506.01: Purpose
506.02: Definitions
506.03: User Fees
506.04: Payment of Fees

The purpose of this Chapter is to provide regulations for the use of burglary, fire and safety alarms, including establishment of use fees for false alarms. (Ord. 1076, 4-23-90)

As used in this Chapter, the following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section:
ALARM SYSTEM: Any alarm installation designed to be used for the prevention or detection of burglary, robbery or fire on the premises which contains an alarm installation. Automobile alarm devices shall not be considered an alarm system under the terms of this Chapter.
ALARM USER: The person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind in control of any building, structure or facility where an alarm system is maintained.
FALSE ALARM: An alarm signal eliciting a response by public safety personnel when a situation requiring a response does not exist and which is caused by the activation of the alarm system through mechanical failure, alarm malfunction, improper installation or the inadvertence of the user of an alarm system or its employees or agents. False alarms do not include alarms caused by climatic conditions such as tornadoes, thunderstorms, utility line mishaps or violent conditions of nature nor do they include alarms caused by third persons over whom the user has no control.
PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL: Duly authorized City employees. (Ord. 1076, 4-23-90)

A. False Alarms: The user of an alarm system who reports more than three false alarms to the Police Department or more than two false alarms to the Fire Department in a single calendar year (and who has received notice of such false alarms) will be charged a fee for each subsequent false alarm as established by the City Fee Schedule in Section 314.05.
B. Appeal: An alarm user required by the City to pay a user fee as a result of a false alarm may make a written appeal of the false alarm user fee to the Chief of Police or Fire Chief, as appropriate, within ten days of notice by the City of the false alarm charge. An adverse decision by the Chief of Police or Fire Chief may be appealed to the City Manager within ten days of receipt of the Chief of Police's or Fire Chief's decision. The City Manager will have authority to make a final determination as to whether or not the user is to be charged a user fee for the false alarms. (Ord. 1076, 4-23-90)

A. Payment of user fees provided for herein must be paid to the City Treasurer within 30 days from the date of notice by the City to the alarm user. Failure to pay the fee within 30 days will result in the imposition of a penalty of ten percent of the user fee.
B. All unpaid user fees and penalties shall be certified as an assessment against the property on which the alarm was located and shall be collected each year along with the taxes on such property. (Ord. 1076, 4-23-90)