HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter 654: Alarm SystemsCodified Jan 90
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ORDINANCE NO. 18-89
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CAPE
CANAVERAL, FLORIDA, CREATING A NEW
CHAPTER 654, CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL
CODE ENTITLED, "ALARM SYSTEMS" ; PRO-
VIDING FOR REGULATION OF ELECTRONIC
AND OTHER FIRE AND POLICE ALARM
SYSTEMS; DEFINING TERMS; ESTABLISHING
THE DUTY OF OWNERS OF SUCH SYSTEMS;
PROVIDING MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT FOR
SUCH SYSTEMS; ESTABLISHING AND RE-
QUIRING PERMITTING OF SUCH SYSTEMS;
ESTABLISHING FEES FOR ALARMS OTHER
THAN VALID RESPONSES; PROVIDING PEN-
ALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Cape
Canaveral, Brevard County, Florida, as follows:
SECTION 1 . That the Cape Canaveral City Code is hereby
amended by establishing a new chapter to be numbered Chapter 654
as follows:
CHAPTER 654
ALARM SYSTEMS
Sec. 654 . 01 Intent. This Chapter is intended to protect
the health, safety and welfare of the people of the City of Cape
Canaveral by preventing the misuse of law enforcement and fire
protection resources caused by false alarms and telephone alarm
devices, thereby allowing these resources to be accessible and
available in the event these resources are truly needed by
members of the community. [Ord. No. 18-89, §1, 2 Jan 90]
Sec. 654.03 Definitions as used in this chapter, the fol-
lowing terms shall have the meanings indicated in this section:
Alarm means a signal (audio, visual , recorded or live) trans-
mitted to or heard or observed by law enforcement or fire
department indicating a predetermined condition. Such alarm is
received either:
a. Via telephone line to a designated position on an alarm
panel ;
b. Via a private alarm service company related to the law
enforcement agency or fire department telephone;
c. Via an automated telephone alarm system, playing a re-
corded message when received on the police or fire
department telephone; or
d . Via an audible or visual signal heard or observed by, or
related to, the law enforcement or fire department
False Alarm means the activation of an alarm by any means
which does not represent the designated condition.
Burglary Alarm means an alarm designed to indicate a condi-
tion of any unlawful entry, forced entry, or attempted forced
entry.
ORDINANCE NO. 18-89
PAGE 1 OF 5
Robbery Alarm means an alarm designed to indicate a
robbery.
Fire Alarm means an alarm system designed to indicate the
presence of fire and/or smoke.
Telephone Alarm System means any alarm system which automati-
cally transmits by telephone line a recorded electronic or
mechanical signal to a telephone instrument at the law enforce-
ment or fire department . Such system is totally automated and
requires no relaying or action by a human being .
Law Enforcement includes the Brevard County Sheriff ' s Depart-
ment, its auxiliary members and the Cape Canaveral Police
Department should same be re-established.
Fire Department means the Cape Canaveral Volunteer Fire De-
partment or other firefighting group having jurisdiction within
the City of Cape Canaveral . [Ord. No. 18-89, §1, 2 Jan 90]
Sec. 654. 05 Duty of Owner or Lessee of Premises.
A. Owners or lessees of any alarm system shall provide re-
sponse to the alarm location, when requested, in order to reset
or disable the alarm system within one-half hour of notification.
Failure to provide such response shall result in a charge of One
Hundred Fifty Dollars ( $150 . 00) for each such occurrence.
B. The operator of every place of business which utilizes
an alarm system, as defined in Sec. 654 . 03 above, shall provide ,
visible from the exterior of said business and adjacent to the
main entrance, a minimum of three ( 3) current working telephone
numbers of persons to he notified in case of emergency or in lieu
thereof have on file with the law enforcement and fire depart-
ments three ( 3) current working telephone numbers of persons to
be notified in case of emergency.
