(A) Permit required. No person shall operate, cause to be operated, install, connect or maintain a fire alarm system or security alarm system at an alarm site or location subject to this chapter unless a fire alarm permit or a security alarm system permit has first been issued by the Fire Alarm Administrator or the Security Alarm Administrator. Any person using or owning an alarm system at the time of the adoption of this chapter shall obtain the required permit. Said permit shall be maintained at the alarm site and displayed in close proximity of the alarm panel(s) and shall be available for inspection. A copy of the permit will be filed with the Fire or Police Department depending on the type of alarm system. There is no fee for the alarm system permit.
(B) Application for permit. The information on the alarm a system application will remain confidential to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The application for an alarm system permit shall state the following:
(1) Name and address of the alarm site;
(2) Full name, address, telephone number of the permittee or person in control of the premises;
(3) The purpose of each alarm system located at an alarm site such as fire, burglary, holdup;
(4) Names, address, and telephone number of one or more persons who are able and agree to receive notification at any time from the Police or Fire Departments to respond to the alarm site, should it become necessary, within 30 minutes;
(5) The date of installation, conversion or takeover of the alarm system, whichever is applicable;
(6) The name, address and phone number of the alarm business performing the alarm system installation, conversion or alarm system takeover and responsible for providing repair service to the alarm system; or if an alarm system user installs and maintains their own alarm system it shall be so stated;
(7) If the alarm system is monitored, the name, address, phone number and state license number of the alarm business monitoring the alarm system if different from the installing alarm business;
(8) 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;
(9) That the alarm business has trained the applicant in the proper use of the alarm system, including instructions on how to avoid false alarms;
(10) A copy of this chapter was left with the applicant; and
(11) If the alarm system is a local or monitored alarm.
(C) False statements. Any false statement or misrepresentation of a material fact made by an applicant for the purpose of obtaining an alarm permit or renewal, or for the purpose of making a change thereto, shall be sufficient cause for refusal to grant or the suspension of a permit.
(D) Issuance. Upon receipt of the completed application form, the fire alarm and/or security alarm administrator shall issue a fire alarm and/or security alarm system permit unless there is reasonable cause not to do so, including but not limited to:
(1) False statements of material matter made by an applicant for the purpose of obtaining an alarm system permit;
(2) The applicant failed to pay fees assessed under § 100.08 of this chapter.
(E) Appeal from denial, suspension or revocation of a permit. The following steps will be used for appealing the denial, suspension or revocation of an alarm system permit:
(1) If the Alarm Administrator denies the issuance of a permit, or suspends or revokes a permit, he or she shall send written notice of this action and a statement of the right to appeal, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to both the applicant or alarm user and the alarm business. Notice shall be mailed to the address listed in the application. If a request for appeal is not made within ten days, the action of the Alarm Administrator is final.
(2) The applicant or alarm user may appeal the decision of the Alarm Administrator to the Director by filing a written request for a review setting forth the reasons for the appeal within ten days after receipt of the notice or public posting when such letter is returned “undeliverable” from the alarm administrator. An alarm business may submit the request for review on behalf of an alarm user.
(3) Filing of a request for appeal shall stay the action by the Alarm Administrator of suspending or revoking an alarm system permit until the Director has completed his or her review of the appeal.
(4) The Director shall consider the evidence by any interested person(s). The Director shall make his or her decision on the basis of a preponderance of the evidence presented, including, but not limited to, certification that the alarm user has been retrained, that a defective part has been repaired or replaced, or that the cause of the false alarm has been otherwise determined and corrected. The Director must render a written decision within 20 days after the request for an appeal hearing is filed. The Director shall affirm, reverse, or modify the action of the Alarm Administrator. The decision of the Director is final as to administrative remedies with the city.
(F) Reinstatement of permit. A person whose alarm system permit has been revoked may be issued a new permit if the person:
(1) Submits an updated application;
(2) Pays, or otherwise resolves, all outstanding fees; and
(3) Submits a certification from an alarm business stating that the alarm system has been inspected and repaired, if necessary, by the alarm business or submits a written certification, in the case of an individual who installs and maintains their own alarm system, signed by the individual and stating that they have inspected the alarm system and made repairs, if necessary. The certification shall list repairs made to the system or steps taken to correct the false alarms.
(G) Transferability. An alarm system permit cannot be transferred to another person.
(H) Duration of permit. Each permit issued to a permittee shall be valid until such time as one of the following occurs:
(1) Control of the alarm site or property is transferred from the permittee; or
(2) The city revokes the permit.
(Ord. 2001-9, passed 6-5-01)