MUNICIPALITIES
Anderson, South Carolina Code of Ordinances Sec. 62-381
Anderson Code of Ordinances- CODE OF ORDINANCES - Chapter 62 - OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS - ARTICLE IX. - ALARMS

§ Sec. 62-381 Burglar and fire alarms.
    (a) Permit required. Every person maintaining a burglar or fire alarm within the city, or acting as an agent for another, in whole or in part, shall obtain and pay for on or before March 31 of each year, a permit therefor in the amount and in the manner prescribed by this article, such permits and permit fees to be subject to revision or change by the city council.
    (b) New installations. Every person installing a burglar or fire alarm after January 1, shall obtain and pay for a permit as required by this article before installing an alarm at a private residence or business establishment. All approved burglar and fire alarm permits shall include the names of three designated contact persons who shall attend to an activated alarm. Approved permits shall be forwarded to the offices of the chief of police, chief of the fire department and the Anderson County Department of Public Safety, Division of Communication Services.
    (c) Permit fees. Fees for private residences and businesses with alarms installed before the approval of the ordinance from which this article is derived shall have 90 days in which to apply for a permit to maintain a burglar and/or fire alarm. Fees shall be set by the city council and are subject to revision and change by the city council. Fees for newly installed alarms after the approval of the ordinance from which this article is derived shall pay for permits at the time of issuance. Fees for newly installed burglar and fire alarms shall be set by the city council and are subject to revision and change by the city council.

Chester, South Carolina Code of Ordinances Sec. 38-4
Chester Code of Ordinances- CODE OF ORDINANCES - Chapter 38 - OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS - ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL

§ Sec. 38-4 Burglar alarms.
It shall be unlawful for any person to install or maintain a burglar or Police emergency alarm which activates a telephone signal to the Police Department, except on a line approved by the Police Chief for that purpose. Upon recommendation of the Police Chief, the City Administrator may establish by regulation fees for Police department alarm service with the approval of City Council.

§ Sec. 30-4 Fire alarm systems.
It shall be unlawful for any person to install or maintain a building fire alarm system which activates a telephone signal to the fire department. All fire alarm systems shall be connected to the E-911 dispatch office.


Florence County, South Carolina Code of Ordinances Sec. 18-14
Florence County Code of Ordinances- CODE OF ORDINANCES - Chapter 18 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS - ARTICLE II. - ALARM SYSTEMS

§ Sec. 18-14 Alarm permit required.
Every alarm business selling, leasing or furnishing to any user an alarm system which is installed on premises within the county or any alarm installation within or outside the county which annunciates at the dispatch center, shall be required to register the permit with the dispatch center, so that there is a record of the existence of each alarm. All information necessary to contact the owner or other appropriate officer, agent, or employee of such business or residence must be furnished to the dispatch center. It will be the responsibility of the applicant to assure that the permit information as required under this section be kept current. The user shall notify the department within 24 hours of any change, modification or removal of any alarm system.

Forest Acres, South Carolina Code of Ordinances Sec. 15-8
Forest Acres Code of Ordinances- CODE OF ORDINANCES - Chapter 15 - POLICE

§ Sec. 15-8 Police protection; false alarms; alarm business permit.
15-8.1. Definitions.
    (a) Alarm business means the business by any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing any alarm system or causing to be sold, leased, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, moved or installed any alarm system in or on any building, structure or facility, and shall not include any other activity of said business.
    (b) Alarm system means any assembly of equipment, mechanical or electrical, arranged to signal the occurrence of an illegal entry or other activity requiring urgent attention and to which the police are expected to respond.
    (c) Alarm user means a person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind in control of any building, structure or facility where an alarm system is maintained.
    (d) False alarm means the activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, or the negligence of the owner or lessee of an alarm system or of his employees or agents, or the conducting of a test, and/or drill without prior notification to the city. Such terminology does not include alarms caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or other similar conditions.
    (e) Local alarms means those alarms which activate an audible signal within the proximity of the premises only.

