For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply.
"Alarm system" means any mechanical or electrical device which is designed or used for the detection of an unauthorized entry into a building, structure or facility, or upon land, or for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act within a building, structure or facility or upon land; and which emits a sound or transmits a signal or message when actuated. Alarm systems include, but are not limited to, automatic telephone dialing devices, hard lines, audible alarms and proprietor alarms. Devices which are not designed or used to register alarms that are audible, visible or perceptible outside of the protected land, building, structure or facility are not included within this definition, nor are auxiliary devices installed by the telephone company to protect telephone company systems which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system.
"Audible alarm" means a device designed for the detection of unauthorized entry on premises which generates an audible sound on the premises when it is activated.
"Automatic telephone dialing device" means a device which is interconnected to a telephone line and is programmed to select a predetermined telephone number and transmit by voice message or digital signal an emergency message indicating a need for emergency response.
"False alarm" means a report received by the police department from any source resulting in a response by the police department to the premises on which an alarm system is located, where an emergency situation does not exist.
"First and initial false alarm" means the first occurrence in which the police department responds to the premises and there is a false alarm as defined in this chapter.
"Hard line" means a telephone or other line leading directly from the premises protected by an alarm device, or from an alarm central station to the police department's communication center where the line is used solely to report the existence of circumstances necessitating police response.
"Premises" means any private, residential, commercial, or industrial land and/or buildings located within the city (excluding land or buildings owned, rented, or leased by the federal, state or local government) except school districts.
"Proprietor alarm" means an alarm which is not serviced by an alarm business.
"Responsible party" means any person, firm partnership, company, association, or corporation, or school district, or any owner or lessee of premises on which an alarm system is installed or maintained, or the agent or representative of the above, which or who utilizes an alarm system on premises located within the city.
"Three hundred sixty-five-day period" means the period of time commencing upon the occurrence of a first and initial false alarm, and terminating three hundred sixty-five (365) consecutive days thereafter.
(Ord. 93 § 1 (part), 1993: Ord. 3 § 1 (part), 1991: prior code § 11.60.001)