(A) False and/or nuisance alarms are deemed to be a waste of time, manpower, and equipment and create the potential for serious injury to fire company personnel and other responding emergency personnel. FALSE ALARM means the activation of any alarm system which results in a response by the fire company and which is caused by the negligence or intentional misuse of the alarm system by the owner, its employees, agents or any other activation of an alarm system not caused by heat, smoke, or fire, exclusive of a nuisance alarm. NUISANCE ALARM means the activation of any alarm system which results in a response by the fire company, caused by mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, lack of proper maintenance, or any other response for which the fire company is unable to determine the apparent cause of the alarm activation. Alarm activations caused by earthquakes, severe weather, or power outages are not considered false or nuisance alarms.
(B) No fee shall be assessed for the first three false alarms or nuisance alarms at the same premises responded to by the fire company during any 12 consecutive months. Thereafter, the owner shall pay the following fees for false alarms or nuisance alarms responded to by the fire company at the same premises during any 12 consecutive months:
Number of False/Nuisance Alarms | Service Fee per False/Nuisance Alarm |
First to third | $0 |
Fourth | $100 |
Fifth | $200 |
Sixth and above | Doubles each time |
(Ord. 1-2020, passed 12-3-2020)