C. All alarm systems having an audible or visual signal at
the premises shall be so equipped so as to automatically shut off
the audible or visual signal after fifteen ( 15 ) minutes, except
those systems required by law to have a longer operating period,
in which case said system shall be so equipped as to automati-
cally shut off the audible or visual signal at the conclusion of
said longer required operating time. [Ord. No. 18-89, §1, 2 Jan 90]
Sec. 654.07 Equipment Maintenance.
A. Each subscriber , at his expense is required to maintain
all components of his alarm system in good working order at all
times to insure that the sensory mechanism used in connection
with such device is adjusted to suppress false indications of
holdups or intrusions or fire or smoke conditions so that the
device will not be activated by impulses due to short flashes of
light, wind , noises, vehicular noise or other forces unrelated to
genuine alarms.
B. No alarm system designed to transmit emergency messages
shall be tested or demonstrated without first notifying the law
enforcement and fire department.
C. Fire alarm systems shall be required to have a maint-
enance contract for testing and inspections in accordance with
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards ; for
example, smoke and/or heat detectors, manual pull stations and
water flow alarms (sprinkler systems) . Copies of the maintenance
contract and test results of the fire alarm system shall be for-
warded to the Fire Chief within thirty ( 30 ) days from the date of
the test. [Ord. No. 18-89, §1, 2 Jan 90]
ORDINANCE NO. 18-89
PAGE 2 OF 5
Sec. 654 . 09 Alarm Permit Required .
A. No person shall install or operate an alarm system
serving a premises or a building, or portion thereof, unless an
alarm permit has been issued hereunder, and is in force, author-
izing the use of such alarm. For any alarm system existing prior
to the effective date of this Ordinance, an alarm permit appli-
cation shall be made within sixty ( 60) days of the effective date
hereof.
B. Any after-the-fact permit issued to persons who ini-
tially failed to obtain a permit shall be issued at twice the
cost of the permit fee. [Ord. No. 18-89, §1, 2 Jan 90]
Sec. 654. 11 Application for. Alarm Permit
A. Application for alarm permits shall be made to the City
of Cape Canaveral on forms provided by the City. The application
shall be signed by the alarm user and shall provide the following
information:
1 . Name, address , and '- telephone number of the alarm user .
2 . Address and telephone number of the alarm user ' s pre-
mises or building to he served by the alarm.
3 . The name, address and telephone number of the person or
persons in charge of the premises or building served by
the alarm.
4 . The name, address and telephone number of the person or
entity installing said alarm.
5 . The name , address and telephone number of the person or
entity monitoring said alarm.
6 . The name, address and telephone number of the person or
entity providing maintenance and repair service to said
alarm.
B. An amended application shall be filed within ten ( 10)
days after any change in the information provided in said appli-
cation. Upon such amendment, a new alarm permit shall be issued
without charge or fee. [Ord. No. 18-89, §1, 2 Jan 90]
Sec. 654. 13 Term of Permit; Fee; Non-Transferability.
A. An alarm permit shall have a term of one ( 1 ) year from
date of issuance, said term to begin October 1 and end September
30. Any alarm permit issued after October 1 will be valid
through September 30.
B. A fifteen dollar ($ 15 . 00) fee shall be charged to the
alarm user by the City for each permit issued, including succes-
sive renewal permits, to defray the cost of regulation.
C. Any alarm permit issued pursuant to this article shall
not be transferable or assignable and shall cover only one ( 1 )
building or premises . [Ord. No. 18-89, §1, 2 Jan 90]
Sec. 654 . 15 Issuance of Alarm Permit. An alarm permit
shall be issued to the alarm user by the City of Cape Canaveral
within ten ( 10 ) days after receipt of said completed application
by the City. An alarm permit shall be denied, if:
A. The requested information is not supplied on the appli-
cation.
