Sec. 20-12. Definitions. All words and phrases used in this article which are defined in the California Private Investigator and Adjuster Act (Business and Professions Code Section 7500, et seq.) shall have the same meaning as in said article, and certain additional words and phrases used in this article are defined as follows:
(a) Alarm system means any mechanical or electrical device or combination thereof which is designed for the detection of an unauthorized entry on or into any building, place, or premises, or for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act, or both, and which when actuated emits a sound or transmits a signal or message. Alarm systems include, but are not limited to, direct-dial telephone devices, 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 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 destroyed by the use of an alarm system. The provisions of this article are not applicable to alarms affixed to automobiles, boats, boat trailers, or recreational vehicles.
(b) 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.
(c) Communications section means the police department facility used to receive emergency and general information from the public to be dispatched to the respective police units or other emergency equipment.
(d) Day means calendar day.
(e) Direct-dial telephone device (automatic dialing device) means any device which is interconnected to a voice-grade telephone line and is programmed to select a predetermined telephone number and transmits by prerecorded voice message or code signal an emergency response request.
(f) False alarm means an alarm signal, either silent or audible, necessitating response by the police department where an emergency situation for which the alarm system was designed or used does not exist except for activation of an alarm system due to abnormal natural conditions, such as fires, floods, earthquakes, high winds or similar disasters.
(g) Person means any individual, firm, corporation, or other business or nonbusiness entity.
(h) Police alarm board means the alarm-receiving center located in the police department communications section which receives, by direct connection, alarm and trouble signals from subscriber’s alarm systems.
(i) Police chief and police department means the police chief or designee, and the police department, respectively, of the City of Cypress.
(j) Proprietor alarm means any alarm which is not serviced by an alarm company operator and which the police do not normally respond to unless called by telephone after an alarm has indicated evidence requiring law enforcement response.
(k) Subscriber means any person who purchases, leases, contracts for, or otherwise obtains or uses an alarm system.
(Ord. No. 828, § 1, 9-25-89.)
Sec. 20-13. Registration.
(a) No alarm company operator or alarm agent (as defined in Business and Professions Code Section 7590 et seq.), nor their employees, shall install, maintain, or repair any alarm system within the city unless the alarm company operator and/or alarm agent have obtained a business license and filed a copy of their state identification card with the city clerk.
(b) The issuance of an alarm permit shall be in addition to any permit requirements which may be set forth in the National Electrical Code.
(c) The following information shall be included on the alarm permit application of a subscriber to an alarm on a form filed with the city clerk:
- Name, address, and phone number of the alarm company and/or alarm agent installing, maintaining, or repairing their alarm system.
- A description as to the type of alarm (such as, but not limited to silent, audible, direct dialer, or central office).
- Name, address, and telephone number of person to be called pursuant to an alarm activation.
(d) Each subscriber shall give written notice whenever any change occurs in any information required under this section within twenty-four (24) hours after the change is effective.
(e) As prescribed by the master fee schedule, which may be updated by resolution from time to time, business and residential alarm users and subscribers shall pay a fee prior to issuance of an alarm permit.
- Business and residential alarm users and subscribers shall pay a renewal fee as prescribed in the master fee schedule, which may be updated by resolution from time to time, annually thereafter the initial permit fee.
- Notwithstanding these provisions, any person who maintains an unregistered alarm system, business or residential, after receiving a notice to register, and fails to register the alarm system within fifteen (15) days thereafter, shall be subject to pay a fine as prescribed in the master fee schedule, which may be updated by resolution from time to time.
(f) Alarm permits shall be renewed annually on July 1st of each calendar year.
(Ord. No. 828, § 1, 9-25-89; Ord. No. 1103, § 17, 10-27-08; Ord. No. 1118, § 1, 5-10-10; Ord. No. 1182, § 9, 11-25-19.)
Sec. 20-14. Standards for equipment and operation.
(a) All new alarm systems shall meet or exceed the minimum standards for alarm systems as established by this article. All existing alarm systems shall meet these standards within one (1) year of the effective date of Ordinance No. 828, unless the city council modifies the requirement upon a showing of good cause.
(b) All alarm systems terminating at the police alarm board shall include a device which will provide a minimum of thirty (30) seconds’ delay of the original transmission, and activate a signal immediately in such a manner as to be perceptible to a person legitimately entering, leaving, or occupying the premises. Alarm systems not currently equipped with such a delay device must comply with this regulation within ninety (90) days after the effective date of Ordinance No. 828. This regulation shall not apply to alarm systems when activation is accomplished by a manually operated device or panic button.
