Chapter 8.64
ALARM SYSTEMS
Sections:
8.64.010 Definitions.
8.64.015 Administration; Funding; Increases in Fees; Annual Evaluation.
8.64.020 Alarm User Registration Requirements and Fees.
8.64.021 Alarm User Registration Application and Contents.
8.64.022 Terms of Alarm User Registration; Transfer of Registration Prohibited.
8.64.025 Duties of Alarm Users.
8.64.030 Audible Alarms; Restrictions.
8.64.035 Duties of Alarm Installation Companies and Monitoring Companies.
8.64.040 Business Registration of Alarm Installation and Monitoring Companies.
8.64.045 Duties and Authority of the Alarm Administrator.
8.64.050 False Alarm Fees.
8.64.055 Notice to Alarm Users of False Alarms and Suspension of Sheriff Response.
8.64.060 Suspension of Sheriff Response to Alarm Sites.
8.64.065 Appeals of Determinations Regarding Alarm Registrations and Fees.
8.64.070 Reinstatement of Suspended Alarm Registrations.
8.64.075 Revocation of Alarm User Registration and Business Registration.
8.64.080 Confidentiality of Alarm Information.
8.64.085 Scope of Sheriff Duty; Immunities Preserved.
8.64.090 Service Charges.
8.64.010 Definitions.
A. "Alarm Administrator" means the person designated by the Sheriff to administer the
provisions of this Chapter.
B. "Alarm dispatch request" means a notification to the Sheriff that an alarm, either manual
or automatic, has been activated at a particular alarm site.
C. "Alarm installation company" means a person in the business of selling, providing,
maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing an alarm
system at an alarm site for compensation, and includes individuals or firms that install
and service alarm systems used in a private business or proprietary facility.
D. "Alarm registration" means registration issued by the Alarm Administrator to an alarm
user which authorizes the operation of an alarm system.
E. "Alarm Response Manager (ARM)" means a person designated by an alarm installation
company or monitoring company to handle alarm issues for the company and act as the
primary point of contact for the Sheriff Alarm Administrator and Alarm Coordinator.
F. "Alarm site" means a location served by one or more alarm systems. In a multi-unit
building or complex, each unit shall be considered a separate alarm site if served by a
separate alarm system. In a single unit building that houses two or more separate
businesses with separate alarm systems, each business will be considered a separate
alarm site.
G. "Alarm system" means a device or series of devices which emit or transmit an audible or
remote visual or electronic alarm signal which is intended to summon law enforcement
response. The term includes hardwired systems and systems interconnected with a radio
frequency method such as cellular or private radio signals, and includes local alarm
systems. This term does not include an alarm installed in a motor vehicle, nor on one's
person, or an alarm system designed solely to alert the occupants of a building or
residence which will not emit a signal either audible or visible from outside the building
or residence.
H. "Alarm user" means any person who has contracted for monitoring, repair, installation
or maintenance service for an alarm system from an alarm company, or who owns or
operates an alarm system which is not monitored, maintained or repaired under
agreement.
I. "Alarm user awareness class" means a class conducted for the purpose of educating
alarm users about the responsible use, operation, and maintenance of alarm systems and
the problems created by false alarms.
J. "Arming station" means a device that controls an alarm system.
K. "Automatic voice dialer" means any electronic, mechanical, or other device which, when
activated, is capable of being programmed to send a prerecorded voice message to a law
enforcement agency requesting a patrol dispatch to an alarm site.
L. "Business registration" means the registration issued by the Sheriff Alarm Administrator
to an alarm installation company or monitoring company to sell, install, monitor, repair,
or replace alarm systems. The term does not include a business license issued by Pierce
County or a license issued by the State Fire Marshal for fire alarm systems.
M. "Cancellation" means the termination of Sheriff response to an alarm site after dispatch
request is made but before a deputy has arrived at the alarm site.
N. "CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System) Certified" means that the address exists in
the U.S. Postal Service Directory and that it conforms to the Directory's standardized
format.
O. "Conversion" means the transaction or process by which one alarm installation company
or monitoring company begins the servicing or monitoring of a previously unmonitored
alarm system or an alarm system that was previously serviced or monitored by another
alarm company.
P. "Duress alarm" means a silent alarm system signal generated by the entry of a
designated code into an arming station in order to signal that the alarm user is being
forced to turn off the system and requires law enforcement response.
Q. "Enhanced Call Verification" means that prior to requesting law enforcement dispatch, a
second telephone call is made to a different telephone number if the first attempt fails to
reach an alarm user who can determine whether an alarm signal is valid.
R. "False alarm" means an alarm dispatch request to the Sheriff which results in the
responding deputy finding no evidence of a criminal offense or attempted criminal
offense after completing an investigation of the alarm site.
S. "Holdup alarm" means a silent alarm signal generated by the manual activation of a
device intended to signal a robbery in progress.
T. "Local alarm system" means an unmonitored alarm system that annunciates an alarm
only at the alarm site.
U. "Monitoring" means the process by which a monitoring company receives signals from
an alarm system and relays an alarm dispatch request to the Sheriff.