B. Material information on the application is incorrect.
C . Any person or entity listed on the application under
Section 654 . 11 (A) ( 4 ) , ( 5 ) and ( 6) (APPLICATIONS FOR PERMIT)
ORDINANCE NO. 18-89
PAGE 3 OF 5
does not possess any required occupational or regulatory license
to conduct the activities required by said Section 654 . 11 (A)
( 4 ) , ( 5 ) and ( 6) , unless the person or entity is the alarm user.
[Ord. No. 18-89, §1, 2 Jan 90]
Sec. 654. 17 Response to Alarms, Corrective Actions, Reports
Required and Fees Charged .
A. For each response by the law enforcement or fire depart-
ments to an alarm, the department will cause a report to be
filed, classifying the alarm as one of the following:
1 . False alarm ( for any reason) or system test with no noti-
fication.
2 . Valid alarm for cause designated.
B. Upon the receipt of a false alarm, either law enforce-
ment or fire department shall issue a written warning notice to
the owner or lessee of the premises involved. The owner or
lessee shall file a written report with the law enforcement/fire
department within five ( 5) working days indicating any and all
measures taken to reduce false alarms.
C. There shall be a service fee charged for any occurrence
set forth in Section 654 . 17 (A) ( 1 ) according to the following
schedule:
1 . First response (none in last six ( 6 ) months ) :
Written Warning .
2 . Second or subsequent response (within a six ( 6 ) month
period) : One Hundred Fifty Dollar ( $ 150 .00) fine.
D. Upon failure of an owner or lessee of a premises to pay
the fee specified within ten ( 10) days, any law enforcement offi-
cer or fire chief shall notify the City Manager who shall then
notify the owner or lessee.
E . If the owner or lessee of a premises disputes or dis-
agrees with the determination of the law enforcement or fire
chief, the owner or lessee may appeal said decision to the City
Manager while paying a filing fee of $ 10 . 00 . No separate notice
of publication of said appeal shall be required. If after the
meeting with the owner or lessee, the City Manager upholds the
determination of the law enforcement or fire chief, he shall
notify the owner or lessee that the City Attorney shall file suit
for collection of the fee, together with all costs incurred, in-
cluding attorney' s fees. [Ord. No. 18-89, §1, 2 Jan 90]
Sec. 654. 19 Telephone Alarm Devices. Telephone alarm de-
vices will be so constructed or installed so as to not seize or
otherwise hold or yre-empt the telephone lines of the police or
fire department. [Ord. No. 18-89, §1, 2 Jan 90]
Sec. 654. 21 Penalties . It shall be unlawful for any person
to violate or fail to comply with any of the provisions of this
Chapter, and any violator shall be subject to the penalties pro-
vided in this Chapter including fees for false alarms ,
disconnection of alarms and costs and attorney' s fees to enforce
this Chapter. [Ord. No. 18-89, §1, 2 Jan 90]
SECTION 2 . All portions of the Code in conflict herewith
are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3 . Severability. In the event a court of competent
jurisdiction shall hold or determine that any part of this Ordi-
nance is invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the
ORDINANCE NO. 18-89
PAGE 4 OF 5
Ordinance shall not be affected thereby and it shall be presumed
that the City Council did not intend to enact such invalid or
unconstitutional provision. It shall further be presumed that
the City Council would have enacted the remainder of this Ordi-
nance without said invalid or unconstitutional provision.
SECTION 4 . This Ordinance shall take effect immediately
upon its adoption.
ADOPTED BY the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral,
Florida, this 2nd day of January , 1990.
[signature]
Mayor
ATTEST:
[signature]
City Clerk
Approved as to Form:
[signature]
City Attorney
First Reading: 12-19-89
Posted: 12-20-89
Advertised: 12-21-89
Second Reading: 2-02-90
NAME YES NO
ARABIAN X
PORTER X
RANDELS absent
SALAMONE X
THURM X
ORDINANCE NO. 18-89
PAGE 5 OF 5
Sgt. McGhee FROM CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL
TO Canaveral Precinct 105 POLK AVENUE • P.O. BOX 326
CAPE CANAVERAL, FL 32920
(407) 783-1100
SUBJECT DATE
ALARM SYSTEM CODE Jan 3, 1990
MESSAGE
Attached please find a copy of Ordinance No. 18-89 which was adopted by
the City Council on January 2, 1990 and establishes fees for false
alarms. The City will print the Warning Notices called for in Section
654 . 17 of the Ordinance.