15-8.2. Alarm business permit.
    (a) Any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity engaging in an alarm business within the City of Forest Acres shall apply to the city for a permit to operate. The requirement of a permit shall not exempt an alarm business from the provisions of section 9-6 of this Code. Said application shall be on a form to be furnished by the city and signed by the individual proprietor of such business, or by a partner, or by the proper corporate official as is appropriate for the form of the business seeking the permit, and shall include:
        (1) The name, address and telephone number of the alarm business and the type of business entity it is (individual, partnership or corporate). The name, address and telephone number of the individual proprietor, partners, or directors and principal officers, depending on the nature of the entity applying.
        (2) A description of the alarm systems and devices offered for sale or lease to the public and a description of any services related to alarm devices offered to the public.
        (3) Certification that within ninety (90) days after the effective date of this section or upon receipt of notice of approval of a permit application, whichever date occurs later, a complete list of the names and addresses of all persons or businesses in the city to whom or for whom alarm systems have been sold and who are currently under contract to the alarm business for services to said alarm system on or after the effective date of this section shall be maintained for inspection by the city administrator or his designee during the course of his official business.
        (4) A list of all felony and misdemeanor convictions of individual proprietors, partners, or directors and principal officers of the applicant business. The date and location of each conviction shall also be included.
        (5) A statement as to whether the applicant has ever been denied a license or permit in any jurisdiction to engage in the alarm business or has had such license or permit revoked.
        (6) A statement as to the length of time the applicant has been engaged in the alarm business and where engaged.
        (7) A statement that the applicant agrees to update the above information upon application for renewal of alarm permit annually as provided herein.
    (b) Alarm businesses 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 permit no later than thirty (30) days after the enactment of this section. Said applicants may continue to do business while their permit applications are being processed. 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.
    (c) The city administrator or his designee shall review each application for a permit and may conduct an investigation to determine whether the facts set forth in the application are true. He shall, within sixty (60) days after receipt of an application for such permit, either approve or deny issuance of same and, accordingly, forward written notification to the applicant of said decision. A written notification of denial shall include the basis for said finding; and if the grounds for denial are subject to correction, the applicant shall be given ten (10) days after receipt of such notice within which to make the required correction.
    (d) The city administrator or his designee may deny the application for an alarm business permit if he finds that any applicants, owners, partners or principal corporate officers have:
        (1) Committed any act which if committed by the person holding the permit would be grounds for revocation of a permit under subsection (f) of this section; or
        (2) While without a permit, knowingly and willfully committed or aided and abetted in the commission of any act for which a permit is required by this section; or
        (3) Been convicted in any jurisdiction of a felony or misdemeanor if the city administrator or his designee finds that such conviction reflects unfavorably on the fitness of the applicant to engage in the alarm business.
    (e) Application for renewal of an alarm business permit shall be made on or before the fifteenth day of April of each year. Applicants for renewal may continue to do business while their renewal application is being processed.
    (f) Permits for alarm businesses may not be renewed by the city administrator or his designee in the manner hereinafter set forth if the person holding the permit or any of its owners, partners, principal corporate officers, or the individual having the authority and the responsibility for the management and operation of the alarm business within the city are:
        (1) Found to have violated any of the provisions of this section or any rule or regulation of the city, which violation the city administrator or his designee determines reflects unfavorably upon the fitness of the person holding the permit to engage in the alarm business;
        (2) Found to have knowingly and willfully given any false information of a material nature in connection with an application for a permit or a renewal or reinstatement of a permit or in a notice of transfer of an alarm business permit under this section.
        (3) Found to have been convicted in any jurisdiction of a felony or a misdemeanor if the city administrator or his designee determines that such conviction reflects unfavorably on the fitness of the applicant to engage in the alarm business; or
        (4) Found to have committed any act while the permit was not in effect which would be cause for the revocation of a permit, or grounds for the denial of an application for a permit.
    (g) No permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be assigned or transferred either by operation of law or otherwise.
    (h) All permit applications shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of ten dollars ($10.00) to cover cost of processing the application required herein.

