4685-88«x? ? tE+.. .I.r;.34?"v+•?..yyo ? f• ? '. ?.? .. ... ...`r'?. •q?t ? .s-v.?'.a.. K.K3,•..1. 't 'C' eE'Y.ns .. .. .,?..f •Y`P.'i.4W.»1 iw: ,
e ?
,`ft,- . S?. h?w 1:; ?:9"; °A;
?.7.?sa9'r^??F•ti.v
'!.' :d?. ..
.E ..k C t.zr- :'1?, .?
`y1 J
:: C1.'
't
°?1 '•
'
'
,
f
?
} ?'
? '.i :it '''•. 5..'r >?:1 .:d :'. ,r1?. "li'. r.
•Vf ,. i'p .l''• ::.?•..
t
ti
;tih?a r
?
'i"
'
?
'
??
•
'
r.
.
.l
. r? .Ir
?s. S
b
3 r4• .?? M" .
,
.l R
3. 5l: , y
.
l
t
s'
^
., :•
,r?S?
'.'419.4:
4t
-
{
- ?.?•.??i':
:
' `''l .. A.• F7
{
' .s
'en
'aa Yi
r
, '
e
?
- '•
? _
a ..g.l
f
M
*,. ,
? ..fi
,[
.
«
.
.. 1'
'l?
t
i ^
i'
? ... Y .§ ^.
1, t',
. 1W.
p
ORDINANCE NO. 4685-88
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA,
RELATING TO FIRE ALARMS AND SECURITY ALARMS;
REPEALING ARTICLE III OF CHAPTER 93, CODE OF
ORDINANCES, AND CREATING CHAPTER 94, CODE OF
ORDINANCES; PROHIBITING THE NEGLIGENT
MAINTENANCE OF AN ALARM SYSTEM AND THE
INSTALLATION OR CONTINUED USE OF A FAULTY ALARM
SYSTEM; PROVIDING THAT EVERY ALARM USER SHALL BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROPER MAINTENANCE,
ADJUSTMENT AND USE OF AN ALARM SYSTEM; PROVIDING}
FOR THE IMPOSITION OF FEES AND CHARGES IN THE CASE
OF FALSE ALARMS; PROHIBITING THE USE OF AUTOMATIC
DIALING DEVICES AND DIGITAL ALARM COMMUNICATOR
ALARM SYSTEMS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
device which Is designed to be used for the detection of fire within, or any
unauthorized entry into, a building or structure or portion thereof,, or for alerting
others of the commission of an unlawful act within a building or structure or portion
thereof, and which emits a sound or transmits a signal or message when activated.
The term does not include alarm systems installed In motor vehicles or smoke
detectors not connected to an alarm system that is a part of a single-family or two-
family structure, nor does the term include alarm systems installed in structures used
by government agencies for public purposes.
WHEREAS, there are many types of fire and security alarm systems presently in
use within the City of Clearwater; and
WHEREAS, many of the fire and security alarm systems are causing the dispatch
of fire and police units to the scenes of numerous false alarms; and
WHEREAS, such false alarms result in a substantial misuse of and abuse of the
time and resources of the City's Fire and Police Departments, causing resources to be
out of service when a true need or emergency situation may exist; and
WHEREAS, the current high number of false alarm incidents are deemed to
constitute a threat to the safety and welfare of the people and an impediment to
effective fire and police protection;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. Article III of Chapter 93, Code of Ordinances, Is hereby repealed in its
entirety and Chapter 94 is created as follows:
CHAPTER 94. FIRE ALARMS AND SECURITY ALARMS
Section 94.41. Definitions. For the purpose of this article, the following terms
are defined to mean:
(1) "Alarm system" means any mechanical, electrical, or radio-controlled
' a
r
1
' r
-1-
?d
_.. ?.. (_. YtJ ?.?my.?.. ... .. ?•.fjl:... all..lr--:.tea .4^,-Ej ?>
/oVW
.v/...J .Y l:^ v'J ia.- , N ` ... P a ?• t' t ?.. o y,,. .y,.r??,, u? ? rS ?... i., t. KS"tr? . :. Ny !n d h i,±ef+ti?