V. "Monitoring company" means the company that contracts with the alarm user to provide
monitoring services.
W. "One plus duress alarm" means the manual activation of a silent alarm signal by entering
a code that adds one number to the last digit of the normal arm/disarm code (e.g., normal
code = 1234, one plus duress code = 1235).
X. "Panic alarm" means an alarm system signal generated by the manual activation of a
device intended to signal a life threatening or emergency situation requiring law
enforcement response.
Y. "Person" means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
association, organization or similar entity.
Z. "Protective or reactive alarm system" means an alarm system that produces a temporary
disability or sensory deprivation through use of chemical, electrical, sonic or other
means, including use of devices that obscure or disable a person's vision.
AA. "Responsible party" means a person capable of appearing at the alarm site upon request
who has access to the alarm site, the code to the alarm system and the authority to
approve repairs to the alarm system.
BB. "Robbery alarm" means an alarm signal generated by the manual or automatic activation
of a device, or any system, device or mechanism on or near the premises intended to
signal that a robbery or other crime is in progress, and that a person is in need of
immediate law enforcement assistance in order to avoid bodily harm, injury or death.
The term has the same general meaning as "holdup alarm."
CC. "Sheriff" means Pierce County Sheriff's Office.
DD. "SIA Control Panel Standard CP-01" means the ANSI – American National Standard
Institute-approved Security Industry Association – SIA CP-01 Control Panel Standard,
as may be updated from time to time, that details recommended design features for
security system control panels and their associated arming and disarming devices to
reduce the incidence of false alarms. Control panels built and tested to this standard by
Underwriters Laboratory (UL), or other nationally recognized testing organizations are
marked as follows: "Design evaluated in accordance with SIA CP-01 Control Panel
Standard Features for False Alarm Reduction."
EE. "Takeover" means the transaction or process by which an alarm user takes over control
of an existing alarm system which was previously controlled by another alarm user.
FF. "Verified Response" means that prior to the monitoring company making an alarm
dispatch request they have verified that the alarm activation is likely a result of criminal
activity or an emergency condition. This verification may be one of the following:
1. The monitoring company has contacted the alarm site and spoken to a person to
confirm that a criminal act has occurred or is occurring, requiring law enforcement
to respond; or
2. The alarm site is equipped with an interior live-time video or audio monitored
remotely by the monitoring company or the alarm user, and it can be seen or heard
that a criminal act has occurred or is occurring, requiring law enforcement to
respond; or
3. The alarm site is equipped with an approved SIA CP-01 control panel which has
confirmed that at least two independent zones, (e.g., an exterior perimeter and an
interior zone) had been triggered and the alarm site has an alarm system where:
a. All glass break sensors are dual technology type, and
b. All motion detectors are dual technology type, and
c. The monitoring company has completed the "Enhanced Call Verification" to the
alarm user; or
4. The alarm is an older system and not in compliance with the SIA standard, therefore,
the monitoring company must:
a. Insure that they have received two or more alarm signals during the same alarm
event period (10 minutes).
GG. "Verify" means an attempt by the monitoring company, or its representative, to contact
the alarm site and/or alarm user, or both, by telephone or other electronic means to
determine whether an alarm signal is valid before making an alarm dispatch request.
HH. "Zones" means division of devices into which an alarm system is divided to indicate the
general location from which an alarm system signal is transmitted.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.015 Administration; Funding; Increases in Fees; Annual Evaluation.
A. Responsibility for administration of this Chapter is vested with the Sheriff.
B. The Sheriff shall designate an Alarm Administrator to carry out the duties and functions
described in this Chapter.
C. Monies generated by false alarm service fees and registration fees assessed pursuant to
this Chapter shall be deposited into the appropriate Sheriff Department revenue
accounts.
D. Based upon a review and recommendation from the Sheriff, the fees set forth in this
Chapter may be modified by the County Council. The Sheriff or its contract
representative shall post the fees on the Sheriff web site and notify the alarm companies
and monitoring companies. These companies shall then be responsible to notify their
customers of these fees. For purposes of this subsection, "fees" include any type or class
of fee and include late fees and penalties.
E. The Sheriff shall conduct an annual evaluation and analysis of the effectiveness of this
Chapter and identify and implement system improvements as warranted.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.020 Alarm User Registration Requirements and Fees.
A. Alarm sites must be registered.
1. An alarm user shall not operate, or cause to be operated, any alarm system without a
valid alarm registration. A separate alarm registration is required for each alarm site
having a distinct address or business name. A separate alarm registration is required
for each alarm site with the same address having a distinct and separate alarm system
(i.e., detached shops or garages on residential property). The initial alarm
registration fee must be paid by the alarm user to the Alarm Administrator within ten
days after any alarm system installation or alarm system takeover.
2. Alarm fees. The fees for an alarm registration or an alarm registration renewal are
as follows:
a. Registration Fee: $24.00 (residential) $24.00 (commercial)
b. Annual Renewal Fee: $24.00 (residential) $24.00 (commercial)
c. Reduced Rates for Senior Citizens, 65 years of age or older, and individuals with
a permanent disability (residential only):
(1) Registration Fee: $12.00
(2) Annual Renewal Fee: $12.00
In order to qualify for the senior rate, applicants must provide proof of age, be
listed as the property owner or lessee and must have the alarm contract in their
name.
