§ 11-150. Definitions

The words and terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Alarm company means any business carried on by any person who engages in the sale, lease, maintenance, service, repair, alteration, replacement or installation of any alarm system in or on any building, structure, facility or dwelling.

Alarm signal means any sound or message prompted by the activation of an alarm system for the purpose of alerting persons to danger, an emergency, fire, or commission of an unlawful act and summoning police and/or fire department personnel to the scene of said alarm system.

Alarm system means any mechanical, electronic or electrical device or assembly which is designed or used for the detection of fire, intrusion into a building, structure, dwelling or facility or for alerting others to an event within a facility, which event causes a local audible sound or transmission of a signal or message. Alarm systems include, but are not limited to direct dial telephone devices, audible alarms, and proprietor alarms. Devices which are not designed or used to evoke a police or fire response, nor used to register alarms that are intended to be audible, visible or perceptible outside of the building, structure, dwelling or facility are not included within this definition, nor are auxiliary devices installed by a telephone company to protect its systems which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system.

Alarm user means any person who owns, rents or leases an alarm system which is installed in or on a building, structure, dwelling or facility and which is capable of being activated.

Automatic communication device means any electrical, electronic, or mechanical device capable of sending a pre-programmed, pre-recorded message over a telephone line to the police or fire department.

City means the City of Costa Mesa.

False alarm means the activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, accidental tripping, misoperation, malfunction, misuse, or the neglect of the owner or lessee of an alarm system, or of his employees or agents. False alarm shall not include alarms caused by earthquakes, violent winds or other acts of God, or external causes beyond the control of the owner or lessee of the alarm system.

Fire department means the fire department of the City of Costa Mesa.

Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, company, firm, association or other entity.

Police department means the police department of the City of Costa Mesa.

(Ord. No. 89-10, § 2, 4-3-89)