?'.. K?d(•., y.?rr '4. Tih. ? .{r y,.: t..f' tA. ^`?Y'?'iiXt•r}?`..a.e-4' ?•ti5Y13;Y•bT. V i.);1?;y ?'. ?.?',?
°i? ? ? ? ? t - ? ,: ? .?} '.l'?' r: :k•'?5.r.:e',;??;1:,.: ?.c :"`..,,,<.F;h yg S-'•'<"ft': ??? ?tr`c
•.:fP.i :<e .i •``?q..; s`;,,'. .,k ...':: tA3? ?.""' _t: .f it
} rte. l:
?cv
dam! ! -I. g?? -)S :` .ICY e? j.?i•.h ?
r.Y'F , .Y c? .I ?•?q.a rrl sl
.'a? : ' G.. •? s . _ 'SPY 4J• ;': Y ?.. - k
!' Fs. :i•:. =:t` 't.+'"VT°??' :.?..- '1:...i '„s?i5," 'S'. S=? 'v ?"Y? ,? t« ??
i?•'?• rt' r
,+;' . i :1:?'° a°. .a? ?`'- I!' s' •i' -.stn '? a
?? to ?. arY ?t' ... ?S. ,°.?.`-?:•. ?P•,
_ .-aS u:•_ ?• aw's:.ar.'Ea?...., °.._."..<'._........ ..>. '?. ?t::,,i"_ _ .. .`C±,. _., .. _..?'•.,.••Jt::. .,.,,?.'_r''?,.., `ir??;?:
(2) "Alarm user" means the parson In control of the premises wherein an alarm
system is maintained. If a lessee of the promisos is responsible for ensuring the proper
maintenance of the alarm system, then the lessee shall be considered the alarm user.
(3) "Automatic telephone dialing device or digital alarm communicator alarm
system" means an alarm system which is activated by a signal or message and which
automatically sends a prerecorded voice message or coded signal by microwave,
telephone lines, or other mode of transmittal directly to the Pinellas County 911 line or
directly to the police or fire department, indicating the exlstence'of an emergency
situation that the alarm system Is designed to detect.
(4) "Enforcement official,, means the police chief, fire chief or designated
representatives of either.
(5) "False alarm" means the activation of an alarm system through mechanical
failure, malfunction, improper installation, or the negligent or intentional misuse by
the alarm user or an employee, servant, or agent of the alarm user, including but not
limited to cleaning crews or other maintenance personnel providing services to the
alarm user, or any other activation of the alarm system not caused by fire, smoke,
heat, actual or attempted criminal activity, which activation requires a police or fire
response. It shall be prima facie evidence that no fire'-related emergency or no
criminal activity or attempted criminal activity occurred if the enforcement official
f€nds, at the time of the police or fire response, no evidence of a fire-related
emergency or of criminal activity or attempted criminal activity. An alarm is not
false if the alarm user proves that (1) the alarm system was activated under
circumstances that would have caused a careful and prudent person to believe that a
fire-related emergency or criminal activity was in progress at the premises protected
by the alarm system; or (2) the alarm system was activated by conditions clearly
beyond the control of the alarm user, including but not limited to, severe weather
conditions.
(6) "Premises" means any building or structure or portion thereof protected by
an alarm system. In the case of two or more buildings or structures or portions
thereof on the same property under the same ownership protected by alarm systems
that are not connected to a single control system, each building or structure or portion
thereof shall be deemed to be separate and distinct premises.
(7) "The same premises" means at the same building or structure or portion
thereof protected by an alarm system, without regard to alterations therein, If the
identity of the alarm user has not materially changed since the last false alarm
-2-
r-.4., f trrr• .T",eti....+n: r?.. ..r?. r`?,°,.?. ,- .<_ .,,?.. v., lh 1?w?7'J.r ?.,n .r ".5-:•a. ., •.l Y v?`rF t£4r.t?r?."?•aa,. ,..w,:A-,f. r?:-r..,;., .Mn-,- :.'y,n?'?,., ;yt?±+ar??,.
