(a) No person shall install, cause to be installed, use, or operate an audible alarm system affixed to a motor vehicle unless the alarm system is equipped with an automatic shutoff which shuts off the alarm within a maximum of five minutes from the time of activation. Such alarm may not emit a sound similar to the sound emitted by sirens in use on emergency vehicles or to those used for civil defense purposes. For purposes of this Section, any variable tone, as opposed to one steady pitch, shall be considered similar to the sound emitted by an emergency vehicle siren.
(b) The Police Department is authorized to abate the nuisance of an audible alarm system affixed to a motor vehicle which sounds beyond five minutes by using any means necessary to disconnect the vehicle alarm; provided, however, that a police officer shall attempt to contact the vehicle's owner, by telephone or otherwise, before disconnecting the alarm. The expense of disconnecting the alarm shall be a lien against the motor vehicle and shall be the personal obligation of the owner thereof.
(c) Except as provided in this Section, the provisions of this Article are otherwise not applicable to alarm systems affixed to motor vehicles. Audible vehicle alarms are, however, subject to the requirements of Article 29 which prohibits unnecessary, excessive and offensive noise from all sources.
(Added by Ord. 154-02, File No. 021078, App. 7/12/2002)
(Former Sec. 3703 amended by Ord. 325-84, App. 7/6/84; Ord. 126-96, App. 4/3/96; repealed by Ord. 154-02, File No. 021078, App. 7/12/2002)