(a) Permit and application.
(1) Every alarm user shall obtain a permit for each alarm that operates within the city from the alarm system coordinator (herein "ASC"). An alarm business must obtain a permit under this section only if an alarm is used to protect the premises in which the business is located. The ASC will provide the permit application form. No other permit application form will be accepted.
(2) All alarm businesses doing business in the city shall provide the ASC a current copy of its license pursuant to Chapter 74D of the North Carolina General Statutes and the contact person's name, address and telephone number for the alarm business.
(3) A permit application shall be submitted within 30 days of installation of an alarm system. The ASC shall approve such application if the application complies with the provisions set forth in this article. During this 30-day period, the alarm user will not be subject to the provisions of section 13-32(e)(1).
(4) The person applying for the permit at the time of application shall pay the application set forth in the city's fees and charges manual.
(5) When possession and/or control of a premises with an alarm is transferred, the person obtaining possession and/or control of the premises is required to file an application for a new alarm permit within ten business days of obtaining possession of the property. Permits are not transferable.
(6) Whenever the information provided on the permit application changes, the alarm user must notify the ASC within 30 days of the change. In addition, on an annual basis, after the issuance of the permit, the alarm user will receive from the ASC a form requesting updated information. The permit holder shall complete and return this form to the ASC.
(7) In the interest of public safety, all information contained in and gathered through the alarm permit application(s) and application(s) shall not be considered public records per N.C.G.S. § 132-1.7 and other applicable law.
(b) Denial and revocation.
(1) The ASC may revoke a permit where it is found that the alarm user provided false information on the permit application.
(2) The ASC may revoke a permit if the alarm user does not respond to an alarm activation as required in section 13-34.
(3) The ASC may revoke a permit if the alarm user fails to comply with the provisions in this article.
(c) Permit required. Each permit for a business shall be available at the premises wherein the alarm is installed and shall be available for inspection by the police chief during normal business hours.
(d) Multiple systems. If an alarm user has one or more alarm systems protecting two or more separate structures having different addresses and/or tenants, a separate permit shall be required for each structure and/or tenant.
(e) Failure to obtain a permit.
(1) Any alarm user who operates an alarm without a permit or who has not applied for a permit under this section as required by this article shall be assessed a civil penalty of as stated below:
a. First alarm to which police respond—$0.00 (a warning will be issued and the alarm holder will have ten working days to secure a permit).
b. Second and subsequent alarms to which police respond—$100.00 per occurrence.
(2) The above civil penalty is in addition to those civil penalties listed in section 13-37(b).
(Ord. No. 4384, § 1, 6-22-2021)