In order to qualify as an individual with a permanent disability the individual
must provide proof of permanent disability. Proof may be in the form of a U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs Identification Card or documentation showing at
least 30 percent permanent disability, a Washington Department of Licensing
parking placard issued for permanent disability under RCW 46.16.381, or any other
means that the Sheriff deems an appropriate proof of permanent disability. In
addition, the individual must be listed as the property owner or lessee and must have
the alarm contract in their name.
d. An alarm user who upgrades an older alarm system that does not have the ability
to report (at a minimum) two or more alarm signals shall have their next
registration fee or renewal fee waived if the alarm user provides proof of the
upgrade (for example a copy of the receipt).
3. Late fees. Alarm users who fail to obtain and/or make payment for an alarm
registration or renewal within 30 days after notification will be assessed a late fee in
the amount of $25.00.
4. Refunds. No refund of a registration or registration renewal fee will be made.
5. Existing alarm systems. Any alarm system which was installed before the effective
date of this Chapter must be registered by the alarm user within 90 days after the
effective date of this Chapter. An alarm installation company or monitoring
company shall, within 30 days after being notified in writing from the Alarm
Administrator, provide a list of existing alarm users in unincorporated Pierce County
to the Alarm Administrator to include name, address, billing address, and telephone
number. Failure to comply and provide customer lists to the Alarm Administrator,
as required, will result in a fine of $25.00 per working day (after the initial 30-day
notice expires, i.e., day 31) until the alarm installation company or monitoring
company complies with the requirement. Failure to comply will also result in
automatic suspension of their business registration.
6. New alarm systems. Any alarm installation company that installs an alarm system
on premises within unincorporated Pierce County after the effective date of this
Chapter must notify the Alarm Administrator within ten days after the date of
installation and provide the name, address, billing address, and telephone number of
the alarm user and a copy of the Customer False Alarm Prevention Checklist. The
failure to notify in accordance with the terms of this subsection shall result in a
$100.00 administrative penalty against the alarm installation company.
7. Upon receipt of a completed alarm registration application form and the alarm
registration fee, the Alarm Administrator shall authorize response to the applicant
unless:
a. The applicant has failed to pay a false alarm fee or fine assessed under Chapter
8.64 PCC.
b. An alarm registration for the alarm site has been suspended, and the violation
causing the suspension has not been corrected.
8. Upon receipt of the registration application form and fee, the Alarm Administrator
shall authorize response to the alarm user, which is valid for a one-year period.
Renewal registrations are valid for one year.
9. Government entities, including but not necessarily limited to Pierce County and
Pierce County School Districts, must obtain registrations for all alarm systems on
property under their control within unincorporated Pierce County, but are exempt
from payment of registration and renewal fees.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.021 Alarm User Registration Application and Contents.
A. An application for alarm registration must be on a form provided by the Alarm
Administrator and must contain the following information:
1. The name, complete address (CASS Certified), including apartment or suite number,
and telephone numbers of the person who will be the holder of the registration and
be responsible for the proper maintenance and operation of the alarm system and
payment of fees assessed under this Chapter;
2. The physical alarm site address (CASS Certified) and classification as either
residential (includes apartment, condo, mobile home, etc.) or commercial;
3. The classification (i.e., burglary, holdup, duress, panic alarm or other) for each alarm
system located at the alarm site and, for each classification, whether the alarm is
audible or silent;
4. The applicant's mailing address (CASS Certified), if different from the address of the
alarm site;
5. Any dangerous or special conditions present at the alarm site;
6. The type of business conducted at a commercial alarm site;
7. A written certification from the alarm user setting forth the following:
a. The date of installation, conversion or takeover of the alarm system, whichever is
applicable;
b. The name, address, and telephone number of the alarm installation company or
companies performing the alarm system installation, conversion or takeover and
of the alarm installation company responsible for providing repair service to the
alarm system;
c. The name, address, and telephone number of the monitoring company if different
from the alarm installation company;
d. That a set of written operating instructions for the alarm system, including
written guidelines on how to avoid false alarms, have been left with the applicant
by the alarm installation company; and
e. That the alarm installation company has trained the applicant in proper use of the
alarm system, including instructions on how to avoid false alarms.
8. An acknowledgement that the Sheriff response may be influenced by factors
including, but not limited to, the availability of deputies, priority of calls, traffic
conditions, emergency conditions and staffing levels;
9. Any false statement of a material fact made by an applicant for the purpose of
obtaining an alarm registration is sufficient cause for refusal to issue a registration,
or revocation of an existing registration.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.022 Terms of Alarm User Registration; Transfer of Registration Prohibited.
A. An alarm registration cannot be transferred to another person or alarm site. An alarm
user shall inform the Alarm Administrator of any change to the information listed on the
alarm registration application within five business days after such change. Exceptions
may be made at the discretion of the Alarm Administrator or Alarm Coordinator when
the transfer proposed is among members of the family of the original registration holder
or successors in interest to the property for which the registration has been issued.