(c) All alarm systems shall be supplied with an uninterrupted power supply in such a manner that the failure or interruption of the normal electric utility service will not activate the alarm system. Said power supply shall be capable of maintaining operation of the alarm system for a minimum of six (6) hours.
(d) All audible alarm systems shall include a device which will limit the duration of the audible sound to a period of fifteen (15) minutes at a residential location and thirty (30) minutes at a commercial location. Those alarm systems installed prior to the passing of Ordinance No. 828 and not equipped with an automatic deactivator must comply with this requirement within ninety (90) days after the effective date of such ordinance.
(Ord. No. 828, § 1, 9-25-89.)
Sec. 20-15. Approval of alarm systems.
(a) No automatic communication device shall be programmed to the “911” emergency line.
(b) Direct alarm systems shall not be connected to any emergency response agency or the fire department except with the express written permission of the emergency response agency or said department.
(c) No person shall lease, maintain, install, or use any alarm system which automatically direct dials the telephone number of the fire department.
(Ord. No. 858, § 2, 12-10-90.)
Sec. 20-16. False alarms. Any person who has an alarm connected to the police department alarm board, and any person who maintains any alarm system regulated by this article shall be subject to pay the fine(s) for false alarms as prescribed in the master fee schedule, which may be updated by resolution from time to time. (Ord. No. 828, § 1, 9-25-89; Ord. No. 1118, § 2, 5-24-10.)
Sec. 20-17. Testing. A subscriber shall notify the police department prior to any service, test, repair, maintenance, alteration, or installation of an alarm system which might produce a false alarm. An alarm activated subsequent to notification shall not be counted as a false alarm for the purposes of section 20-16. (Ord. No. 828, § 1, 9-25-89.)
Sec. 20-18. Reserved.
Sec. 20-19. Prohibited audible sound alarms. No alarm system shall emit a sound resembling an emergency vehicle siren or civil defense warning. The chief of police shall make the final determination regarding any question of the compliance of an audible alarm within this section. (Ord. No. 828, § 1, 9-25-89.)
Sec. 20-20. Prohibition of certain direct dialing devices. No person shall install, use, or maintain any alarm system which directly dials any telephone number in any office of the City of Cypress. All systems which directly dial telephone numbers in any office of the city, and which are in existence prior to the effective date of Ordinance No. 828 shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of the ordinance, be eliminated or the system shall be reprogrammed by the owner or operator of said system to dial another number. (Ord. No. 828, § 1, 9-25-89.)
Sec. 20-21. Duties and obligations not created. Nothing in this article shall be construed to impose upon the city or any officer or employee of the city, and duty or any obligation of any kind to a subscriber or any other person. (Ord. No. 828, § 1, 9-25-89.)
Sec. 20-22. Discontinuance of response to alarms.
(a) The chief of police may discontinue response by police officers to an alarm at a location when any of the following conditions exist: [1.] When there are more than six (6) fines imposed against a specific location for false alarms, within a period of twelve (12) months. [2.] When a fine for a false or unregistered alarm has been levied against an alarm location, and the party responsible for payment of the fine fails to pay said fine within fifteen (15) days following notification by city of the imposition of said fine.
(b) At least fifteen (15) days prior to discontinuance of response by police officers, the chief of police shall notify the subscriber by mail of the action. The subscriber may, within ten (10) days after mailing of such notice, request a meeting with the chief of police to present material to rebut the basis of the discontinuance. The subscriber may appeal the decision of the chief of police pursuant to section 20-24 of this article.
(c) Reinstatement will occur when the subscriber and/or the alarm operator and/or alarm agent have remedied the problem causing the false alarms or when a past-due prevention assessment has been paid.
(d) This article is not intended to prevent a police officer from responding to a person who calls and advises of a crime in progress or who is in need of police assistance.
(Ord. No. 828, § 1, 9-25-89.)
Sec. 20-23. Violations.
(a) Any person violating the provisions of this article, excluding sections 20-13(e)(3) and 20-16 hereof, shall be guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00).
(b) Any alarm installed or maintained in violation of this article is declared to be a public nuisance and may be abated as provided by law.
(Ord. No. 828, § 1, 9-25-89.
Sec. 20-24. Appeals.
(a) Whenever an appeal of the decision of the chief of police is provided in this article, the appeal shall be to the city manager, in written form, and filed with the city clerk within ten (10) days of the date of the notice of the police chief’s decision.
(b) If the decision of the chief of police is upheld by the city manager, the person seeking the approval may appeal that decision to the city council within ten (10) days from the date of the notice of the city manager’s decision by filing a written appeal with the city clerk. The decision of the city council shall be final and conclusive in this matter.
(Ord. No. 828, § 1, 9-25-89.)