.?. 't" .. .?. ? 'r3''. ?'a: »'r`?X=?^-`w••.11.^'^.:+' .i'vr t, IIi?i,
.. ..3' t ?hi••.f:?i ;t.;-, .,v xa?y '.r :?F' .ail 't dC :•,:
. 41.1
,x', susy
- ,2
of ., :-1••?i?' `. <:• .1J rfS? 'K*.": Iii.. 'i"r"s',°yq)
-t :,ti?J's^ q'a' -•L' .'Y•Y°."' 3-LY :fi. ec
1 R
a {
't •
. . ,
3.4 r ,
• .. .... ? .tr .o r•r-'.,,';• r.'...-.,?}: ';:. ?.. .T.' ''.S" .s?;'SC .'t 1. y.v ,b.xt, 13 4•. ?}?1=?^.r'??^'1? -4 of g
.-r. ".•. ts. ~Y,;.:.-:?'i h" Flo -j°i.. •!` ,a LAr?":? ;14 :J:'"?.. ,3;-?'"... .4.r a,. 3 t`
w
-??ii °xr ,? • "?},-ti r;- .4-? - '?Y.. .e ;:a' a .S ?'SJSr?4«i v: t;
• ': "i ?1 { .,t'.. : i, } .f .{° ,si 8. r f K ?qr . i /. ti..? !C"• . S s S$
.IY !•°?? a"4e'? '??? Zf, '?H+f•' .t" 0.9 ?•i? .C i 5.7.,F'tF
e.... i Ll. ?..?.'lIY'?+SJ??:?.1 .?. ?..X'?'. .t:???5:..!'..,..?-?'1?:191d'S?':-'_?. .L •:.t_._lr:w.: r...s. _.?6>.E?? __ , ....- ... ..... .. .<. __. _ .-,_._.... e. ,.....?S?S.:":'SF:. ...<. ?..-... u... .. -{s.e,C.C•?
1
report. For example, but without limiting the meaning of this definition, a bona-fide
sale of the premises or the business therein to a third party, or the replacement of a
tenant by a different tenant, shall be deemed a material change of the identity of the
alarm user.
Section 94.02. False Alarms Prohibited.
(1) It is hereby found and determined that false alarms constitute a public
nuisance.
(2) It shall be a violation for any person to install or continue to use a faulty
alarm system or to negligently maintain an alarm system in such a ma;tner that the
alarm system generates false alarms. After two courtesy warnings have been mailed
in any one-year period to the same premises, each false alarm occurring after the date
the second courtesy warning was mailed and within one year following the date the
first courtesy warning was mailed shall constitute a separate violation. In bringing a
case before the Clearwater Code Enforcement Board, it shall be immaterial whether
false alarms are generated by a fault In an alarm system, by the negligent
maintenance of an alarm system or some combination thereof.
Section 94.03. Response to false Alarms; Notice.
(1) Whenever an alarm system is activated within the City's jurisdiction,
thereby requiring a response to the premises, the enforcement official on the scene
shall inspect the promises, investigate the cause for the alarm, and determine whether
or not the response was in fact required. If the enforcement official determines the
alarm to be false, a written courtesy warning shall be prepared containing a
certificate of service of the date on which the courtesy warning was sent by mail to
the address where the response was required. In those cases where the corporate
headquarters of the alarm user are located at an address other than the address where
the alarm system is located, then additional notice shall be sent to the address of the
corporate headquarters. The certificate shall be taken as prima facie proof of such
mailing.
(2) The written courtesy warning shall notify the alarm user that the issuance
of two courtesy warnings In a one-year period followed by one or more false alarms
occurring after the date the second courtesy warning was mailed and within one year
following the date the first courtesy warning was mailed shall result in a notice of
violation and notice of hearing being issued. The courtesy warning shall additionally
notify the alarm user (1) that if, after a hearing before the Clearwater Code
Enforcement Board, the Code Enforcement Board determines the first alarm occurring
-3-
.
- '
?
, . -
t? wZ ,..r . . ip ..'f r•P ;.. : t`.d?tyk; c: a•'w. i! 1'St,'... t+ A". #y.'
.:=s.? ?•a.v,: .w?..N:?.D +,a.. -..??•'c• .. a?...°..- ri:..rarx•'?....:; ? ?•s.-.?-.:.•.er ••wa•.3.1:'w..'y'?'C.^r i?Y h" '.r `?: °:,,;?; r°'
j"ij
s.,,. S-. .?'t g!. r1' '4- .`. _ .E., nY.•!,>Y J?...'r?. LYS -.)4na :are'1: ?iC
I '/'1", il;Y•?' l•i s'?1 } ?N y r`F. ` ['. 'sV ?aK p$
•'r '?a `'' v? • 3s :o ?'s` q
AN.