Greenville, South Carolina Code of Ordinances Sec. 21-54
Greenville Code of Ordinances- CODE OF ORDINANCES - Chapter 21 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS - ARTICLE II. - BURGLAR ALARMS

§ Sec. 21-54 Duties of the alarm company.
    (a) Any person engaged in the alarm business in the city shall comply with the following:
        (1) Obtain and maintain the required state and/or city license(s).
        (2) For each alarm system installed, provide name, address, and telephone number of the user or a designee, who can be called in an emergency, 24 hours a day; and contact a key holder or other emergency contact who will respond immediately.
        (3) Provide the most current contact information for the alarm user.
    (b) Ninety days after enactment of this article the alarm installation companies shall, on all new and upgraded installations, use only alarm control panel(s) which meet SIA Control Panel Standard CP-01.
    (c) Prior to activation of the alarm system, the alarm company must provide instructions explaining the proper operation of the alarm system to the alarm user.
    (d) Provide written information of how to obtain service from the alarm company for the alarm system.
    (e) An alarm company performing monitoring services shall:
        (1) Attempt to verify, by calling the alarm site and/or alarm user by telephone, to determine whether an alarm signal is valid before requesting dispatch. Telephone verification shall require, as a minimum, that a second call be made to a different number, if the first attempt fails to reach an alarm user who can properly identify themselves to attempt to determine whether an alarm signal is valid, except in the case of a panic or robbery-in-progress alarm, or in cases where a crime-in-progress has been verified by video and/or audible means.
        (2) Provide address; and alarm user registration number, when available, to the communications center to facilitate dispatch and/or cancellations.
        (3) Communicate any available information about the location of the alarm.
        (4) Communicate a cancellation of police response to the law enforcement communications center as soon as possible following a determination that response is unnecessary.

Isle of Palms, South Carolina Code of Ordinances Sec. 7-4-5
Isle of Palms Code of Ordinances- CODE OF ORDINANCES - Title 7 - LICENSING AND REGULATION - CHAPTER 4. REGULATION OF ALARM SYSTEMS AND BUSINESSES

§ Sec. 7-4-5 Alarm permits required.
    (a) No person or entity shall install or use an alarm system within the City without first applying for and receiving an alarm permit in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Each system and each location shall require a permit. The alarm user shall be responsible for obtaining permit and ensuring full compliance with this section.
    (b) There shall be an initial $25.00 alarm permit fee, due and payable by the user upon installation of the alarm system. The Police Department shall provide for an annual postcard permit renewal system which shall provide for free renewal to the user for permit renewals received by the Police Department during the month of January of the renewal year. There shall be a $10.00 permit renewal fee due from the user for any renewals received by the City after January 31 of the renewal year.
    (c) Alarm permits shall expire on December 31 of each year. Applications for renewals of permits shall be processed in the same manner as applications for the initial permit.
    (d) Applications for an alarm permit shall be filed with the Police Department on forms provided by the Department. The application shall be signed and verified by the applicant and shall contain such information as the Department may require and must include the name, address and telephone number of a person or company who will render service or repairs during any hour of the day or night. Permits provided for in this chapter shall be issued by the Police Department and shall be nontransferable.
    (e) The alarm user/permittee shall supply on his application for a permit the names, addresses and phone numbers of at least two (2) persons to call in the event of an emergency. If the user/permittee has arranged for a service contract, emergency telephone numbers of the service company shall be supplied. The alarm user/permittee is responsible for updating the information provided to the Police Department.

