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ORDINANCE N0. 4886-90
M
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA, RELATING TO
FIRE ALARMS AND SECURITY ALARMS; AMENDING AND. RENUMBERING
SECTIONS 94.01 THROUGH 94.07, CODE OF ORDINANCES,. AND CREATING
ARTICLES I AND II WITHIN CHAPTER 94, CODE OF ORDINANCES,
INCLUDING NEW SECTIONS 94.07 THROUGH 94.16; PROHIBITING THE
NEGLIGENT MAINTENANCE OF AN ALARM SYSTEM AND THE INSTALLATION
AND 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;
PROHIBITING FALSE ALARMS; PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A
COURTESY WARNING; PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A CITATION OR
THE IMPOSITION OF SERVICE CHARGES IN THE CASE OF CONTINUOUS
FALSE ALARMS; REQUIRING A PERMIT TO OPERATE A SECURITY ALARM
SYSTEM; CREATING A PROCEDURE WHEREBY THE ALARM USER CAN
CONTEST THE VALIDITY OF A FALSE ALARM CITATION OR NOTICE;
PROHIBITING THE USE OF AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICES AND DIGITAL
ALARM COMMUNICATOR ALARM SYSTEMS; REQUIRING THAT FIRE AND
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEMS POSSESS CERTAIN MECHANICAL FEATURES;
LIMITING THE LIABILITY OF THE CITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, there are many types of fire and security alarm systems presently
f?
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, for example, between January 1, 1989 and October 11, 1989, 4450
security alarms were activated with 4385 (98.54 percent) being false, resulting
in the unnecessary dispatch of 7882 police units, 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 high number of false-alarm incidents constitutes a threat to
the safety and welfare of the people, and an impediment to effective fire and
police protection; and
WHEREAS, the existence of several thousand false alarms necessitates the
creation of a fair and expeditious procedure to attempt to reduce the number of
false alarms within the city;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA;
Section 1. Chapter 94, Code of Ordinances, is amended to create Articles
I and II, and Sections 94.01 through 94.07 are amended and renumbered to read
as follows:
. CHAPTER 94. FIRE ALARMS AND SECURITY ALARMS
ARTICLE I. FIRE ALARMS
5 5
1
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Sec. 94.01. Definitions.
For the purposes of this
mean:
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Ap Z.
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?dX??` •,??' 1: e £` fig;; : •?''
article, the following terms are defined to
M Alarm system means any mechanical, electrical, or radio-controlled
device which is designed to be used for the detection of fire withinT-oP--ate
entry into-,- a building or structure or portion thereof, or fel-
and which emits a sound or transmits a signal or
message when activated. The term does not include alapm systems installed 4n
metee#ic-des-Qr- 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.
2) Alarm user means the person in control of the premises wherein an
alarm system is maintained. If a lessee of the premises 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 o r coded signal by
j. microwave, telephone lines, or other mode of transmittal directly to the
`.t Pinellas County 911 line or directly to the police or fire department,
indicating the existence of an emergency situation that the alarm system is
designed to detect.
' '. M
,?, Code enforcement officer r ?orEement ff'^_;a T means the peliee
k ; chief, fire chief or other employee of the Clearwater fire department deli nom
c
`
.5'' to enforce the provisions of this article designated PepresentatiYe of .
s
1 Date of receipt means, for a residential user, the date that the
,
s
R^ ?.
a return receipt accompanying any certified mailing of the notice required to be
F sent ta_the_alarm users premises pursuant to section 94.03(4) of this article
is signed or the date that any such notice is delivered to the alarm user
' personally or to
any person fifteen (15)
age or older residing with the
of
years
-
_
_
,
alarm user after informing the person of the contents of the notice. For
business alarm users, the term means the date the return receipt accompanying
any certified mailing of the notice required to be sent to the alarm user's
premises pursuant to section 94
03(4) of this article is signed or the date any
;
2
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.1 .U. ..4', 'I'3 yi ?•5. ?Ye:.: i.1 ?{ -?+ w?}?[r -.? .'?HI.?.