.z
• f,. Y'"::s '•?. .,t i.... e'* 1 .".i' 'rl,;, < ra. .= .a . ;{. S¢e as: :?m3?r :••. ?-°?i'? :s.
y' j' '??- v s M
7 u _ es'
.s.. '•.S':` >H' ?9 .'i '; 1:` L c+' "rte A"^r
i.'t: f 1. , k+= S ' ' t?.r . •?, . '•:S`' alr..F ? J•, .1 ,{ d+.• 4y,
eW! .? _ _??zY?3b?1FYsh«si. r..... ... . t .t. n?... , _ 0'4?' < ... , < .. ... ... _.`?1 {'.k ?:;YM. ??. .. : i. • s t+'? .. s?f, ... . ?': A 't1i'S .._...ti .•.
after the date the second courtesy warning was mailed and within one year following
the date the first courtesy warning was mailed to have been false, the Code
Enforcement Board may then order corrective action to be taken within a time
determined by the Board to be reasonable; and (2) that the Board may thereafter
impose a fine up to a maximum of $250 for each additional false alarm occurring after
the date set by the Board for the alarm user to take corrective action and within one ir',•"'s f
year following the date the first courtesy warning was mailed.
(3) If the Fire Department or Police Department responds to the activation of '"'•'{°"
an alarm from the same remises where the alarm user has been mailed two prior "??• ? '
courtesy warnings within a one-year period, if the alarm occurs after the date the rv
>tYPr
alarm user was mailed the second courtesy warning and within one year following the
date the first courtesy warning was mailed, and if after inspecting the premises and
f
S
t
...a;Y
? .;,
y
s
investigating the cause for the alarm the enforcement official determines the alarm.
was false, then the alarm user shall be issued a Notice of Violation and a Notice of srx
Hearing, informing the alarm user of the date on which the alarm user can appear ?'•
before the Clearwater Code Enforcement Board to contest the violation. The Notice y ,,t
of Violation and Notice of Hearing shall be served in accordance with F.S. 5162.12.
(4) The issuance of two courtesy warnings to the alarm user is not intended to
create any rights in the alarm user. The City of Clearwater could have issued a
Notice of Violation rather than a warning after the first response to premises where
the enforcement official determined no response was in fact required. The issuance of
two courtesy warnings is merely a courtesy offered by the City to induce the alarm
user to take corrective actions to prevent false alarms.
(5) The enforcement official shall have the right to inspect any alarm system
to determine whether the alarm system is being used in conformance with the terms of
this article.
P
(6) For the purpose of this section a new period shall begin one year and one
is 3tfr a ea v . ,
?° ..
day after the date the enforcement official mails the first courtesy warning to the
alarm user. ,ti,.? st:,{E •Fss
'
r
Section 94.04. Enforcement and Hearing Procedures; Penalty.
?
W The Clearwater Code Enforcement Board shall have the authority to
':F .,?
;.. ,`
conduct hearings and issue appropriate orders necessary for the enforcement of this
article
. .
s
,
q
(2) If the Board determines that an enforcement official has mailed to an
r:- -
?LViY'r?iy
alarm user at the same premises two courtesy warnings within a one-year period and
I a r
-4-
:-t .eC.n. '+ho°<W'• .. J,;...,..e .. .. .,.F"k..il1 a..¢_ ?'-•.:. ','ti• .. •ri': ;MS':u•et'3°?...a..q?.•:•.: :, ;.k..nz ?+';f tw4;'^,.r+'.a ri..st ,•..,,..? .^'?tip':^+9: .^.''rv ..y,!s..?'9Y ??.
' iJ,nY :'.. ,.s, \"J•?"x;45° 'i?