Lancaster, South Carolina Code of Ordinances Sec. 20-53
Lancaster Code of Ordinances - PART II - CODE OF ORDINANCES - Chapter 20 - POLICE DEPARTMENT - ARTICLE III. ALARMS

§ Sec. 20-53 Duties of the alarm company.
    (a) No person shall engage in the alarm business in the city, except in compliance with the following:
        (1) Obtain and maintain the required state, county and/or city license(s).
        (2) Be able to provide name, address, and telephone number of the alarm user or a designee, who can be called in an emergency, twenty-four (24) hours a day; and be able to respond to and alarm call, when notified, within two (2) hours.
        (3) Be able to provide the most current contact information for the alarm user.
    (b) Ninety (90) days after enactment of this article the alarm installation companies shall, on all new installations, use only alarm control panel(s) which meet SIA Control Panel Standard CP-01.
    (c) Prior to activation of the alarm system, the alarm company must provide instructions explaining the proper operation of the alarm system to the alarm user.
    (d) Provide written information of how to obtain service from the alarm company for the alarm system.
    (e) An alarm company performing monitoring services shall:
        (1) Attempt to verify, by calling the alarm site and/or alarm user by telephone, to determine whether an alarm signal is valid before requesting dispatch. Telephone verification shall require, as a minimum that a second call be made to a different number, if the first attempt fails to reach an alarm user who can properly identify themselves to attempt to determine whether an alarm signal is valid, Except in the case of a panic or robbery-in-progress alarm, or in cases where a crime-in-progress has been verified by video and/or audible means.
        (2) Provide alarm user information.
        (3) Communicate any available information about the location of the alarm.
        (4) Communicate a cancellation to the law enforcement communications center as soon as possible following a determination that response is unnecessary.

§ Sec. 19-105 Alarm system monitoring companies.
An alarm system monitoring company engaging in business activities in the county shall:
    (1) Obtain all necessary permits as required by the county and licensed by the State of South Carolina;
    (2) Maintain a current record, accessible to the sheriff's office at all times, that includes the names of the alarm users serviced by the company; the addresses of the protected properties; the type of alarm system, original installation date and subsequent modifications, if any, for each protected property; and a record of the false alarms at each property;
    (3) Provide the sheriff's office such information as the sheriff requests regarding the nature of the company's security alarms; the company's method of monitoring the alarms; the company's program for preventing false alarms, including educational programs for alarm users; and the company's method for disconnecting audible alarms;
    (4) Provide each of its alarm system users with operating instructions for the alarm system, including an explanation of the alarm company's alarm verification process; a telephone number to call for assistance in operating the system; and a summary of the provisions of this article relating to penalties for false alarms;
    (5) Communicate requests for sheriff's office response to the sheriff's office in a manner specified by the sheriff;
    (6) Work cooperatively with the alarm system user and the sheriff in order to determine the cause of any false alarm and to prevent recurrences.

Lexington, South Carolina Code of Ordinances 33.23
Lexington Code of Ordinances - TITLE III - ADMINISTRATION - CHAPTER 33 - POLICE DEPARTMENTFALSE ALARMS

§ 33.23 DUTIES OF THE ALARM COMPANY.
    (A) Any person engaged in the alarm business in the Town, shall comply with the following:
        (1) Obtain and maintain the required state, county and/or Town license(s).
        (2) Provide name, address, and telephone number of the user or a designee to the Lexington Police Department, who can be called in an emergency, twenty-four (24) hours a day; and contact a key holder or other emergency contact who will respond immediately.
        (3) Provide the most current contact information for the alarm user.
    (B) Ninety (90) days after enactment of this ordinance the alarm installation companies shall, on all new and up-graded installations, use only alarm control panel(s) which meet SIA Control Panel Standard CP-01.
    (C) Prior to activation of the alarm system, the alarm company must provide instructions explaining the proper operation of the alarm system to the alarm user.
    (D) Provide written information of how to obtain service from the alarm company for the alarm system.
    (E) An alarm company performing monitoring services shall:
        (1) Attempt to verify, by calling the alarm site and/or alarm user by telephone, to determine whether an alarm signal is valid before requesting dispatch. Telephone verification shall require, as a minimum that a second call be made to a different number, if the first attempt fails to reach an alarm user who can properly identify themselves to attempt to determine whether an alarm signal is valid, except in the case of a panic or robbery-in-progress alarm, or in cases where a crime-in-progress has been verified by video and/or audible means.
        (2) Provide address; and alarm user registration number, when available, to the communications center to facilitate dispatch and/or cancellations.
        (3) Communicate any available information about the location of the alarm.
        (4) Communicate a cancellation to the law enforcement communications center as soon as possible following a determination that response is unnecessary.