.•a ?? ? r'_•. .__ -^?C?i???fl$b??.IL??.???._1.??`>.s_?. L'k?',?•4.,?_ c:?':.•r._CL. •s.m.,5 -: .'°3; y:'?•?_°N ?.t.?!. f•14. ,. ,.. ?.?`:f,.L.:c.., .?•.?'?e•4
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such notice is delivered to a officer, a director, a general ate o the
proprietor of the business, or to-any employ e,.
eneral Partner or the proprietor is not resent on the remises after,
othe employee of the contents of the notice.
.(6 False alarm means the activation of an alarm system through
mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, or the negligent or
intentional misuse of the alarm system by the alarm user or an employee-r
user, 1 smoke, heat, aetual or
a-ttempted---criminal aet y, wh-ie-h--aet4vatien-requires a-pel ke-a,=-?-;-r?
response. It may be presumed shall be that the alarm was
false RO f-4•e-related emergeney 9,p no er!M Ra et;`f;*
if the enforcement official finds, at the time of the pelke
er' fire response, no evidence of a fire-related emergency of of er 4min l
An alarm shall not be considered 4-_r
rot false if the alarm usep preyes (1) the alarm system was activated under
circumstances that would have caused a careful or prudent person to believe that
a fire'-related emergency or criminal aetiyky was in progress at the premises
protected by the alarm system; er (2) the alarm system was activated by
conditions clearly beyond the control of the alarm user, including but not
limited to, severe weather conditionsI7 or 31j the alarm user complies with
section 94.03(4) of this article
. 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.
(8• 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 identify of the alarm user has not materially changed since the last false
alarm report. For example,' but without limiting the meaning of the definition,
a bona"-fide sale of the premises or the business therein to a third party, or
3
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iy ?., •-, , ??,,e,?u:,? ' a'x'Ya?.«s ti.z-..,ur :c4??>; t?°"t??;? t y °^1 +???44- ?('lrru ? ?,' ? - ?,?,?JF . '. •. +y?'
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.+?}?, li fdl?ia7 A1'. ? ?'.l" ?s: q?y }i?p` ?s ? 4- y "Y' L ? tt'1•° J
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'?97F.r n;, .1'. •? ...a .. ._ '.'?*7, .-?3ai.'r,d?t,e?:'r::'? - • - _?`. I•..L,:• i??sa ri-`.4i:i:??'xly? ?..' $?_:F:. 7?: ?•.»,,-: 5,;,,??.,
the replacement of a tenant by a different tenant, shall be deemed a material
change of the identify of the alarm user.
Section 94.02. False Alarms Prohibited;-,?lties.
(1) It is hereby found and determined that false alarms constitute a
civil infraction •,,punishable by a maximum civil penalty not to,eggeed-five
hundred dollars 500.00 -ie Ru4anee.
(2) It shall be a civil infraction men for any person to install
or continue to use a faulty alarm system or to negligently maintain an alarm
system in such a manner that the alarm system generates false alarms. The first
response to the alarm user's premises•within any calendar year determined to
have been -false shall result- in the- city's -issuance of a written- courtesy
warning to the alarm user. Each false alarm occurring at the same remises
after the date the courtesy warning was mailed or delivered and within the same
calendar year as the date of the first response shall constitute a separate
civil infraction. After -two a +frtesy_war- Wings haye been maPed 4n any one year
same-premises, eae-h-false -ate aceurring after the date the
first Esu esy warning etas-mailed -shall --eeestitute a separate ..iel.t;BR In
bringing a case before the county court Clearwater eede enferee en} baar , 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 hl some combination
thereof.
Section 94.03. Response to False Alarms n Issuance of Courtesy
Warnings and Citations.
(1) Whenever an alarm system is activated within the city's
jurisdiction, thereby requiring a response to the premises, the code enforcement
officereffk-ial on the scene shall inspect the premises, investigate the cause
for the alarm, and determine whether or not the response was in fact required.
If the code enforcement officer effieis; determines the alarm to be false, the
officer shall prepare a false alarm report: and a written courtesy warning shall
be issued to the alarm user by regular U. S. mail or hand delivery prepared
•4
. 1.
eanta4ning a eertif4eate of serviee of the date an which the courtesy warnkg
,., .
•fi was sent 1..r-mom to the address ,..I,
_nr.n the response +.,+?rr y'pip, r in these-eases
t other -than -t-k - he address whepe the alarm system is .ated then additional Retke
F
4
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i' is '1 `f. rit» •(?o^•..::? ./r:??