B. An alarm registration shall expire one year after the date of issuance, and must be
renewed annually by submitting a renewal application and a renewal fee to the Alarm
Administrator. The Alarm Administrator shall notify each alarm user of the need to
renew 30 days prior to the expiration of the registration. It is the responsibility of the
alarm user to submit a renewal application prior to the expiration date. A $25.00 late fee
shall be assessed to the alarm user if the renewal application fee is received more than
30 days after the notice is sent.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.025 Duties of Alarm Users.
A. An alarm user shall:
1. Complete the Customer False Alarm Prevention Checklist available from their alarm
installation company or through the Sheriff online website, and send the checklist to
the Alarm Administrator.
2. Maintain the alarm site and the alarm system in a manner that will minimize or
eliminate false alarms;
3. Make every reasonable effort to arrive at the alarm system's location within 30
minutes after being requested by the monitoring company or law enforcement
agency in order to:
a. Deactivate an alarm system;
b. Provide access to the alarm site; and/or
c. Provide alternative security for the alarm site.
4. Provide to the monitoring company the names and telephone numbers of at least two
individuals who are able and have agreed to:
a. Receive notification of an alarm system activation at any time;
b. Respond to the alarm site at any time in the presence of the Pierce County
Sheriff; and
c. Provide access to the alarm site and deactivate the alarm system, if necessary.
An alarm user will notify the monitoring company when this information changes.
5. Not activate an alarm system for any reason other than an occurrence of an event
that the alarm system was intended to report.
B. An alarm user shall not use automatic voice dialers for any type of alarm system. No
person shall operate or cause to be operated any automatic dialing device which, when
activated, uses a telephone device or attachment to automatically select a telephone line
leading into the Sheriff or transmit any prerecorded message or signal.
Waiver: An automatic voice dialer is allowed as long as it is not connected to the
Sheriff. It may be used to alert the user only or others.
C. An alarm user shall not use any type of alarm system that is rigged to produce a
temporary disability or sensory deprivation through use of chemical, electrical, sonic or
other means, including use of devices that obscure or disable one's vision.
D. Installation of a protective-reactive device can only be done with the prior written
approval of the Sheriff or his/her designee. During any alarm at such a site, a
responsible party must be contacted and confirm that he or she will respond to the alarm
site to disarm the device.
E. After the effective date of this Chapter, an alarm user shall not operate or cause to be
operated any alarm system capable of sending one plus duress alarms. Within 180 days
of the effective date of this Chapter, all alarm users shall authorize their alarm
installation company to reprogram all existing duress alarms which utilize a one plus
duress code.
F. After the effective date of this Chapter, an alarm user shall not operate or cause to be
operated any alarm system with single action or non-recessed button robbery, duress, or
panic devices. Within 180 days of the effective date of this Chapter, all alarm users
shall authorize their alarm installation company to replace existing single-action devices
with devices that have dual action at a minimum.
G. An alarm user shall keep a set of written operating instructions for each alarm system at
each alarm site.
H. All alarm users shall agree with their alarm installation company or monitoring company
to go through an "acclimation period" for the first seven days after installation of an
alarm system, during which time the alarm installation company or monitoring company
will have no obligation to respond to, nor will it respond to, any alarm signal from the
alarm site, or make an alarm dispatch request to law enforcement, even if the alarm
signal is the result of an actual alarm event. Exceptions to the "acclimation period" of
non-response can be made by the Sheriff in special circumstances, including but not
limited to, domestic violence and stalking.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.030 Audible Alarms; Restrictions.
A. After the effective date of this Chapter, it is a violation of this Chapter for any person to
operate an alarm system in the County of Pierce that has a siren, bell or other signal
audible from any property adjacent to the alarm site that sounds for longer than ten
consecutive minutes after the alarm is activated, or that repeats the ten minute alarm
cycle more than three consecutive times without resetting. Violators will be fined in
accordance with the penalties for false alarms.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.035 Duties of Alarm Installation Companies and Monitoring Companies.
A. Each alarm installation company and monitoring company must designate one
individual as the Alarm Response Manager (ARM) for the company who will manage
alarm related issues and act as the point of contact for the Alarm Administrator and
Alarm Coordinator. The appointed individual must be knowledgeable of the general
provisions of this Chapter, as well as have the knowledge and authority to deal with
false alarm issues and respond to requests from the Alarm Administrator and Alarm
Coordinator. The name, telephone number, and email address of the designated ARM
must be provided to the Alarm Administrator. Failure to comply will result in the
suspension of the alarm company business registration. A reinstatement fee of at least
$100.00, or $10.00 per registered user if letters have been sent (per subsection 8.64.055
B.) whichever is the greater amount, will be charged. This will cover the administration
action costs for this Chapter.
B. Upon the installation or activation of an alarm system, the alarm installation company
shall distribute to the alarm user information summarizing:
1. The applicable law relating to false alarms, including the potential for penalties and
revocation or suspension of an alarm registration;
2. How to prevent false alarms; and
3. How to operate the alarm system; and
4. The Customer False Alarm Prevention Checklist available through the Sheriff online
website.
