A.    Alarm System Requirements.

    1.    No alarm system shall be installed or connected on or after the date this chapter becomes effective which emits the sound of a siren similar to those installed in emergency vehicles as described in Section 21055 of the California Vehicle Code. It shall be the responsibility of the alarm owner to change the siren device if, after examination by a police representative, it is found to emit a siren conflicting with emergency vehicle usage as described in Section 21055 of the California Vehicle Code.

    2.    Any alarm system which emits the sound of a siren conflicting with emergency vehicles and which was installed and in operation prior to the effective date of this chapter shall have that part of the alarm system which emits the conflicting sound changed to comply with Section 21055 of the California Vehicle Code and the automatic shut-off requirements of subsection B of this section pertaining to audible alarm systems, within ninety days from the date the ordinance codified in this chapter becomes effective.

    B.    Audible Alarm System Requirements. Any alarm system which is installed or connected on or after the date this chapter becomes effective and which, when activated, generates an audible sound on the premises, shall have as part of the system an automatic shut-off that will deactivate the audible portion of the system within fifteen minutes after it is first activated.

    If the alarm system has an automatic cutoff with a rearming phase the rearming phase must be able to distinguish between an open and closed circuit, and if the circuit is broken, the system shall not rearm.

    C.    Automatic Dialing Device Regulations.

    1.    No automatic dialing device shall be interconnected to a primary trunkline of the communications center or police department after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

    2.    Within sixty days after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, all automatic dialing devices interconnected to a primary trunkline shall be disconnected therefrom. The owner or lessee of such device shall be responsible for having the device disconnected within a sixty-day time period.

    3.    Persons owning or leasing an automatic dialing device may have the device interconnected to a telephone line transmitting directly to:

    a.    A central station;

    b.    A modified central station; or

    c.    An answering service.

    4.    The relaying of messages to the communications center by a modified central station or an answering service shall be over regular telephone lines.

    5.    No automatic dialing device may be interconnected to the telephone company operator.

    D.    New alarm installations by city-licensed alarm owners will have a grace period of forty-five days after the date a system becomes operational before false alarm response charges will be imposed on the alarm owner.

    E.    Notices.

    1.    After the police department has recorded two false alarms in any quarter of any calendar year, generated by any alarm owner, the alarm owner and the alarm company maintaining the alarm system shall be notified either by personal delivery or first class mail that police response to any further false alarms will result in a charge for each such response.

    2.    The response to subsequent false alarms by any alarm owner after said owner has been once warned/advised by letter or citation shall result in a charge for each such response.

    3.    The fee for police response as provided herein shall be set by resolution of the city council as amended from time to time.

    F.    Response Required. When an alarm system has been activated, the alarm owner shall respond to the location within thirty minutes of being requested to do so by a representative of the communications center and/or city police department. If the alarm owner does not intend to respond to the location he must advise the representative of the communications center and/or city police department of this intention.

    G.    Power Supply. All alarm systems shall be equipped with a backup power supply in such at manner that the failure or interruption of normal electrical utility power shall not activate the alarm system. This power supply must be capable of at least four hours of operation.

    H.    Notification Card Required. All premises having an alarm system shall file and keep current an emergency notification card with the alarm installer or the city police department. Such notification card shall contain the name, address and telephone number of the person who will respond to the alarm, or render service or repairs to the alarm system during any hour of the day or night.

    I.    Notice of Name of Servicer or Occupant. Every audible alarm system shall have a sign or notice posted on or near the audible device with the name and telephone number of the person or company responsible for the maintenance of the system. The notice shall be posted in such a position as to be readable from the ground level outside and adjacent to the building. All silent alarm systems shall have a notice on the premises which provides the same information. (Ord. 497 § 1 (part), 1993)