[signature]
SIGNED Jan Leeser, City Clerk
DETACH AND RETAIN THIS COPY
TO Jim Morgan, Building Official FROM CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL
105 POLK AVENUE • P.O. BOX 326
CAPE CANAVERAL, FL 32920
(407) 783-1100
SUBJECT DATE
ALARM SYSTEM CODE Jan. 3 , 1990
MESSAGE
Attached please find a copy of Ordinance No. 18-89 which was adopted by
the City Council on January 2 , 1990 . We will be working on the forms
that are necessary for the enforcement of this Ordinance.
[signature]
SIGNED Jan Leeser, City Clerk
DETACH AND RETAIN THIS COPY
Retyped
ORDINANCE NO. 18-89
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CAPE
CANAVERAL, FLORIDA, CREATING A NEW
CHAPTER 654 , CITY OF CAPE
CANAVERAL CODE ENTITLED, "ALARM
SYSTEMS"; PROVIDING FOR REGULATION OF
ELECTRONIC AND OTHER FIRE AND POLICE
ALARM SYSTEMS; DEFINING TERMS;
ESTABLISHING THE DUTY OF OWNERS OF SUCH
SYSTEMS; PROVIDING MAINTENANCE
REQUIREMENT FOR SUCH SYSTEMS;
ESTABLISHING AND REQUIRING PERMITTING
OF SUCH SYSTEMS; ESTABLISHING FEES FOR
ALARMS OTHER THAN VALID RESPONSES;
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS;
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CAPE
CANAVERAL, FLORIDA as follows:
SECTION 1. That the Cape Canaveral City Code is hereby
amended by adding a new chapter to be numbered Chapter 654
which chapter shall read as follows:
CHAPTER 654
ALARM SYSTEMS
SEC. 654.01 INTENT.
This section is intended to protect the health, safety and
welfare of the people of the City of Cape Canaveral by preventing the
misuse of law enforcement and fire protection resources caused by
false alarms and telephone alarm devices, thereby allowing these
resources to be accessible and available in the event these resources
are truly needed by members of the community.
Sec. 654.03 DEFINITIONS.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated in this section:
ALARM shall mean a signal (audio, visual, recorded or live)
transmitted to or heard or observed by law enforcement or fire
department indicating a predetermined condition. Such alarm is
received either:
(a) Via telephone line to a designated position on an
alarm panel;
(b) Via a private alarm service company related to the
law enforcement agency or fire department telephone;
(c) Via an automated telephone alarm system, playing
a recorded message when received on the police or
fire department telephone; or
(d) Via an audible or visual signal heard or observed by,
or related to, the law enforcement or fire department.
ORDINANCE NO. 18-89
PAGE 1 OF 6
FALSE ALARM shall mean the activation of an alarm by any
means which does not represent the designated condition.
BURGLARY ALARM shall mean an alarm designed to indicate a
condition of any unlawful entry, forced entry, or attempted forced
entry.
ROBBERY ALARM shall mean an alarm designed to indicate a
robbery.
FIRE ALARM shall mean an alarm system designed to indicate
the presence of fire and/or smoke.
TELEPHONE ALARM SYSTEM, shall mean any alarm system
which automatically transmits by telephone line a recorded
electronic or mechanical signal to a telephone instrument at the law
enforcement or fire department. Such system is totally automated
and requires no relaying or action by a human being.