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lxle '??'•? ^r'i':¢t-?,?. :'tr T? ''F'S`• ' ;Gr, ?. s ..Yr i S•.l};?:-'.tine
?a.' ens _ ...r :?. -: a'.,,,'1';.:?''i?r. y::r, i. ", `, 1' rr.:.'•:-? ;'c ..a' ??a• ,?„ : ?';-'
?`?t ?r :1???,°si.,a "a'nw5.:i?w?:CkY ?P,d4.•rEa::'Sa:••s•?,?:mi•::sr?al.^x.?,";kr`*f`-"=^?:L i:rtcr+?'?'?,il? .:?,'.fi,.,:;.''r?_='?F? ,; r?• ??. ?/., :.i?e?- •-d';'¢';•
_ .t' ?"'• .f?(tiex .}??i.?:y??y,?=+.:rf+a ??r ?)iFt;:•.:,tr.y.(1,?e°:.:.ter.?z-?r'R,••:r:r.??3.,F.,•y?y...1N?. rr1?:.?.-r,..,,,i i5 ?-'?etr;?':?;?^e; :.`.?; a? ?"t+».
?•' :'epr iNr ,rl?"d,' F??'Iy W'.t.:.; J« ?N??Otwiri%e`t;:..?et'-y: ... E?. i{.GCrf.:: 7.i r. is ?'L.?yJ::°°,°?•bt?{{'??t.a.t.t:??`. .rt4 j.C .-i1q ?(? fi`N/
4 tM1?E a-?.3h ir... Y.. ';i!` .iT r. e. `{' h: .?' ii ..I':.:•rV 7. f1;?-8.',
'#'' >r 'S":_. 'Ge?' r?i>.?tr•';.?t':;}. .ar3',kw.i`si?..... ?'w?i'., ..S':t:<.., - ,.aM: ,,, .u ? ? ? ? ??3?: !«L.l.i •3,+f :'3J.i. at..M 1.
4ltepsT The ept i - eate
orate hea
shall be sent te the address of the cor ?F
R
p
shall be taken as prima fae4e preef of such ma4ling.
,r
(2) The written courtesy warning shall notify the alarm user that the
issuance of one -twa courtesy warning wapn4n9s during a calendar-_y_ear - a one
year perfollowed by one or more false alarms occurring at the same premises
within the same calendar year and after the date the seeond courtesy warning was
mailed or delivered may
nr.uptesy warning wag- mailedr'h l result in a citation
notlee of hear4ng being issued to appear in county court.
shall additienally notify the al-arm user (1) that if, after a hearkg befope the
i
d
n
r
deter.M.Anes.r
.
Glearwater eode enferEementi 13eapd, the Eede enferem.'nt bear
f:
l'nm
eee
., st a
Wi*WA ARP year f ol lowing the date the f 4rst eourtesy warning was MM led to
'• i
.1
been false, the eede enfereement beard may then ord i- eappeetlye aet4en fe-h
:i
taken wi+6?}•i••f? t4iFlc dete ned' the beard to he reasonable; `". , (g)
-.,--a --, b?y --e-? aR.d that the. ,L
is
. beard may thereafter impose a f4ne up to u4-m of $250 f,-.n-PH& ?>adi?:..n+l t'.
4'
false a1aF after the date set by the heard fer the alarm user te take
f'
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e
.
?s ma
(3) If the fire department or pelke department, responds to the
T
f
:.
activation of an alarm from the same premises where the alarm user has been 7
mailed or delivered one twe-pF 49F courtesy warning warnings with-na eee-yeae
per-ed, if the alarm occurs after the date the alarm user was mailed or
delivered the second courtesy warning and within the same calendar year as the 's
date of the first response one year fellewkg the date the-:fiv:s*-eou'ete t
warn4Rg was mailed, and if after inspecting the premises and investigating the
cause for the alarm, the code enforcement officer,igiaT determines the alarm
was false,,then the alarm user shall be issued a citation to appear in county
court unless the alarm user complies with the requirements of subsection 4 of $`
this section. hearing,
s'
i
(4) Prior to issuing a citation, a code enforcement_ officer shall
provide notice to the alarm user that the alarm user has committed a civil
5
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infraction-and sal --provide the alarm usefifteen 15 AM s ra the date a
receipt o the--notice to present -to the Clearwater fire de artme t wr tten
evidence from a licensed alarm company that the company has inspected the system
and that any defects of desianr installation or operation of the alarm system,
which are identifiable as the cause of the false alarm have been corrected.