C. After the effective date of this Chapter, alarm installation companies shall not program
alarm systems so that they are capable of sending one plus duress alarms. Within 180
days of the effective date of this Chapter, alarm installation companies shall reprogram
all existing duress alarms which utilize a one plus duress code.
D. Alarm installation companies shall not install single action or non-recessed button
robbery, duress, or panic devices, and within 180 days of the effective date of this
Chapter, replace existing single-action devices with devices that have dual action at a
minimum.
E. Ninety days after the effective date of this Chapter, an alarm installation company shall,
on new installations, use only alarm control panel(s) which meet ANSI/SIA CP-01 –
Control Panel Standard – Features for False Alarm Reduction.
F. An alarm company shall not use an automatic voice dialer which calls the Sheriff or
Sheriff's designee, for any alarm system.
G. After completion of the installation of an alarm system, an employee of the alarm
installation company shall review with the alarm user the customer false alarm
prevention checklist or an equivalent checklist approved by the Alarm Administrator,
giving the alarm user instructions to send the completed checklist to the Alarm
Administrator.
H. After completion of the installation of an alarm system, an employee of the alarm
installation company shall complete the Installer False Alarm Prevention Program
Checklist, and send the completed checklist to the Alarm Administrator.
I. A monitoring company shall not make an alarm dispatch request to an alarm signal
during the first seven-day "acclimation period" after an alarm system installation.
Exceptions to the "acclimation period" of non-response can be made by the Sheriff in
special circumstances, including but not limited to, domestic violence and stalking.
J. A monitoring company shall employ "Verified Response" and:
1. Report alarm signals by using telephone numbers designated by the Alarm
Administrator, ensuring they have received two or more alarm signals during the
same alarm event (10) minutes.
2. Employ "Enhanced Call Verification" by attempting to verify by telephone the
validity of every alarm signal, except duress or holdup alarm activation, before
requesting law enforcement response to an alarm system signal. Verification before
requesting law enforcement dispatch also requires that a second telephone call be
made to a different phone number if the first attempt fails to reach an alarm user who
can determine whether an alarm signal is valid. Names and telephone numbers of
those persons contacted or attempted to be contacted must be provided to the Alarm
Administrator, Alarm Coordinator or Sheriff upon request.
3. Communicate alarm dispatch requests to the Sheriff in a manner and form
determined by the Alarm Administrator.
4. Communicate cancellations to the Sheriff in a manner and form determined by the
Alarm Administrator.
5. Ensure that all alarm users of alarm systems equipped with a duress, holdup or panic
alarm are given adequate training as to the proper use of the alarm.
6. Communicate any available information (north, south, front, back, floor, etc.) about
the location of an alarm signal as part of an alarm dispatch request.
7. Communicate the type of alarm activation (silent or audible, interior or perimeter), if
available, on any alarm dispatch request.
8. Installation of a protective-reactive device can only be done with the prior written
approval of the Sheriff or his/her designee. During any alarm at such a site, a
responsible party must be contacted and confirm that he or she will respond to the
alarm site to disarm the device. In all cases where a protective-reactive device is
present at an alarm site, the patrol dispatch request shall include a warning for
deputies not to enter the alarm site until the responsible party is present and has
disarmed the device. Failure to provide this warning to deputies shall result in a
$200.00 fee to the monitoring company.
9. Prior to making an alarm dispatch request, attempt to notify the alarm user to send a
responsible party to the alarm site, in order to:
a. Deactivate an alarm system;
b. Provide access to the alarm site; and/or
c. Provide alternative security for the alarm site.
10. After an alarm dispatch request, promptly advise the Sheriff if the alarm company
knows that the alarm user or a responsible party is on the way to the alarm site;
11. Each monitoring company must maintain, for a period of at least one year after the
date of an alarm dispatch request, all records relating to the alarm dispatch request.
Records must include the name, address and telephone number of the alarm user,
each alarm system zone activated, the time of alarm dispatch request and evidence of
all attempts to verify. The Alarm Administrator or Alarm Coordinator may request
copies of such records for any individual alarm user. If the request is made within
60 days after an alarm dispatch request, the monitoring company shall furnish
requested records within three business days after receiving the request. If the
records are requested between 60 days and 1 year after an alarm dispatch request, the
monitoring company shall furnish the requested records within 30 days after
receiving the request. Failure to comply will result in an immediate suspension of
response and $1.00 per day per customer service fee.
12. Each monitoring company shall, upon request, immediately provide the Sheriff with
the names and phone numbers of the alarm user's emergency contacts at the time of
each alarm dispatch request.
K. Existing Accounts.
1. Ninety days prior to the effective date of this Chapter, an alarm installation company
or monitoring company shall provide the Alarm Administrator with a complete list
of active customers, to assist the Alarm Administrator with creating and maintaining
tracking data. The customer information must be provided as outlined in subsection
2. below.
2. On or before the first day of January of each year, an alarm installation company or
monitoring company shall provide the Alarm Administrator with a complete list of
active customers in unincorporated Pierce County, to assist the Alarm Administrator
with creating and maintaining tracking data. The customer information must be
provided in a format the alarm company is capable of producing and must include
the following:
a. Customer name;
b. Customer billing address (must be CASS Certified);
c. Customer telephone number;
d. Alarm site address (must be CASS Certified); and
e. Alarm company license number.
