§ 14-34. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

"Alarm" or "alarm system" means any mechanical or electrical device that is arranged, designed, or used to signal the occurrence within Santa Rosa County of a fire, burglary, robbery, or other criminal offense, or other emergency requiring urgent attention, and to which law enforcement or fire protection personnel are expected to respond. Alarm systems include those through which public safety personnel are notified directly of such signals through automatic recording devices or are notified indirectly by way of third persons who monitor the alarm systems and who report such signals to the sheriff's department. Alarm systems also include those designated to register a signal which is so audible, visible or in other ways perceptible outside a protected building structure or facility as to notify persons in the neighborhood or vicinity beyond the signal location who in turn may notify the sheriff's department of the signal. Alarm systems do not include those affixed to automobiles. Alarms in separate structure are to be counted as separate systems even though owned or controlled by the same person or entity.

"False alarm" means an alarm signal eliciting a response by the sheriff's department or any fire department when a situation requiring a response by law enforcement or fire protection personnel does not in fact exist. False alarm does not include an alarm signal caused by violent conditions of nature or other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the alarm operator or alarm user. Alarms resulting from the following conditions are not considered false alarms:

(1)

Criminal activity or unauthorized entry.

(2)

Earthquake or other natural occurrence causing structural damage to the protected premises.

(3)

High winds sufficient to activate motion detection systems or causing physical damage to the protected premises.

(4)

Flooding of the protected premises due to overflow of natural drainage.

(5)

Lightning causing physical damage to the protected premises.

(6)

Telephone line malfunction verified in writing by a telephone company supervisor.

(7)

Electrical service interruption verified by the power company.

(8)

Communication to the sheriff or fire department before a unit is dispatched to investigate clearly indicating that the alarm resulted from authorized entry, authorized system test, or other non-criminal cause.

(9)

An alarm caused on the reasonable but mistaken belief that a fire, burglary, robbery, or other criminal offense, or other emergency is in progress.

(10)

The generation of a false alarm which is beyond the reasonable control of the system user.

"Excessive false alarms" occur when any alarm system produces more than three (3) false alarms in any calendar year; modifications to an existing system shall be entitled to a grace period during which alarms generated by such system shall be deemed non-false alarms, provided further that this grace period shall cease thirty (30) days after installation of or modification to an alarm system; provided further that the sheriff's department shall have the authority to grant an extended grace period for good cause shown upon request.

(Ord. No. 2007-11, § 4, 5-31-07)