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View recently adopted ordinances as of January 13, 2009 NOT YET CODIFIED OR INTEGRATED IN THIS SITE. (pdf file)

Ordinances enacted through January 13, 2009

Copyrighted by SANTA CLARA COUNTY CODE & Municipal Code Corporation, 1998.

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CHAPTER III.
REGULATIONS FOR POLICE ALARM SYSTEMS

Sec. B21-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to set forth regulations governing alarm systems and devices used within the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County and to establish service charges to be assessed in the event of repeated false alarms. The cost to the County and the risk to law enforcement personnel incurred by responding to all such alarms are found to be a significant burden which must be remedied by appropriate measures.

(Ord. No. NS-632.2, § 3, 5-26-81; Ord. No. NS-632.3, § 3, 2-28-84)

Sec. B21-11. Exemptions.

There shall be a 30-day exemption for new alarm system installations. Those false alarms evidenced to be caused by acts of God shall be exempt. Alarm systems installed in public schools or public buildings shall be exempt.

(Ord. No. NS-632.2, § 3, 5-26-81; Ord. No. NS-632.3, § 3, 2-28-84)

Sec. B21-12. Investigation of false alarms.

One of the law enforcement officers responding to each emergency alarm as defined herein shall attempt to ascertain by investigation whether said alarm was activated with reasonable cause therefor or was a "false alarm." In the event that the investigation indicates to the investigating officer that the alarm was a false alarm, said officer shall forward a report of this investigation to the County Executive or such other person as may be designated by the County Executive, stating the conclusions and the factual basis for such conclusions.

(Ord. No. NS-632.2, § 3, 5-26-81; Ord. No. NS-632.3, § 3, 2-28-84)

Sec. B21-13. Notice to owner.

Upon receipt of the report described above, the County Executive or other authorized person may cause a written notice to be served by mail or personally upon the owner of the police alarm system. Said notice shall indicate that a false alarm was made from said premises, and that steps should be taken by the owner to prevent future false alarms. Such notice shall also state that a service charge shall be assessed against the owner for each subsequent false alarm occurring within the one-year false alarm period.

(Ord. No. NS-632, § 3, 5-26-81; Ord. No. NS-632.3, § 3, 2-28-84)

Sec. B21-14. False alarm service charge.

There is hereby imposed a service charge upon every owner who reports, causes to be or permits to be reported a false alarm which is responded to by the Sheriff's office. Said service charge shall be set by the Board of Supervisors by resolution, and such charge shall reasonably reflect the costs to the County of responding to each such false alarm.

(Ord. No. NS-632.2, § 3, 5-26-81; Ord. No. NS-632.3, § 3, 2-28-84)

Sec. B21-15. Assessment of service charge.

The County Executive is empowered and authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter. Upon receipt by said person of a report of a false alarm originating from premises to which was sent a notice as described above, he shall cause to be served a notice of assessment of the above-described service charge, which notice shall describe the date and time of the alleged false alarm, and whether police personnel responded thereto.

(Ord. No. NS-632.2, § 2, 5-26-81; Ord. No. NS-632.3, § 3, 2-28-84)

Sec. B21-16. Collection of charges.

In the event of the failure of any person to pay the charges assessed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the County may institute an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect any charges which may be due and payable in the same manner as any other debts owing to the County may be collected.

(Ord. No. NS-632.2, § 2, 5-26-81; Ord. No. NS-632.3, § 3, 2-28-84)

Sec. B21-17. Severability.

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, then such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. NS-632.2, § 2, 5-16-81; Ord. No. NS-632.3, § 3, 2-28-84)

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