For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
(a) Alarm Business. The business by any individual, partnership, corporation, or other entity of selling, leasing, maintaining, monitoring, administering, servicing, repairing, and/or installing any alarm system in or on any building, structure or facility.
(b) Alarm Site. A single premises or location served by an alarm system or systems. Each tenancy, if served by a separate alarm system in a multi-tenant building or complex, shall be considered a separate alarm.
(c) Alarm System. Any assembly of equipment, mechanical or electrical, designed to signal the occurrence of a robbery, attempted robbery, burglary, or an attempted burglary or another life hazard at the protected premises, requiring urgent attention, and to which the police are expected to respond. For the purposes of this division, the term "Alarm System" includes all systems which are designed to attract the attention and response of the police, including bells, horns, sirens, and lights, which are either audible or visible beyond the lot limits of the protected premises. "Alarm System" does not include a vehicle alarm or any equipment signaling a medical emergency.
(d) False Alarm. An alarm (such as a fire or burglar alarm) that is set off needlessly. Something causing alarm or excitement that proves to be unfounded.
(e) Alarm User. The individual or entity of any kind who or which is:
(1) An owner (or lessee) and also the user of an alarm system, as the occupant of the premises where the system is installed (the "Premises");
(2) The owner (or lessee) of such premises which is occupied by another person or entity, if there is no written contract stating that the occupant (rather than the owner or lessee of the premises) is to be responsible for the alarm system;
(3) The occupant of such premises if there is a written agreement stating that the occupant is responsible for the alarm system;
(4) Individual or entity of any kind which is in control of any building, structure, or facility wherein an alarm system is maintained
(f) Automatic Dialing Device. A device which is interconnected to a telephone line and is programmed to select a predetermined telephone number and transmit a voice message or code signal an emergency message indicating the need for an emergency response.
(g) Emergency Alarm Button or Panic/Holdup Switches. An alarm system device that requires purposeful activation (tripping) for signaling and alerting the police of a robbery, burglary/attempted robbery, attempted burglary, or serious life hazardous criminal activity.
(h) False Alarm.
(1) The Activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improperly installed or improperly maintained alarm system equipment, or the negligence of the owner or lessee of an alarm system or his employees or agent. False alarms shall not include those resulting from causes identified and determined beyond the control of the owner or lessee (force majeure). An alarm canceled by the operator or user within three (3) minutes of activation shall not be considered a false alarm.
(2) An alarm system that is activated multiple times within a 12-hour period when the premises are unoccupied shall be deemed one false alarm if:
A. Access to the building is provided to the alarm system contractor; and
B. An alarm system contractor or an employee of the contractor responds.
C. Failure to comply with subsections (h)(2)A. and B. shall result in each subsequent alarm being counted as a false alarm.
(3) The responding Agency will determine if the event is reported as a false alarm and will document such event.
(i) Interconnect. To connect an alarm system, including and automatic dialing device, to a telephone line, either directly or through a mechanical device that utilizes the telephone, for the purpose of using the telephone line to transmit a message upon the activation of the alarm system.
(j) Local Alarms. Those alarm systems which activate an audible signal within the proximity of the protected premises only, which are designed to directly or indirectly attract the attention of police.
(k) Panic Alarms. An automatic alarm system signaling a robbery, attempted robbery, burglary, attempted burglary, or medical or fire emergency.
(Ord. 3184. Passed 7-17-17.)