If the alarnr_user-fails to_apresent_such_written evidence within the fifteen (15)
day period so provided, the code enforcement officer who responded to the false
alarm shall cause to be issued a citation to the alarm user to aNear in county
court.
L511;4 The issuance of a tiwe? courtesy warning warnings to the alarm user
is not intended to create any rights in the alarm user. The City of Clearwater
could have issued a citation rather than a warning after the
first response to premises where the enforcement official determined no response
was in fact required. The issuance of a twa courtesy war. nine warning& is merely
a courtesy offered by the city to induce the alarm user to take corrective
.actions to prevent false alarms.
M4S4 The code enforcement officer 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.
_?i_1... .?ata- the tv, ?,-purpeSe of Tt#4s secti-en-'a R'ew-pefi-eci'-shall begin one year
and one day after the date the eRfereement ef:Peial ma4is the first eourtesy
wapning to the alarm user,
L7, If code enforcement officers respond to the same premises more than
once during any eight (8) hour Period,_ only one false alarm will be charceable
against the alarm user. For exam le if a false alarm occurs at the alarm
user's remises at 2:00 a.m. the next chargeable false alarm could not occur
until 10:01 a.m.
th4s artiG4e's
(2) if the beafd determ4nes that an enfGreement eff4elal has mailed to
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w '. e. • k?? .a ? .. ? ? ' ?.. ` ? ? . f ? ?" ' ... ? _M•? 4 l+t?? ?1'r• .. A•?"?!1 .. .. .:'?? ?V. .. r aY.4 ?..` .. n.?? )YH?Ne?Y •i?, '..'f!
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(4) in making its detefm4natie- 4-,.-?ny ease, the beard shall fellow thhee
162, _Florida Stat .te
Section 94.04 04.06. 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 not have an auxiliary power supply that activates in the event of a power
failure or electrical outage.
-aet!YaWen, but this requirement shall not apply to f4e alarm systems.
L31(4 Any violation of this section shall be considered a separate civil
infraction and shall result in the code enforcement officer's issuing a se crate
citation to the alarm _user to appear in county court y4ajat4en and shall
punished 4n aeeerdanee w4th Seetion 162.09, Florida Statutes.
Section 94.05 94.06. Newly Installed Alarm Systems.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to any new installation of
alarm systems for the first thirty (30) days following completion of the
installation.
Section 94.06 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 any alarm.
ARTICLE If. SECURITY ALARMS
Section 94.07. Definitions.
7
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:T
For purposes of this article the following terms are defined to mea :
1 Alarm permit means a permit issued b the cit allowin the o eration
of a security alarm system within the city.
. 2 Alarm user means the erson firm partnership, association
corporation, company or organization of an kind in control of any building,
structure or facility or portion thereof wh?lein a security alarm system is,
maintained. If the lessee of the remises is responsible for-ensuring the proper
' maintenance of the security alarmsystem, then the lessee shall be considered
the alarm user.
3 Automatic telephone dialing device or digital alarm communicator
alarms stem means an alarms stem which is activated b a signal or message and
... which automatically sends a rerecorded voice message or coded signal b
microwave telephone lines or other mode of transmittal direct, to the Pinellas
.`i Count 911 line or direct, to the police or fire department. indicating the
existence of an emergency situation that the alarms stem is designed to detect.
:. 4 Date of--receipt means for a residential user, the date that the
return receipt accompanying an certified mailing of a notice re uired b this
article to be sent to the alarm user's residence is signed or the date that an
' notice required by this article is delivered to the alarm user personally or to
- an person fifteen--(15) ears of age or older residing with the alarm user after
informing the person of the contents of the notice. For business alarm users
the term means the date the return receipt accom an in an certified mailing
':'•,?µ of a notice-required b this article to be sent to the alarm user's remises is
i ? IZ. `? rt
signed or the date an notice required b this article is delivered to the person
designated in the alarm permit a lication to receive notices or to an
i..?7r.
employee if the person so designated is not resent on the remises after
notifying the employee of the contents of the notice.
