(a) Definition. As used in this section, "false alarm" means an emergency alarm, activated by inadvertence, negligence or an unintentional act, including, but not limited to, malfunction of the alarm system, to which the Police Division or the Fire Division responds. This definition excludes false alarms caused by malfunctions of the indicator at the police or fire station; malfunction, testing or repairing of telephone equipment or lines; malfunction, testing or repairing of the normal power supply source for alarms; acts of God, such as earthquake, flood, windstorm, thunder or lightning; an attempted illegal entry, of which there is visible evidence; or the user acting under a sincere belief that a need exists to call the Police Division or the Fire Division. If a doubt exists as to the cause of a false alarm, the Chief of Police or the Fire Chief shall resolve it in favor of the alarm user. Multiple alarms received before the system can be deactivated within a reasonable period of time shall be considered a single alarm.
(b) False Alarm Charge. A charge in accordance with the following schedule shall be imposed for false alarms:
(1) Business, commercial, industrial only. | |
First three false alarms in a 12-month period: | No charge |
Four or more false alarms in a 12-month period: | $150.00 each |
(2) Residential R-3. | |
First three false alarms in a 12-month period: | No charge |
Four or more false alarms in a 12-month period: | $75.00 each |
(3) Multi-family R-1, R-2 and R-4. | |
First three false alarms in a 12-month period: | No charge |
Four or more false alarms in a 12-month period: | $150.00 each |
(c) Notwithstanding the fee to be assessed, as set forth above, no charge shall be made for the first three false alarms in a 12-month period, nor shall there be any charge for a false alarm to which there is no response by the Police Division or the Fire Division, or when the cause has been proven to be an act of God.
(d) A grace period of 30 days from the date of installation of an alarm system shall be granted to new permit holders. During this period, no false alarms shall be counted towards the three allowable false alarms before charges are assessed.
(e) Any charge for a false alarm, as provided for in division (b) of this section, which remains unpaid 30 days after the date of invoice, may result in the cancellation of the permit, if any, plus interest at ten percent per annum.
(Ord. 2016-34. Passed 6-1-16.)