"zs9. ?'Jz:',?.?F; '>' rt.'i .i \t. -r' ?Y<' '?ri!`+aso I, •'.i '-..:?. <?,
J§)i 6
'Y? :•? .\g'. •?."' .[,a",«:, .•F. •l '?_' ) Y S. .'l: to t f'k' J
.Irdi C•'Y 1./.^'} d' lee•f. a Sf L C.i•'. ,\:
°T.L' aJ,? '_? il'\ i'\ ;ii?-e\t"Y'?`.. .. b: '.. ..?.?ti,'m,?•.. 'bt. v4 site ' c .t'°y?r? "r?1v" s',.'I1r? .?yi•> •°f':!.i.".? ,..,,:'' i :•:.m- e,l?.a-.:s'",n °'tv pq s.?,
%X "?{n •t}f ??. : C'+ "? Af' N :Lei ,r
.r,i °}. e •`.)r.' •J.?:.? ,Ii.' Sf .3•f. 3r\n?•' 'R. 'tP 1
y?+'. a:f ??.' ', `f .°'?'i;:. ".?:,? fir: {. :.t, ?.?.,.
'r •4} Sr .i. •'!r :`,•"?: .t'.
.,,'. ^.!. .i.,., 'Ur•.=:i'??'. fit. .x:s x'..?t. Lrq` ,):5'-'.'.•: 'w? $
'id'S 'r .S.':: .1 .•-. ?3'•r {' r L y.7?,,.. M?2,;: r, ?? • 't`^ •,S-. 'a .,? .r. ?. G
'J.r .:?!! '` ^" .;,i'" ```t"v :; i .e^ r\ 3. ?;i?' r.??.?'::.':'ra??>L.r ?:..?°, t-t ? :%S?';:.x''.1.3?' e'1 ..,?' ?'d4 k .?9'}1p r {?51'?t+y7?3?+(?j'?a".>:.: •'. 'j.•£ + ... ...'{yam.'>.a,5'iw?? y-s ., •::. ."y?,yy-.- &? ,yk ap??yi R4?T?
/.. ?? ' v3x'°•?Ss?;Txf,.. r wJba-...^ri?',_:1MH?f?iAC.1C°-r^,'t?"+`R1YYI,N¢•+'??Yr,. :?' j1 A m',{r?\V°7,'t
that a false alarm has occurred after the date the second courtesy warning was mailed
and within one year following the date the first courtesy warning was mailed, then the .,..I.tic
' .t Board may order corrective action to be taken within a time determined by the Board
to be reasonable.u
(3) if the Board determines that one or more additional false alarms have :=r
r'. se^y,` occurred at the same premises occupied by the alarm user after the date the Board
ordered the alarm user to take corrective action and if the additional false alarms rt :yx?m
have occurred within one year following the date the alarm user was mailed the first'
-.,r,°. gin. t'?;:.• - 1'1
u„ courtesy warning, then the Board may impose a fine up to a maximum of $250 for each
a such Additional false alarm.
(4) In making its determination in any case, the Board shall follow the ;r•,_?; procedures and may exercise powers vested in the Board as set forth in Chapter 162,r
Florida Statutes.
Section 94.05. Prohibitions; penalty.
{1} It shall be unlawful to install or maintain an automatic telephone dialing`
device or digital alarm communicator alarm system within the city.
(2) It shall be unlawful to install or maintain an alarm system that does note:
have an auxiliary power supply that activates in the event of. a power failure or
electrical outage.
(3) It shall be unlawful to install or maintain a security alarm system that ;
emits an audible alarm that does not deactivate within twenty minutes after activation, but this requirement shall not apply to fire alarm systems.
(4) Any violation of this section shall be considered a separate violation and sw
shall be punished in accordance with Section 162.09, Florida Statutes.,
e
Section 94.06. Newly Installed Alarm Systems.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to any new installation of alarm .`
3?q i .y1 d4 N
?•??:?`' systems for the first thirty (30) days following completion of the installation.
Section 94.07. Liability of City..,
The City and any of its agents and employees shall have no liability or
responsibility for the operation or effectiveness of any alarm, system and shall not be
subject to any claims, demands or actions which may arise out of or in connection with • •_
the failure to respond to an alarm.
. r
r,
. f '
-5-
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect 3 0 days after adoption.
PASSED ON FIRST READING September';-15,"-1988 _
PASSED ON SECOND AND FINAL
READING AND ADOPTED AS AMENDS
Attest: . Mbtyor-Comblss loner
?
. o.
.
C ty er
Approved as to fo m and correctness:
C Fly Attorney,
' yYwT+ry
}.=^M•?e+?:r J`Yt?tiSrr~