North Augusta, South Carolina Code of Ordinances Sec. 16-4
North Augusta Code of Ordinances- CODE OF ORDINANCES - Chapter 16 - OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS - ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL

§ Sec. 16-4 Installation and maintenance of alarm systems.
The following rules and regulations for governing the installation and maintenance of alarm systems shall apply to all alarm systems in the City of North Augusta:
    (1) All individuals, businesses, etc., installing either a burglar or fire alarm system on their premises (residential and commercial) must notify the department of public safety of such installation.
    (2) Burglar and fire alarm companies shall notify the city through the department of public safety in writing requesting the type of service needed not less than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the proposed connection of any alarm to be monitored directly by the Department of public safety.
    (3) Persons requesting alarm systems connected to and monitored by the city must make all necessary arrangements, supply any equipment needed to connect into the system, and pay all costs associated therewith.
    (4) All systems which are directly attached to equipment belonging to the department of public safety must both utilize equipment and be installed by personnel approved by the department.
    (5) Automatic reset: All alarm systems within the city having an outside audible alarm signal shall also be equipped with a device to automatically reset the entire system not more than fifteen (15) minutes after the alarm has been activated.
    (6) Those systems requiring direct monitoring by the department of public safety must be serviced and checked at least three (3) times a year. Those systems not requiring direct monitoring by the department of public safety must be serviced and checked at least one time a year. The service condition of the alarm after each check must be submitted to the department of public safety in writing with certification that the system is in proper working order.
    (7) Alarm companies doing business in North Augusta must be able to guarantee service within twenty-four (24) hours in case of trouble with their systems.
    (8) Persons installing systems (whether connected to the department of public safety or not) must furnish the department of public safety with two (2) names of persons to call in case of an emergency during times when the establishment or residence is unoccupied.
    (9) The director of public safety shall require that any alarm system be disconnected until such time as the system is in proper working order and/or those personnel using such system are properly trained.
    (10) There shall be no charge to the city for services rendered, nor will any liability be accepted.

Orangeburg County, South Carolina Code of Ordinances Sec. 8-112
Orangeburg County Code of Ordinances- CODE OF ORDINANCES - Chapter 8 - BUSINESSES - ARTICLE IV. - ALARM SYSTEMS

§ Sec. 8-112 Alarm business and alarm agents permits.
    (a) Required. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct, or carry on an alarm business without first applying for and receiving a permit therefor, in accordance with the provisions of this article. It shall be unlawful for an alarm business to employ any person as an alarm agent unless the employee holds a valid alarm agent's permit issued pursuant to this section.
    (b) Applications. All applications for an alarm business permit and an alarm agent shall require fingerprints of the applicant. The sheriff shall conduct an investigation of the applicant to determine his character, reputation and moral integrity. The sheriff, at his discretion, may dispense with the investigation upon being furnished with an authenticated copy of a current permit issued by another governmental agency. The permit shall be denied if the character, reputation, or moral integrity of the applicant is determined to be detrimental to the safety or general welfare of the community or if the applicant falsifies any information in the permit application.
    (c) Identification card. Every person directly engaged in the business of selling, maintaining, repairing, altering, replacing, monitoring, or installing any alarm system shall carry on his person, at all times while engaged, a valid identification card and shall display such card to any police officer upon request. The identification card shall be issued by the sheriff's department upon granting of the required permit and shall bear the name and address of the registrant and the name of the alarm business permittee.
    (d) Fee; validity. The fee for every permit to conduct an alarm business within the county, or for a renewal thereof, shall be set from time to time and a schedule of such fees is on file and available in the county offices. The fee for every alarm agent permit shall be $10.00 and the permits shall be valid for a three-year period from the date of issuance. All alarm companies shall pay this fee for their businesses and agents before this article goes into effect.