LAW ENFORCEMENT. Law enforcement shall include the
Brevard County Sheriff's Department, its auxiliary members and the
Cape Canaveral Police Department should same be re-established.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. Fire department shall mean the Cape
Canaveral Volunteer Fire Department or other firefighting group
having jurisdiction within the City of Cape Canaveral.
Sec. 654.05 DUTY OF OWNER OR LESSEE OF PREMISES.
(a) Owners or lessees of any alarm system shall provide
response to the alarm location, when requested, in order to reset or
disable the alarm system within one-half hour of notification. Failure
to provide such response shall result in a charge One Hundred Fifty
Dollars ($150.00) for each such occurrence.
(b) The operator of every place of business which utilizes an
alarm system, as defined in Sec. 654.03 above, shall provide, visible
from the exterior of said business and adjacent to the main entrance,
a minimum of three (3) current working telephone numbers of
persons to be notified in case of emergency or in lieu thereof have on
file with the law enforcement and fire departments three (3) current
working telephone numbers of persons to be notified in case of
emergency.
(c) All alarm systems having an audible or visual signal at the
premises shall be so equipped so as to automatically shut off the
audible or visual signal after fifteen (15) minutes, except those
systems required by law to have a longer operating period, in which
case said system shall be so equipped as to automatically shut off the
audible or visual signal at the conclusion of said longer required
operating time.
Sec. 654.07 EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE.
(a) Each subscriber, at his expense is required to maintain all
components of his alarm system in good working order at all times to
ORDINANCE NO. 18-89
PAGE 2 OF 6
insure that the sensory mechanism used in connection with such
device is adjusted to suppress false indications of holdups or
intrusions or fire or smoke conditions so that the device will not be
activated by impulses due to short flashes of light, wind, noises,
vehicular noise or other forces unrelated to genuine alarms.
(b) No alarm system designed to transmit emergency messages
shall be tested or demonstrated without first notifying the law
enforcement and fire department.
(c) Fire alarm systems shall be required to have a
maintenance contract for testing and inspections in accordance with
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards; for example,
smoke and/or heat detectors, manual pull stations and water flow
alarms (sprinkler systems). Copies of the maintenance contract and
test results of the fire alarm system shall be forwarded to the Fire
Chief within thirty (30) days from the date of the test.
Sec. 654.09 ALARM PERMIT REQUIRED.
(a) No person shall install or operate an alarm system serving
a premises or a building, or portion thereof, unless an alarm permit
has been issued hereunder, and is in force, authorizing the use of
such alarm. For any alarm system existing prior to the effective date
of this ordinance, an alarm permit application shall be made within
sixty (60) days of the effective date hereof.
(b) Any after-the-fact permit issued to persons who initially
failed to obtain a permit shall be issued at twice the cost of the
permit fee.
Sec. 654.11 APPLICATION FOR ALARM PERMIT.
(a) Application for alarm permits shall be made to the City of
Cape Canaveral on forms provided by the City. The application shall
be signed by the alarm user and shall provide the following
information:
(1) Name, address, and telephone number of the
alarm user.
(2) Address and telephone number of the alarm
user's premises or building to be served by
the alarm.
(3) The name, address and telephone number of the
person or persons in charge of the premises or
building served by the alarm.
(4) The name, address and telephone number of
the person or entity installing said alarm.
(5) The name, address and telephone number of
the person or entity monitoring said alarm.
(6) The name, address and telephone number of
the person or entity providing maintenance
and repair service to said alarm.
(b) An amended application shall be filed within ten (10) days
after any change in the information provided in said application.
ORDINANCE NO. 18-89
PAGE 3 OF 6
Upon such amendment, a new alarm permit shall be issued without
charge or fee.
Sec. 654.13 TERM OF PERMIT; FEE; NON-TRANSFERABILITY.
(a) An alarm permit shall have a term of one (1) year from
date of issuance, said term to begin October 1 and end September 30.
Any alarm permit issued after October 1 will be valid through
September 30.