5 False alarm means the activation of a security alarms stem resultin
? in a police response caused b a the mechanical failure mechanical
f2?S
?s
77
,
malfunction im ra er maintenance or fault installation of the system,
t<<i?
regardless of whether the alarm user is at fault or b the ne l ent or
intentional activation of the sensors of a security alarms stem b an act or
' omission of the alarm user, a person residing on the alarm user's remises or
.
an employee of the alarm user, including but not limited to_opening doors or
Y' windows protected by sensors, walking through or walking on areas protected. by
sensors, or failing to prevent the activation of sensors by animals or objects
8
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,rr y ?, ? ;y. .F
+ts i`' ,r.? .r„.:,q..i`;• 't:°,?: ??'?.' oA :taif -?e'{,:,,t. iA•?.+X1I•" ,3 ..
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.`^??".t??. ?SZ:?flift"i?? 1%r?l`?;dksr??t?irk>,oda+?'af?if:#.??`i?s'..?:3, 5?.. • ? c., n.r?Ir.?' t a.i? _ .A?1?..?, a €?3„} c.. r
F 1• j' iSifi".d; syj l:. ?£3??'1 r9"?"_? ?4..
the alarm user's 21:emises. or
over which the alarm user, a Person es d n o th
an employee of the alarm user has or reasonably should have control. An alarm
a
is not fa se if the security alarm system is activated by conditions that were
7A'z R4!
not reasonably subject to the control of the alarm user, such as severe weather
conditions or under circumstances that would have caused a careful and prudent
person to believe that criminal activit or an emer ency was in progress at the
remises., It may be resumed that the alarm was false if the police officer' •ri.::'_,?'!: y,,
to the alarm finds no evidence of criminal activity, attempted
responding
criminal activity, or an emergency at the remises.
Permit year means from October 1 •,,,; '?,,..,.?,.
to September 30 of the next calendar
6
• ' ? ? ?;?' ?'?i.= ?'!? . ;?,:yes '-%•?`
year
aariie-'ci''dr`.aF^}:s??°:Szlf2a:
thereof protected
'•t' ?r::? '-??J::?:.;.;
' Premises means an building or structure or portion
b a security alarms stem.
8 Same remises means at the same building or structure or' ortion
thereof protected b a security alarmsystem, without regard to alterations
..??..°.e' ;;??:, 5. ?= w:?7' {';•
# `'';? - t' 7.'• •,1; ref ???,t a?+.,?t,.
therein if the identify of the alarm user has not materially changed since the
last false alarm report. For example, but 'without limiting the meaning of the
#ftix,:??»
definition a bona-fide sale of the remises or the business therein to a third
art or the re lacement of a tenant b a different tenant shall be deemed a
i
(•_ material change of the identity of the alarm user.
r s; ..
9 Security alarms stem means an assembly of equipment, mechanical 'tji
= `? ?;< !t".??• ?,
or electrical designed to signal the occurrence of an illegal entry or other
'
criminal activity or of an emergency to a monitoring facility that contacts the
?' ,,? -'? ? ? ;•???
,• J ;t?'ILN
' police department and requests a police officer to res and to the alarm user's
remises. The term also includes an assembly of equipment, mechanical or tpa?y4,t
electrical that emits an audible or visual signal designed to be heard or seen
outside the alarm user's remises indicating the occurrence of an illegal entry n .• `"`}a' ._ r
?.i•;?.•??` =??sa"'?, ?;
:• or other criminal activity or of an emergency on the alarm users remises. The
1?'
term includes but is not limited to intrusion alarms holdup alarms and panic
? r rya d•?+-'s ". ?`''g'1Ci.a?7yg4
4 ;s. 5ft•x yf ??.A'ST,ti.:? 7??'f'?.R,?l
?A? alarms but does not include fire alarms or alarms installed in motor p#f>M b
vehicles.
Section 94.08. Alarm permits re uired• penalties.
,:.
1 On the effective date of this article it shall he unlawful for an
person who has not obtained an alarm permit for the remises or who has had his
permit revoked pursuant to this article to operate a security alarms stem.
