(A) A permitted alarm user will not be assessed a service fee for the first three false alarm responses within a permit year, except as provided in subsection (E) of this section.
(B) An alarm user shall pay a service fee of $150.00 for each false intrusion/burglar alarm, duress/hold-up alarm, or manually activated emergency assistance alarm notification emitted from an alarm system that is in excess of three false alarms in a permit year; $300.00 for each false fire, smoke, carbon monoxide or heat alarm notification emitted from an alarm system in a business in excess of three false alarms within a permit year; and $150.00 for each false fire, smoke, carbon monoxide or heat alarm notification emitted from an alarm system in a residence in excess of three false alarms within a permit year.
(C) If multiple alarms are caused by a single technical malfunction in a single alarm system for a period up to 72 hours, the alarm user shall be assessed a service fee for no more than one false alarm per day (24-hour period) up to 72 hours. After 72 hours, the alarm user shall be assessed a service fee for each additional false alarm activation.
(D) For fire, smoke, carbon monoxide or heat false alarms in excess of two false alarms in a permit year, commercial Alarm Users shall be referred by the False Alarm Reduction Unit to the Albuquerque Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office for inspection pursuant to § 14-2-1 et seq., ROA 1994, Fire Code of the city, as amended.
(E) If cancellation from the alarm system monitoring business occurs prior to Public Safety Officers arriving at the alarm site, this is not a false alarm for the purpose of service fees and no service fees will be assessed; however, no cancellation shall be permitted for calls that are dispatched priority one.
(F) After ten false alarms in a permit year, because the alarm user has not taken the necessary steps to address the cause of the false alarms, the alarm user will be assessed a fine of $500.00 for each additional false alarm in excess of ten.
(G) The alarm user shall be given written notice of any fees and fines chargeable under this section. Such fees and fines shall be paid to the False Alarm Reduction Unit within 30 calendar days of the date of the notice of fees and fines due, unless the alarm user requests a hearing pursuant to the provisions in the IHO Ordinance, ROA 1994, Chapter 2, Article 7, Part 8, in which event the payment of the fees shall be suspended pending the decision of the Hearing Officer.
(Ord. 8-2003; Am. Ord. 2023-015)