L. Purchased Accounts. An alarm installation company or monitoring company that
purchases any alarm system account from another company shall notify the Alarm
Administrator of such purchase and shall provide to the Alarm Administrator, within 30
days from the date of acquisition, a complete list of the acquired customers, in a format
the alarm company is capable of producing, that includes the following:
1. Customer name;
2. Customer billing address (must be CASS Certified);
3. Customer telephone number;
4. Alarm site address (must be CASS Certified); and
5. Alarm company license number.
M. The customer lists described in subsections K. and L. above are proprietary and
confidential information and will not be released to anyone absent a court order.
N. Failure to provide customer lists to the Alarm Administrator, as required in subsections
K. and L. above, will result in a fine of $25.00 per working day until the alarm
installation company or monitoring company complies with the requirement. Failure to
pay this fine will result in the immediate suspension of their business registration.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.040 Business Registration of Alarm Installation and Monitoring Companies.
A. Every alarm installation company and every monitoring company shall obtain a business
registration from the Sheriff Alarm Administrator and pay an annual fee of $100.00 to
Pierce County. Failure to pay the annual fee within 30 days after notice requires the
payment of a late fee of $25.00.
B. The Sheriff will not respond to any alarm dispatch request from any alarm installation
company or monitoring company that does not possess a current, valid business
registration issued pursuant to this Chapter.
C. The Alarm Administrator shall notify all known alarm users subscribing to an
unregistered alarm installation company or an unregistered monitoring company that the
company is unregistered and that the Sheriff will no longer respond to the user's alarms.
A reinstatement fee of at least $100.00 or $10.00 per alarm user, if letters have been sent
by the Alarm Administrator, whichever is the greater amount, will be charged to the
alarm installation company or monitoring company. This will cover the administration
action costs for this Chapter.
D. The fee imposed by this Chapter is in addition to all other fees levied by Pierce County.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.045 Duties and Authority of the Alarm Administrator.
A. The Alarm Administrator shall:
1. Designate the manner and form of alarm dispatch requests and the telephone
numbers to be used for such requests; and
2. Establish a procedure to accept cancellation of alarm dispatch requests.
B. The Alarm Administrator shall establish a procedure to acquire and record information
on alarm dispatch requests including the following information:
1. Identification of the alarm site;
2. The date and time alarm dispatch request was received, including the name of the
monitoring company and the monitoring operator's name or number;
3. Date and time of a deputy's arrival at the alarm site;
4. The alarm zone and zone description, if available;
5. Name of alarm user's personal representative present at the alarm site, if any;
6. Whether a deputy was unable to locate the address of the alarm site; and
7. The cause of the alarm signal, if known.
C. The Alarm Administrator shall establish and implement a procedure to notify the alarm
user of a false alarm. The notice shall include the following:
1. The date and time of a deputy's response to the false alarm; and
2. A statement urging the alarm user to ensure that the alarm system is properly
operated, inspected, and serviced in order to avoid false alarms and resulting false
alarm fees.
3. The false alarm fees incurred.
D. The Alarm Administrator may require that a conference be held with an alarm user and
the alarm installation company or monitoring company responsible for repairing or
monitoring of the alarm system to review the circumstances of each false alarm. The
conference may be held in person or through a conference telephone call, at the Alarm
Administrator's discretion. Failure to participate by any of the notified parties will result
in suspension of their alarm user registration or the alarm company business registration
after a written notice has been sent.
E. The Alarm Administrator may establish an alarm user awareness class. The Alarm
Administrator may request the assistance of associations, alarm companies and law
enforcement agencies in developing and implementing the class. The class shall inform
alarm users of the problems created by false alarms and teach alarm users how to avoid
creating false alarms.
F. If a false holdup alarm has occurred and the alarm was triggered using a single action,
non-recessed button, the Alarm Administrator may consider a waiver of the false alarm
fee if action is taken by the alarm user to remove or replace the single action, nonrecessed
button.
G. The Alarm Administrator will make a copy of this Chapter and/or a summary sheet
available to each alarm user.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.050 False Alarm Fees.
A. An alarm user shall pay the following fees to the Alarm Administrator for Sheriff
response to any false alarm or robbery alarm:
1. General False Alarm Fee: $100.00 for each false alarm;
2. Robbery False Alarm Fee: $200.00 for each false alarm;
3. If a false alarm fee is not paid within 30 days after the invoice is mailed, a late fee to
the alarm user in the amount of $25.00 shall be imposed.
B. Fees for False Alarms by Unregistered Alarm Systems. In addition to the fees set forth
in subsection A. above, a supplemental fee is hereby imposed upon any person operating
an unregistered alarm system in the amount of $100.00 for each false alarm. The Alarm
Administrator may waive this additional fee for an unregistered system if the alarm user
submits an application for alarm registration within ten business days after receiving
notice of such violation.
