GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING FALSE ALARMS

SYNOPSIS OF ORDINANCE 83-00

Because of numerous calls for false alarms, the Public Safety Committee of the City of Marysville, Marysville Division of Fire and Marysville Division of Police have addressed these problems in the form of a city ordinance (Ordinance 68-00), which became effective November 9, 2000.

This false alarm ordinance is meant to protect the citizens and emergency services of the Police and Fire Divisions of the City of Marysville.

In particular, please refer to Section 733.11 Excessive Unexcused False Alarms.  This will explain the penalties for false alarms; and Section 733.19 Appeals from False Alarm Fees and Disconnect Orders.

This ordinance also addresses licensing and fees for alarm users and businesses.

The following is an executive summary of Ordinance 68-00:

Alarm businesses (those businesses that repair and install alarm systems) already engaged in providing services and/or alarm system equipment in the City on the effective date of this section shall submit an application for a license no later than February 1^st after the effective date.  Click Here for installer permit. An applicant not previously engaged in providing services as an alarm business in the City on the effective date of this section shall not commence doing business until his application is approved. [see Section 733.05 (c)]  

Application for renewal of an alarm business license shall be due on February 1 of each year and shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee as provided in Section 733.05 of $100.00.  [see Section 733.06 (b)]  

No one shall use an alarm without first obtaining a permit from the City.  Click Here for user permit.  Every alarm user who was using an alarm prior to the effective date of this section, shall within ninety (90) days obtain an alarm user permit for each alarm system within this City from the Zoning Inspector.

Each alarm user shall pay to the City upon application for permit, a one time alarm user fee of ten dollars ($10.00).  This Section does not apply to medical alarm subscribers.  [Section 733.10 first paragraph, (b) (c)]  

If any alarm system produces three (3) false alarms in any twelve (12) consecutive month period, written notice of that fact shall be given by regular mail or delivery to the subscriber.

If more than three (3) false alarms are produced by any alarm system in a twelve (12) month period, an administrative fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be assessed against the alarm user for the fourth false alarm, and an administrative fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall be assessed against the user for the fifth false alarm, a fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) shall be assessed against the user for the sixth false alarm, a fee of five hundred dollars ($500.00) shall be assessed against the user for the seventh false alarm.  Such charges shall continue for each successive false alarm until six (6) consecutive months have elapsed during which time no false alarms have been recorded.  At that time the record will be cleared , and the next false alarm shall be deemed to be the first such incident.   

A false alarm shall not be deemed to have occurred:

(1) If caused by some factor not within the control of the alarm user, (e.g. phone line disruption,  extremely severe weather, etc.) and

(2) If that cause is verified within thirty (30) days of the false alarm by a letter from the applicable alarm business, which letter identifies the problem, declares that it has been resolved, and describes the corrective measures that were taken.

[see Section 733.11 first paragraph, (a),(b)]

An alarm user who has been assessed a false alarm administrative fee may appeal the question of whether or not a false alarm has occurred.