For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALARM AGENT. Any person who is employed by an alarm business either directly or indirectly, whose duties include selling, maintaining, leasing, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing on or in any building structure, facility or grounds any alarm system.
ALARM BUSINESS. Any individual partnership, corporation or other entity who in addition to selling alarm systems, also leases, maintains, services, repairs, alters, replaces, moves or installs any alarm system or causes to be sold, leased, maintained, services, repaired, altered, replaced, moved or installed any alarm system in or on any building, structure, facility or grounds.
ALARM SITE. A single premises or location served by an alarm system.
ALARM SYSTEM.
(1) Any device used for the detection of an unauthorized entry or attempted entry into a building, structure, facility or grounds or for alerting others on the commission of an unlawful act within a building, structure, facility or grounds, which when activated causes notification to be made directly or indirectly to a law enforcement agency.
(2) For the purpose of this chapter, the following shall be considered exempt:
(a) An alarm installed on a motor vehicle;
(b) An alarm installed upon premises occupied by the United States, the state or any political subdivision thereof;
(c) An alarm which signals or alerts only the occupants of the premises protected by the alarm system;
(d) An alarm occurring during electrical storms, hurricanes, tornados, blizzards or other acts of nature; and
(e) Circumstances not reasonably under the control of the alarm user, installer or maintainer (the responsibility to show causation is that of the user, installer or maintainer).
FALSE ALARM. Any alarm notification, whether direct or indirect, to a law enforcement agency, when the responding officer finds no evidence of a criminal offense or attempted offense.
PERMIT HOLDER. The person to whom as alarm system permit is issued.
(BC Ord. 2015-0009, passed 5-18-2015)