.,,? "•'' s?;n'?!-egym {yy{1
f Violation of this section shall be punished b a fine not exceeding five hundred
to ( ? R•MC. y 'f. •7
)rte l.' '.1 ?.;: ? ? ? - ? ? ? $?, ??'A'•r`??°.'.?
? '.?4.?« :
. t`.?;? ,L• - i'.'. .. it P ' A
rv ?,-,??.. •?r:
y 'S
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t •se }?
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? ? -0{'';v4 . ._?? 1 i%?. .1
d
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`r?' n .?f?
.... ..?.•1!,''.._..:ks'?n>Hr.r?'I..II?:MF.s.kSk.LWi Ew..r+L?S?.Y ?Lr`>1?aff Ki'S`:i?...S"__e,x-.-..4
?? .,BS
•../ 4
'Sig$..?..:?°Ss?AE?.???..r'?YX?•. •a At .l:• t
=
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' dollars 500.0 for each day the alarms stem is operated without a valid alarm
permit.
2 An alarm ermit ma be ac uired from the Clearwater Police department
?
aJ
s"ytt
upon a licatio . A11 alarm permits shall expire on Se ember 30 of each year
and shall be renewed not later than October 1 of each years Renewal permits will
completion of an application form.
he issued after '
„
3 If an alarm user has one 1 or more security alarm systems
t';t
protecting two 2 or more -separate structures having different addresses a
separate „permit„shall be-required for each structure.
Section 94.09. Application for alarm --permit: emergency notification- j
updating information. Asl
Applications for alarm permits shall be made on forms provided by
?
.
.
the police department. Each application shall be signed b the a licant or the
applicant's agent. The application shall state the alarm user's name and the
'
address and telephone number of the alarm user's ro ert to be serviced b the .'
alarm. For business alarm users the application shall also include the name
of an individual employed at the remises who will represent the business as its
agent to receive service of any notice required by'this article._ If the alarm
user's alarm is serviced b an alarm company, the alarm user shall also include
the name address and telephone number of that company. If the alarm user's
•h?i
alarm is monitored by a company other than the company, servicing the alarm, the y,
a lication shall also contain the name address and telephone number of the
company monitoring the alarms stem. If the alarm user's security alarms stem '
G
was installed after the effective date of this article the a lication shall ;}£
also include the citv's building permit number for the installation of anY s- sy tem,
required b the city code to be installed b a properly licensed alarm contractor
and the date of final inspection._
(2), Each application shall list the address_ and emergency telephone
number of at least one individual who can be notified of alarm calls to assist ?'€
the office in the inspection of the ro ert
i
,(3) Each holder of an alarm user permit shall immediately notify the
r,r-
rolice-department in writing of any-and_all changes in the information on file
E
with the city regarding such permit. Failure to do so shall constitute rounds =k
9r
sP.
for revocation of the
10
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Section 94.10. Issuance of permit decals.
' ?'= `}rte,^4? ' yU'f•vs`
(1) -A decal-with the alarm user's permit number shall be issued with the ; . }a = n? i4rtt
alarm user's permit. This decal-shall-be-Prominently Posted on or near the front
entrance to the premises so that the information provided on the decal is visible from the outside of the structure. ;,•:;??,,,•i.?d,?-.,,, .
:. olice department
(2)- The alarm or monitor co a ing mpsv contacting the p
regarding an activated alarm shall inform the police department of the alarm
user's permit number.
fr
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Section 94.11. Necessary items for alarm systems to ualifv for an alarm
user permit.
(1) All security alarm systems connected to Florida Power Corporation
electrical lines shall have a backup power supply that will become effective in ! f:`.';•_`?'wr:s'a
the event of power failure or outage.
(2) All business security alarm systems shall have an automatic reset „?,.,,,;'?• ,,?
110
•1''Fd',-,
that silences the annunciator within thirty (30) minutes after activation. All
:x residential security alarm systems shall have an automatic reset that silences
r' the annunciator within-twent,y(20)_minutes--a#ter activation. y'
u f Fn., ?:
(3) An alarm user shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred •p"
a dollars (5500.00) for each day the alarm user operates a security alarm system RXti.yi
6 in violation of this section. ? '
Section 94.12. Response to alarm; determination of validity.
