Alarm Permit Request

Please read and review the following City of Seaside ordinance regulating alarm systems that require a police / fire response before submitting a request for alarm permit.

For a printable version of this form, click here.

CHAPTER 90: ALARM SYSTEMS
90.01 Purpose
90.02 Definitions
90.03 Application for Police Department terminal
90.04 Local alarms
90.05 Automatic dialing devices
90.06 False Alarms
90.07 Alarm Testing
90.08 Alarm system salesperson
90.09 Unlawful to program device into 911 line
90.10 Administration and appeal
90.99 Penalty

90.1 PURPOSE The purpose of this chapter is to regulate alarm systems that require a response by the Police or Fire Department to ensure that their use is in the best public interest. (ORD. 85-50, passed 1/13/1986)

§ 90.02 DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

ALARM SYSTEM: Any assembly of equipment, mechanical or electrical, arranged to signal the occurrence of an illegal entry, fire, or other activity requiring urgent attention and to which public safety officers are expected to respond.

ALARM USER: A person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization of any kind in control of any building, structure, or facility wherein an alarm system is maintained.

FALSE ALARM: An alarm signal, eliciting a response by public safety officers when a situation requiring a response by the public safety officers does not exist, but does not include an alarm signal caused by violent conditions of nature or extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the alarm business operator or alarm user.

INTERCONNECT: To connect an alarm system including an automatic dialing device to a telephone line, either directly or through a mechanical device to a telephone, for the purpose of using the telephone line to transmit a message upon the activation of the alarm system.

LOCAL ALARM: An alarm system which utilizes a light, siren, bell, horn, or other similar device to signal the occurrence of an illegal entry, fire, or other activity requiring urgent attention and to which public safety officers are expected to respond.

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS: Member of the Police or Fire Department, employed by the city.

911 LINE: A telephone line that is designated to receive emergency calls by the Seaside 911 Emergency Center. (ORD. 85-50, Passed 1/13/1986) 

90.03 APPLICATION FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT TERMINAL (A) Persons wishing to terminate an alarm system in the Police Department shall apply in writing to the Chief of Police stating the nature of the alarm system, address of the premises to be protected, and the identification of the alarm user and concern if other than the user, who would install and/or maintain the system. (B) The Chief of Police shall review all applications and conduct such other inquiry as appropriate to be satisfied that the proposed system and equipment is acceptable. Upon satisfactory review, a permit describing the premises to be protected and conditions of the permit may be prepared; and when acknowledged by the applicant in writing, becomes valid. (C) All alarm installments and maintenance in the Police Department shall meet requirements as prescribed by the Chief of Police and shall be made by qualified personnel at no expense to the city. (ORD 85-50, passed 1/13/1986). Penalty, see § 90.99.

90.04 LOCAL ALARMS (A) Alarm users with local alarms shall provide the Chief of Police a diagram of the alarm system and the names, addresses, and phone numbers of at least three persons who have authority to enter the protected premises. (B) Local alarms must be silenced or extinguished within 15 minutes of the initial signal. (C) It shall be unlawful for local alarms to utilize any signaling device such as siren or lights similar, in the sole determination of the Chief, to those used on emergency vehicles. (ORD 85-50, passed 1/13/1986), see § 90.99

90.05 AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICES (A) Persons wishing to install an automatic dialing device shall apply in writing to the Chief of Police stating the address of the premises to be protected, and identification of the alarm user, if other than the applicant. The application shall include a signed acknowledgement by the alarm user that said user has read and agrees to the provisions of this chapter. The names, addresses, and phone numbers of at least three persons who have authority to enter the protected premises shall accompany the application. (B) The Chief of Police shall review all applications and conduct such other inquiry as appropriate to be satisfied that the proposed system and equipment is acceptable. Upon satisfactory review, the Chief shall authorize installation of the automatic dialing service. (ORD 85-50, passed 1/13/1986), see § 90.99.

90.06 FALSE ALARMS (A) Signals from an alarm system which are false are a nuisance. (B) For a response to any false alarm beginning with the fourth false alarm in any calendar year, the city shall impose a fee of $25. (C) Any alarm user delinquent in payment of the false alarm fees in excess of 60 days shall be notified by the Chief of Police to deactivate the user’s alarm system. Any system so deactivated shall not be used again until application has been made and approved by the Chief of Police. (ORD 85-50, passed 1/13/1986) see § 90.99.

90.07 ALARM TESTING Whenever an alarm user or alarm system salesperson deems it necessary to test or otherwise intentionally set off or activate an alarm system, he shall notify the Police Department that he intends to test or otherwise intentionally activate an alarm prior to actual testing being conducted. Failure to do so shall result in that user being considered as having had a false alarm. (ORD 85-50, passed 1/13/1986) see § 90.99.

90.08 ALARM SYSTEM SALESPERSONS (A) All alarm system salespersons shall register with the Chief of Police and shall provide the Chief of Police with the names and photographs and a copy of the state protective signal installer licenses of all employees. Said names, photos, and license copies shall be kept current. Identification cards shall then be issued by the Chief of Police to each registered salesperson. Said cards shall contain a full face photo, the name, height, weight, date of birth, name of employing company, capacity of employee (e.g. salesman, repairman, installer) and the signatures of the company authorizing the individual and card holder. Said cards shall be numbered. (B) No alarm system salesperson shall install, repair, maintain, or service any automatic dialing device, local alarm or other alarm system unless: a. Said system is in compliance with the provisions of the chapter, and b. The alarm system salesperson is validly registered pursuant to division (A) above. (ORD 85-50, passed 1/13/1986) see § 90.99.

90.09 UNLAWFUL TO PROGRAM DEVICE INTO 911 LINE It is unlawful for any person to program an automatic dialing device to call the 911 line. (ORD 85-50, passed 1/13/1986) see § 90.99.

90.10 ADMINISTRATION AND APPEAL (A) The Chief of police shall administer the alarm system program and be the determining authority in matters in question regarding removal and status of alarm systems. (B) At such times as an alarm user or alarm system salesperson disagrees with determinations relating to the alarm program, he may appeal in writing to the City Council and shall receive a hearing on the matter. The decision of the City Council will be final. (ORD 85-50, passed 1/13/1986)

90.99 PENALTY Any person violating any of the provisions of the chapter shall be deemed guilty of an offense; and each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which a violation is committed, continued or permitted; and, upon conviction of any such violation, such person shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $500. (ORD 85-50, passed 1/13/1986)