(b) A fifteen dollar ($15.00) fee shall be charged to the alarm
user by the City for each permit issued, including successive renewal
permits, to defray the cost of regulation.
(c) Any alarm permit issued pursuant to this article shall not
be transferable or assignable and shall cover only one (1) building or
premises.
Sec. 654.15 ISSUANCE OF ALARM PERMIT.
An alarm permit shall be issued to the alarm user by the City
of Cape Canaveral within ten (10) days after receipt of said completed
application by the City. An alarm permit shall be denied, if:
(a). The requested information is not supplied on the
application.
(b) Material information on the application is incorrect.
(c) Any person or entity listed on the application under Section
654.11(a) (4), (5) and (6) (APPLICATIONS FOR PERMIT) does not
possess any required occupational or regulatory license to conduct
the activities required by said Section 654.11(a)(4), (5) and (6), unless
the person or entity is the alarm user.
Sec.654.17 RESPONSE TO ALARMS, CORRECTIVE ACTIONS, REPORTS
REQUIRED AND FEES CHARGED.
(a) For each response by the law enforcement or fire
departments to an alarm, the department will cause a report to be
filed, classifying the alarm as one of the following:
(1 ) False alarm (for any reason) or system test
with no notification.
(2) Valid alarm for cause designated.
(b) Upon the receipt of a false alarm, either law enforcement
or fire department shall issue a written warning notice to the owner
or lessee of the premises involved. The owner or lessee shall file a
written report with the law enforcement/fire department within five
(5) working days indicating any and all measures taken to reduce
false alarms.
(c) There shall be a service fee charged for any occurrence set
forth in Section 654.17(a)(1) according to the following schedule:
(1 ) First response (none in last six (6) months):
ORDINANCE NO. 18-89
PAGE 4 OF 6
Written warning.
(2) Second or subsequent response (within a six
(6) month period): One Hundred Fifty Dollar
($150.00) fine.
(d) Upon failure of an owner or lessee of a premises to pay the
fee specified within ten (10) days, any law enforcement officer or
fire chief shall notify the city manager who shall then notify the
owner or lessee.
(e) If the owner or lessee of a premises disputes or disagrees
with the determination of the law enforcement or fire chief, the
owner or lessee may appeal said decision to the City Manager while
paying a filing fee of $10.00. No separate notice of publication of
said appeal shall be required. If after the meeting with the owner or
lessee, the city manager upholds the determination of the law
enforcement or fire chief, he shall notify the owner or lessee that the
city attorney shall file suit for collection of the fee, together with all
costs incurred, including attorney's fees.
Sec. 654.19 TELEPHONE ALARM DEVICES.
Telephone alarm devices will be so constructed or installed so
as to not seize or otherwise hold or preempt the telephone lines of
the police or fire department.
Sec. 654.21 PENALTIES.
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate or fail to comply
with any of the provisions of this Chapter, and any violator shall be
subject to the penalties provided in this Chapter including fees for
false alarms, disconnection of alarms and costs and attorney's fees to
enforce this Chapter.
SECTION 2. Repeal of Inconsistent Provisions. All ordinances
or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. Severability. In the event a court of competent
jurisdiction shall hold or determine that any part of this ordinance is
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the ordinance shall not
be affected thereby and it shall be presumed that the City Council
did not intend to enact such invalid or unconstitutional provision. It
shall further be presumed that the City Council would have enacted
the remainder of this ordinance without said invalid or
unconstitutional provision.
Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective
upon its adoption.
ORDINANCE NO. 18-89
PAGE 5 OF 6
SECTION 5. This ordinance was duly passed on first reading at
a regular meeting of the City Council on the ___ day of
, 1989, and adopted on second and final reading at a
regular meeting of the City Council on the __ day of _________,
19
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Approved as to Form:
City Attorney
ORDINANCE NO. 18-89
PAGE 6 OF 6