C. If cancellation of Sheriff response occurs prior to a deputy arriving at the alarm site, the
response is not considered a false alarm for the purpose of fees, and no penalty will be
assessed.
D. The Alarm Administrator may waive a false alarm fee due to a history of false alarms
that is identified as chronic equipment failure.
E. The alarm installation company shall be assessed a fee of $100.00 if the deputy
responding to the false alarm determines that an on-site employee of the alarm
installation company directly caused the false alarm. Such false alarms are not included
in the total number of false alarms for the alarm user.
F. A fee of $100.00 is hereby imposed against any monitoring company that fails to verify
alarm system signals as required in PCC 8.64.035.
G. A fee in the amount of $200.00 is hereby imposed on an alarm installation company if
the Alarm Administrator determines that an employee of the alarm installation company
knowingly made a false statement concerning the inspection of an alarm site or the
performance of an alarm system.
H. Notice of the right of appeal under this Chapter will be included with notice of any
penalty.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.055 Notice to Alarm Users of False Alarms and Suspension of Sheriff Response.
A. The Alarm Administrator shall notify the alarm user in writing after each false alarm.
The notice shall include the amount of the fee for the false alarm, the fact that response
will be suspended after the third false alarm in a one-year registration period (excluding
duress, holdup and panic alarms), and a description of the appeals procedure available to
the alarm user.
B. The Alarm Administrator shall notify the alarm user and the alarm installation company
or monitoring company in writing thirty days before an alarm response is to be
suspended. Suspension of alarm response does not apply to duress, robbery, holdup and
panic alarms. The notice of suspension must also include the amount of the fee for each
false alarm and a description of the appeals procedure available to the alarm user and the
alarm installation company or monitoring company.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.060 Suspension of Sheriff Response to Alarm Sites.
A. It is a violation of this Chapter to make an alarm dispatch request for a suspended alarm
site.
B. The Alarm Administrator shall notify the Sheriff and alarm installation company and/or
monitoring company of each alarm user whose alarm registration qualifies for
suspension under this Chapter. The Alarm Administrator shall suspend an alarm
registration if it is determined that:
1. The alarm user has had three or more false alarms within one year after the date of
issuance of their annual registration, except that the Alarm Administrator may waive
a suspension of a registration upon receipt of documented work orders showing
numerous attempts to repair the alarm system;
2. There is a false statement of a material fact in the application for a registration; or
3. The alarm user fails or refuses to pay a false alarm fee or late fee assessed under this
Chapter.
C. It is unlawful for a monitoring company to make an alarm dispatch request to an alarm
site after the company has been notified by the Alarm Administrator that the registration
for that alarm site has been suspended. The monitoring company must pay a $200.00
fee to the Alarm Administrator for each such dispatch to an alarm site. If the penalty is
not paid to the Alarm Administrator within 30 days, a late fee of $25.00 is hereby
imposed on the alarm company.
D. Unless there is a separate indication that there is a crime in progress, Emergency
Communications (Dispatch) shall not dispatch a deputy to an alarm site for which an
alarm registration is suspended.
E. If an alarm registration is reinstated, the Sheriff may again suspend the alarm
registration if it is determined that two false alarms have occurred within 180 days after
the reinstatement date. The exception set forth in subsection B.1. applies to any such
suspension.
F. This subsection applies to alarm systems, except holdup alarms, robbery alarms and
panic alarms, which are subject to suspension at the discretion of the Alarm
Administrator.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.065 Appeals of Determinations Regarding Alarm Registrations and Fees.
A. If the Alarm Administrator assesses a fee, suspends an alarm registration or denies the
issuance, renewal or reinstatement of an alarm registration, the Alarm Administrator
shall send written notice of the action and a statement of the right to appeal to the
affected applicant or alarm user and the alarm installation company or monitoring
company.
B. The alarm user, alarm installation company or monitoring company may appeal any
action described in A. above to the designated administrator of the Sheriff by setting
forth in writing the reasons for the appeal and delivering the appeal to the Sheriff within
20 business days after receipt of notice of the action. Failure to deliver the appeal within
that time period is a waiver of the right to appeal.
C. The procedure for an appeal to the Sheriff is as follows:
1. The applicant, alarm user, alarm installation company or monitoring company may
file a written request for appeal by paying an appeal fee of $50.00 to the Sheriff and
setting forth the reasons for the appeal. The appeal must be entitled "Appeal from
Alarm Administrator's Action." Appeal fees will be returned to the appealing party
if the appeal is successful. Upon good cause shown, the designated administrator of
the Sheriff may, in the exercise of discretion, waive the appeal fee for residential
alarm users.
2. The designated administrator of the Sheriff shall conduct a recorded hearing within
30 days after receipt of the request for review and shall consider the evidence
submitted by the appealing party and the Alarm Administrator. The designated
administrator of the Sheriff must base his/her decision on the preponderance of
evidence presented at the hearing and must render a decision within 15 days after the
date of the hearing.
The decision shall affirm or reverse the decision or action taken by the Alarm
Administrator.
person aggrieved by the decision of the Sheriff or the designated administrator
may appeal in accordance with the procedure set forth in Chapter 1.22 PCC.
