"Alarm system"
shall mean any device, designed to detect an unauthorized entry on or into any building, place or premises or to signal an attempted robbery or burglary at a protected premises, or both, which when activated emits a sound and/or transmits a signal or message to a central alarm station or directly to the Police Department's communications center for the purpose of obtaining a response by police. Devices not designed for use to register alarms audible or visible on the outside of the protected building, structure or facility, are not included within this definition; nor are auxiliary devices installed by the telephone company to protect telephone company systems which might be damaged or disrupted by use of an alarm system. No alarm device shall transmit to the Mill Valley Police Department live or recorded voices not capable of two-way communication on any telephone line not designated specifically for this purpose.
"Audible alarm"
shall mean a device designated for detection of unauthorized entry on premises which, when activated, generates an audible sound on the premises.
"False alarm"
shall mean an alarm signal produced by an alarm system and necessitating response by the Mill Valley Police Department where an unauthorized entry or attempted entry on or into any building, place or premises, or robbery/burglary at a protected premises has not occurred.
"Police Department"
shall mean the Police Department of the City of Mill Valley, and the "Chief of Police" shall mean the Chief of Police of such City or his/her authorized representative.
"Licensee"
means any person who shall be granted a business license for an alarm business as provided in Chapter 5.08 of this Code, and his or her agents and representatives.
"Owner"
shall mean the person who owns and/or occupies the premises served by an alarm device.
"Alarm business"
shall mean the business of an individual, partnership, corporation or other entity of: selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving, or installing any alarm system or causing to be sold, leased, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, moved or installed any alarm system in or on any building, structure or facility.
Public Nuisance.
An alarm system shall constitute a public nuisance if it falsely activates more than the below listed number of false alarms, except that alarms activated during the first 30 days after the initial installation of the system will not be counted as false alarms.
1. 
Three false alarms in any 30-day period; or
2. 
Five false alarms in any 90-day period; or
3. 
Six false alarms in any 180-day period.
(Ord. 979, May 18, 1981; Ord. 1261 § 6, November 4, 2013)
The owner of premises having an alarm system shall instruct all persons having access to the premises in the proper use and operation of said alarm, including specifically all necessary instruction in turning on and off said alarm and in avoiding false alarms. The owner shall notify the City Police Department communications center whenever an alarm system is under service or repair where in the process of service or repair, the system may be activated, causing a police response.
(Ord. 979, May 18, 1981)
Every owner maintaining an audible alarm shall post a notice containing the names and telephone numbers of the persons to be notified to render repairs or service and secure the premises during any hour of the day or night that the burglar alarm is activated. Such notice shall be posted near the alarm in such a position as to be legible from the ground level adjacent to the building where the alarm system is located. The alarm system must be equipped with an automatic shut-off device which shall silence the alarm within 15 minutes, and on U.L. certificated systems, 30 minutes.
(Ord. 979, May 18, 1981)
It is unlawful to install on the exterior or interior of a building an alarm system which upon activation emits a sound exceeding 80 decibels (when measured from outside the premises), which is similar to sirens in use on emergency vehicles or for civil defense purposes.
(Ord. 979, May 18, 1981)
No person shall engage in, conduct or carry on an alarm business within the City without first obtaining a City business license under Section 5.34.100 and also a state alarm company operator license in accordance with the provisions of Division 3, Chapter II, of the Business and Professions Code (Sections 7500, et seq.), and filing a copy of such state license with the City Finance Department. In the event its state license is suspended, revoked, or otherwise rendered invalid by the state issuing authority, the alarm business shall notify the City Finance Department in writing of such state action within three days thereof, with a copy to the Police Department.
(Ord. 979, May 18, 1981)
The owner and/or licensee of an alarm system which constitutes a public nuisance as defined in this chapter shall be notified by the Chief of Police that the Police Department is under no obligation to respond to the premises of an alarm which constitutes a public nuisance. Such notice of public nuisance shall be prepared by the Chief of Police or his/her delegate and deposited in the United States mail within 48 hours after such alarm has been constituted as a public nuisance. The owner of an audible alarm system shall be required to deactivate the audible portion of the system, upon notification that the system is a public nuisance.
The owner or licensee shall have the right to appeal the notice of non-response. Such appeal shall be in writing, shall state the basis of the appeal, and shall be filed with the Chief of Police not later than 30 days after notice of no obligation to respond to the alarm premises. Upon receipt of such appeal, the Chief of Police may conduct such investigation thereof as he or she deems necessary and shall afford to the appellant reasonable opportunity to present evidence in support of such appeal. The decision of the Chief of Police shall be final.
(Ord. 979, May 18, 1981; Ord. 1261 § 6, November 4, 2013)
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00, or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both such fine and imprisonment.
(Ord. 979, May 18, 1981)