Spartanburg County, South Carolina Code of Ordinances Sec. 28-54
Spartanburg County Code of Ordinances- CODE - Chapter 28 - EMERGENCY SERVICES - ARTICLE III. ALARMS AND FALSE ALARMS

§ Sec. 28-54 Duties of the alarm company.
    (a) Any person engaged in the alarm business in the county, shall comply with the following:
        (1) Obtain and maintain the required state and/or county license.
        (2) Provide name, address and telephone number of the user or a designee, who can be called in an emergency, 24 hours a day; and contact a key holder or other emergency contact who will respond within a reasonable amount of time.
        (3) Be able to provide the most current contact information for the alarm user.
    (b) Prior to the activation of the alarm system, the alarm company must provide instructions explaining the proper operation of the alarm system to the alarm user.
    (c) Provide written information of how to obtain service from the alarm company for the alarm system.
    (d) An alarm company performing monitoring services shall:
        (1) Attempt to verify, by calling the alarm site and/or alarm user by telephone, to determine whether an alarm signal is valid before requesting dispatch. Telephone verification shall require, as a minimum that a second call be made to a different number, if the first attempt fails to reach an alarm user who can properly identify themselves to attempt to determine whether an alarm signal is valid, except in the case of a panic or robbery-in-progress alarm, or in cases where a crime-in-progress has been verified by video and/or audible means.
        (2) Provide address and alarm user registration number, when available, to the communications center to facilitate dispatch and/or cancellations.
        (3) Communicate any available information about the location of the alarm.
        (4) Communicate a cancellation to the Spartanburg County 911 Communications Center as soon as possible following a determination that response is unnecessary.

Union, South Carolina Code of Ordinances Sec. 9-13.3
Union Code of Ordinances - PART II - THE CODE - Chapter 9 - FIRE PROTECTION - ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL

§ Sec. 9-13.3 Required registration of alarm companies.
    (a) All alarm companies with the desire to function within the city limits of the City of Union are required to be registered through the Public Safety Department.
    (b) The alarm company must have proof of license to operate in South Carolina as an alarm company and must be licensed to operate in the City of Union.
    (c) Any company who violates this section shall be subject to having its alarm permits revoked and further permits denied.
    (d) All alarm company registrations shall be made on forms provided by the Public Safety Department and shall contain information as required by the Director of Public Safety:
        (1) The full business name, address, and telephone number of the alarm company.
        (2) The license number as issued to the alarm company by the state board of private investigators and private security agency board.
        (3) A description of services made available and offered to permit holders within the city, relating to the sale, installation, servicing, monitoring and testing of alarm systems communication service provided.
    (e) Alarm company registration shall be renewed annually on the first day of each year and shall be nontransferable. All updating of information is required as it occurs with the alarm company having sole responsibility.
    (f) Alarm vendors/installers must obtain a permit to install any alarm system within the City of Union.   

§ Sec. 9-13.9 Notification of installation of an alarm system.
Alarm businesses shall notify the Union Public Safety Department each time the business sells, installs, operates, modifies, or maintains an alarm system within the City of Union. Permits are required for all new installations. This notification shall be in writing, and shall include the following information:
    (1) The name, address, and telephone number of the business or its alarm agent.
    (2) The name of the permit holder and his or her business address and telephone number and residential address and telephone number.
    (3) The name of at least two (2) other persons responsible to respond to the alarm site and his or her business address and telephone number, and residential address and telephone number.