?*i-
D ] Whenever an alarm is activated in the city, _ therebyrequiring an ak, ??r?i ?r>?
' emergency response to the location by the police department, and the police
'';
?R., department does respond, a police officer on the scene of the activated security Fy??
?•? alarm system shall inspect the area protected by the system and shall determine
whether the emergency response was in fact required as indicated by the security
40
f'
?'ry,?,• alarm system or whether a false alarm occurred. ',.,?•?;???tt,
f
"55 ,1
(2) If the police officer at the scene of the activated security alarm
system determines the alarm to be false, said officer shall make a report of the
VTT?t
false alarm.
yy
(3) If police officers respond to the same premises more than once during
'a.. any eight (S ]hour -period, only one false alarm will be chargeable-against the y''r?a.s.l
alarm user. For exam le if a false alarm occurs at the alarm user's remises 'a"'''• "?,i `°='h
at 2:00 a.m., the next chargeable false alarm could not occur until 10:01 a.m. ,??,?_s;ar{9af;.
U ?t
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Section 94_,13., Appeals. `
(1) Within fifteen 0 5) calendar days from the_date -of receipt by the
i. ?µf4
alarm user of any notice of a false alarm, the alarm user shall file with the
. city clerk's office a written reguest for a hearing if the alarm user chooses
45
z
to contest the validity of the false alarm and the false alarm notice shall so.. , ,}
3• state. The re guest for a hearin shall be accom anied b a filing-fee of twenty-
five dollars 25.00 which will be refunded to the alarm user if the false
alarm is determined to have been genuine or beyond the control of the alarm
user. si
2 The cit manager or his designee shall hold a hearing within twenty
.(20) calendar days from the date the alarm user files the request for a hearing =
with the city clerk's office. The alarm user shall be given notice of the
hearing and shall have an opportunity to resent evidence on his or her behalf fK
to cross-examine an witnesses and to be represented b counsel. Within ten
(10) calendar days of the_hearing, the city manager or his designee shall file +nt:
with the city clerk's office a written decision upholding or cancelin the false
alarm report. The written decision shall be final and conclusive subject to
• ifl
judicial review b common-law certiorari in the circuit court for Pinellas
4
r•{
County.
y 3 If the alarm user is unsuccessful in having the city-manager or his
+i
t; designee declare the false alarm to be genuine or beyond the control of the alarm ,
rr user and if the alarm user fails to seek further review in the circuit court f
` b
s the alarm user shall have thirty 30 calendar days from the date the city
manager or his designee files the written decision with the city clerk to satisfy '
the requirements of section 94.14 3 • otherwise the alarm user's permit for the
premises shall become automatically revoked.
" 4 If the city manager or his designee determines that the alarm was
;- activated b lightning, the false alarm report shall be cancelled. However,
within fifteen 15 calendar days from the date the city manager or his designee
files the written decision with the city clerk the alarm user must resent the I- j
Clearwater police department written evidence from an alarm company licensed b
the city certifying that the alarms stem is operating ro erl • otherwise the
' alarm user's permit for the remises shall become automatically revoked. '
12
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.: a..'. •su,.•.wrf?•3,'iti is-.;. t:.., 'a. :? :?!_<? :J! _
•4?" •'it•' '?Y t aP.'' 1 L••
,may '4'J7 iC? ','?•C! ryw? ? +yd• :5,? •4•'? .@
: :???" 1?. r 1:? ,? i;b; •'-sJ'.? Y'•s•?:a. FOe .i4S f Y?"••?1~? ?"?,
i •''?#?.' yg, t ?`tx?3?b.r.. •t,?, ? ? Yfy?.....?.. ."i:'"?e.?."-.• i."A. N.:='? xd.,?i, ,a.",7,. h ???''?:: }`? ?, •k. i 4
..-3 r ??`;l'?1?? Y:?t?:??x4..:?ft... •, ? ?: v.:a?? fr.lw' ti«s :a" : ,"C ?!J'?.t:?Yi? "rr•-::asx.?::;4r?s}?. «a.l...?l:. t s: r-?+ v??d.-n?::•J,.•+S.S.+ tti ????a'?T'r?w''
Section 4.14. Service char a for false alarms.
(1) It is hereby found and determined that one or more false alarms
within an permit year constitutes a public nuisance.
