(A) No alarm user shall operate, or cause to be operated an alarm system at its alarm site without an alarm permit issued in accordance with the provisions of this section. A separate alarm permit is required for each alarm site.
(B) Any person wishing to obtain an alarm permit shall apply on a form provided by the Alarm Administrator and shall be accompanied by an application fee in the amount established from time to time by resolution of the City Council. Each alarm permit application must include the following information:
(1) The name, complete address, and telephone numbers of the person who will be the permit holder and be responsible for the proper maintenance and operation of the alarm system and payment of fees assessed under this chapter;
(2) The classification of the alarm site as either residential (includes apartment, condo, mobile home, etc.) or commercial;
(3) For each alarm system located at the alarm site, the classification of the alarm system (i.e., burglary, holdup, duress, panic alarms or other) and for each classification whether such alarm is audible or silent;
(4) Mailing address, if different from the address of the alarm site;
(5) Any dangerous or special conditions present at the alarm site;
(6) Names and telephone numbers of at least two individuals who are able and have agreed to:
(a) Receive notification of an alarm system activation at any time;
(b) Respond to the alarm site within 45 minutes at any time; and
(c) Upon request can grant access to the alarm site and deactivate the alarm system if necessary;
(7) Type of business conducted at a commercial alarm site;
(8) Signed certification from the alarm user stating the following:
(a) The date of installation, conversion or takeover of the alarm system, whichever is applicable;
(b) The name, address, and telephone number of the alarm installation company or companies performing the alarm system installation, conversion or takeover and of the alarm installation company responsible for providing repair service to the alarm system;
(c) The name, address, and telephone number of the monitoring company if different from the alarm installation company;
(d) That a set of written operating instructions for the alarm system, including written guidelines on how to avoid false alarms, have been left with the applicant by the alarm installation company; and
(e) That the alarm installation company has trained the applicant in proper use of the alarm system, including instructions on how to avoid false alarms.
(9) Any additional information requested by the Alarm Administrator.
(C) An application for an alarm permit shall be processed by the Alarm Administrator within 30 days of receipt. The permit may be denied by the Alarm Administrator on any one of the following grounds:
(1) The applicant fails to provide the information required by § 131.003(B);
(2) The applicant or the applicant’s agent has knowingly made any false, misleading or fraudulent statement of a material fact in the application for a permit;
(3) The applicant has failed to pay a fine or fee assessed under this chapter; or
(4) The applicant has had an alarm permit for the alarm site suspended or revoked, and the violation causing the suspension or revocation has not been corrected.
(D) Revocation of permit.
(1) The Alarm Administrator may revoke an alarm permit issued pursuant to this section if, after investigation, the Alarm Administrator determines that the applicant has:
(a) Made any false statement or given any false information in connection with an application for an alarm user permit; or
(b) Violated any of the provisions of this chapter, including but not limited to, the permittee’s failure to pay any false alarm fines.
(2) In the event the Alarm Administrator determines that it is necessary to suspend or revoke a permit, the Alarm Administrator shall send a notice of intent to suspend or revoke the permit to the permittee informing him that the permit shall be suspended or revoked 14 business days following the date of such notice of intent. The notice shall include the reason for suspension or revocation and a statement of the right to appeal the decision of the Alarm Administrator to the Hearing Officer. The suspension or revocation shall be effective 14 calendar days from and after the service of the notice. During that 14-day period, the permittee may appeal the decision of the Alarm Administrator to the Hearing Officer as provided in § 131.003(E).
(E) Appeal to Hearing Officer. Any person, whose permit is suspended or revoked, may file an appeal with the City Clerk within 14 calendar days from the date of the mailing of notice of revocation. The permit shall remain in effect while the appeal is being processed and heard by the Hearing Officer. The Hearing Officer shall make his or her decision on the basis of the preponderance of the credible evidence presented at the appeal hearing and shall render a decision within ten business days of the hearing to either affirm, reverse, or modify the action of the Alarm Administrator. Notice of this decision shall be sent to the permittee. The Hearing Officer’s decision after such hearing shall be final and conclusive. If a permit is revoked under this section, the permittee may be issued a new permit if the reason for the revocation is removed, the Alarm Administrator is notified in writing of such removal, and the former permittee follows the procedure set forth herein for applying for an alarm Permit.
(F) Any alarm user who knowingly operates or causes a false alarm to occur after his or her alarm permit has been suspended or revoked shall be subject to civil and or criminal penalties.
(G) An alarm permit cannot be transferred to another person or alarm site. An alarm user shall inform the Alarm Administrator of any change that alters any of the information listed on the alarm permit application within five business days of such change.
(H) All fines and fees owed by an applicant must be paid before an alarm permit may be issued or renewed.
(I) An alarm user with an installed alarm system on the effective date of the ordinance adopting this chapter shall apply for a permit as required herein within 90 days of such effective date.
(Ord. 1608, passed 4-4-12)