dissatisfied with an enforcement action taken by the Fire Chief under this section, the responsible person may appeal the Fire Chief's decision in accordance with Chapter 1.26 of this code.
(O2022-004, 2/1/22)