4. Filing of an appeal stays any action by the Alarm Administrator to suspend an alarm
registration or require the payment of a fee or penalty until the appeal process has
been exhausted. This provision applies only to the action of the Alarm
Administrator that is the subject of the appeal. This provision does not operate as a
bar to enforcement action on violations of this Chapter that occur thereafter.
D. The Alarm Administrator or the Sheriff or their respective designees, may adjust the
count of false alarms based on:
1. Evidence that a false alarm was caused by action of the telephone company;
2. Evidence that a false alarm was caused by a power outage;
3. Evidence that an alarm dispatch request was not a false alarm; or
4. The occurrence of multiple alarms within in a 24-hour period, which may be
considered as one false alarm to allow the alarm user time to take corrective action,
unless the false alarms are directly caused by the alarm user; or
5. On review of fees or penalties assessed to an alarm installation company or
monitoring company, the Alarm Administrator, or, if appealed, the Sheriff, or
designee, or the administrative hearing officer, may consider whether the alarm
company had engaged in a consistent pattern of violations.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.070 Reinstatement of Suspended Alarm Registrations.
A. On the first suspension of a registration, a person whose alarm registration has been
suspended may obtain reinstatement of the registration by the Alarm Administrator if the
person:
1. Submits a new application and pays a $50.00 reinstatement fee; and
2. Pays, or otherwise resolves, all outstanding fees and penalties; and
3. Submits a certification from an alarm installation company stating that the alarm
system has been inspected and repaired (if necessary) by the alarm installation
company; and
4. The alarm user successfully completes an on-line alarm awareness class and test.
B. On the second and every subsequent suspension of a registration, reinstatement may be
obtained by compliance with subsection A. above and compliance with any of the
following conditions that the Alarm Administrator may require:
1. Proof that an employee of the alarm installation company or monitoring company
caused the false alarm.
2. Upgrade the alarm control panel to meet SIA Control Panel Standard CP-01.
3. A written statement from an independent inspector designated by the Sheriff that the
alarm system has been inspected and is in good working order.
4. Confirmation that all motion detectors are "dual technology" type.
5. Confirmation that the alarm system requires two independent zones to trigger before
transmitting an alarm signal to the monitoring company.
6. Confirmation that the alarm system requires two independent detectors to trigger
before transmitting an alarm signal to the monitoring company.
7. Certification that the monitoring company will not make an alarm dispatch request
unless the need for law enforcement response is confirmed by voice verification.
8. Certification that the monitoring company will not make an alarm dispatch request
unless the need for law enforcement response is confirmed by a camera device. This
condition does not apply to residential property.
9. Certification that the monitoring company will not make an alarm dispatch request
unless the need for law enforcement is confirmed by a person at the alarm site.
10. The alarm user successfully completes an on-line alarm awareness class and test.
C. The Sheriff shall reinstate its response to an alarm site as soon as is practicable after
receiving notice of reinstatement from the Alarm Administrator.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.075 Revocation of Alarm User Registration and Business Registration.
A. The Sheriff or designee may revoke an alarm user registration, alarm installation
company registration or monitoring company registration if he determines that:
1. There is a violation of this Chapter by the alarm user, alarm installation company or
monitoring company;
2. There is a false statement of a material fact in the application for a registration;
3. The registered alarm system has generated more than 12 false alarms during any 12-
month period; or
4. The alarm user, alarm installation company or monitoring company has failed to pay
an alarm registration fee or late fee, a late renewal fee or any fee or penalty assessed
under this Chapter, more than 30 days after the fee is due.
B. The Sheriff or designee may, for good cause shown, reinstate a registration that has been
revoked pursuant to this Chapter.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.080 Confidentiality of Alarm Information.
A. All information contained in documents gathered through alarm registrations, the
submission of customer lists and in the alarm appeal process must be held in confidence
by all employees of the Alarm Administrator and the County of Pierce. Such
information is proprietary and is hereby declared confidential. A disclosure of such
information would violate the customer's right to privacy and could endanger that
person's right to safety. Absent special circumstances, such information must not be
released to the public or any person other than a law enforcement agency or the
applicable alarm user, alarm installation company or monitoring company, except
pursuant to court order.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.085 Scope of Sheriff Duty; Immunities Preserved.
A. The issuance of alarm registrations does not create a contract between the Sheriff and/or
the County of Pierce and any alarm user, alarm installation company or monitoring
company, nor does it create a duty or obligation, either expressed or implied, on the
Sheriff to respond to any alarm. Any and all liability and consequential damage
resulting from the failure of the Sheriff to respond to an alarm dispatch request is hereby
disclaimed and full governmental immunity as provided by law is retained. By applying
for an alarm registration, the alarm user acknowledges that the Sheriff response is
influenced by the availability of deputies, priority of calls, traffic conditions, emergency
condition and staffing levels.
(Ord. 2007-80s § 2 (part), 2007)
8.64.090 Service Charges.
A. Service charges for monitored alarm sites will be assessed to the alarm user, alarm
installation company or monitoring company as specified in the provisions of this
Chapter. Service charges for unmonitored alarm sites will be assessed to the alarm user