2 The first activation within a permit year of an alarm user's security
alarm system determined by the responding police_ officer to have been a false
alarm shall result in the city's issuance to the alarm user of a written courtesy jl r
.4
warning by regular U. S. mail or by hand delivery . The issuance of a courtesy ?ls ttyi..; t'; ,
warning to the alarm user is not intended to create an rights in the alarm
user. The city could have issued a notice of a false alarm and could have
°,
requested the payment of a service charge rather than issuing a warning. The
issuance of a courtesy warnin is merely a courtes y offered b the cit y to induce
the alarm user to take corrective actions to prevent false alarms.-
The activation at the same premises of one or more false alarms • Fr, J },
(3)
within a permit year after the date of the response that resulted in the city's
:.? issuance of a written courtesy warning shall result in the city's issuing to the 4:ra,t'yF
alarm user a written notice of the false alarm and a notice of the cit s
Try=x?'Y t
imposition on the alarm user of a thirty dollar 30.00 service charge per ;..:far^i tL•.,,,S:;>.?•?`S .
occurrence which shall be considered a bill owed b the alarm user to the city.
Each service charge shall be aid to the Clearwater police department within
fifteen 15 calendar days from the date of receipt of the written notification
?1•.: "?i ;• ?i ???" ti`s K•.si?e
of the service charge. If the Clearwater police department does not receive
payment of the service charge within said time and if the alarm user fails to 1i:yr5,,
All
take an appeal b re uestin a hearin as Provided b this article within fifteen
1,,Y, rF?t, 1r \
:7A,fi
1 calendar days from the date of receipt of the false alarm notice the alarm
user's permit for the remises shall become automatically revoked and the notice
yet :.?; )-
ll-w
shall so state.
4 If the alarm users permit has been revoked the alarm permit shall
'?3'x •` frt..: ^x.nr?, A
.•r3=•,! not be reinstated and the alarm user shall not be issued an alarm user's permit 2-
for the remises for the following permit year until the alarm user satisfies;.`
the requirements of subsection 3 of this section.
(5) If an alarm user has false alarm violations pending at his _premises
at the beginning of the following permit ear, either because the time to -pa the service charge or to request a hearing has not yet expired or-because the
alarm user has filed a request for a hearing for which a final decision is still E;,.=r?;3
13
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'?Z :M: tliM???? ??; r?L•.x? ?- ? e.t.'Y';'i ryl'Iffp-:3 <!i• i??
.a: .. ?..4 "p. iR }'? t• :F= •:r.-I .a:e ?`J ?.r¢,ri..?. r'4.sxa?..e
to '•9?? .. -,'1 4...'!f j"
b•t!y ?',. ?:i'4 t• .f.• ..'^,'j.Yr "?4 ? 'E° _}?s .a a .?3 k*I^s, ^w:r.
I
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.
pending, the City stall issue a temporary alarm user's permit fqr the_gremises;
If the alarm user fails to satisfy the re ui eme is oft this article with respect
to the-pending false alarm the temporary alarm ermit shall became automatically
revoked.-
(6) The xjvisions of this section shalt not apply to an new
installation of an alarms stem for the first thirty 30 days following the date
the alarm system becomes operable.
Section 94.15. Automatic telephone dialing-alarm sstems prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for an person, natural or corporate, to sell a fer
for sale install maintain lease operate or assist-in-the operation of an
automatic telenhone_dial _irig_device or digital alarm communicator alarm system
within the city.
Section 94.16. Liability of City.
The city and an of its agents and employees shall have no liability or
res onsibilit for the operation or effectiveness of an alarms stem and shall
not be subject to an claims demands or actions which may arise out o or in
connection with the failure to respond to an alarm.
Section 2. Article I of this ordinance shall take effect immediately upon
adoption, and the effective date of Article II of this ordinance shall be October
1, 1990.
PASSED ON FIRST READING January 18, 1990
PASSED ON SECOND AND FINAL
READING AND ADOPTED AS AMENDED
Attest:
'tU-y is E. ou eau
Cit Clerk
Approved as to form
and correct ss:
M. A. Ga rait Jr,
City Attorney
Februar I 1990
Rita Garvey
Mayor-Commissioner
14