§ 27-5. Alarm business requirements.

(a)

Licensing requirements. All alarm businesses engaged in business in the city shall be required to possess a state license under the "Alarm Industry Licensing Act," R.S. 40:1662.1 through 40:1662.17.

(b)

License copy to be maintained by the police department. All alarm businesses engaged in business in the city shall file a copy of such valid state certificate attached to the alarm company registration form with the alarm administrator.

(c)

Alarm business registration with the police department. All alarm businesses engaged in business in the city shall annually register with the alarm administrator. No fee for this registration is required, and the alarm administrator shall provide this registration form no later than 30 days prior to the end of the calendar year. This registration shall include information regarding the following:

(1)

The proper business or trade name, address and telephone number of the alarm business.

(2)

All other names, addresses and phone numbers under which the company or corporation conducts business.

(3)

If an unincorporated association, the name of the owner and responsible associates.

(4)

If a corporation, the names and positions of officers in the corporation.

(5)

If a corporation, the name and address of the registered agent.

(6)

A statement that the alarm business will maintain a 24-hour emergency service, seven days a week, including holidays.

(d)

Exemptions. The provisions of this section do not apply to persons engaged solely in the manufacture or sale of alarm systems or their components from a fixed location who do not install, maintain, service, or plan an alarm system for any location. The provisions of this section further do not apply to persons engaged in the repair of alarm systems or their components from a fixed location, and who do not, either personally or through another, visit the structure in which or on which the alarm system is installed.

(e)

Penalties for no license. No person or company shall engage in an alarm business in the city without holding a current and valid license issued by the state fire marshall as provided by state law. The individual limits of the class of the license as to the skill level and type of work that may be performed by the company, are applicable in the city. Prosecution for any violation of applicable state law shall be furthered by the police department.

(f)

Cooperation with police department. When the alarm administrator reports a false alarm at an alarm system user's premises, the alarm business should work cooperatively with the alarm system user and the alarm administrator to determine the cause thereof and to prevent reoccurrences. If there is reason to believe that an alarm system is not being used or maintained in a manner that ensures proper operation or such system is not suppressing false alarms, the alarm administrator may require one or more conferences with an alarm system user, and/or the alarm business, and/or alarm system monitoring company responsible for the repair of the alarm system to review the circumstances of each false alarm.

(g)

Instructions and training to be provided. Every alarm business leasing or furnishing to any alarm system user an alarm system which is installed on the premises on or after the effective date of this section shall furnish the alarm system user with written instructions to enable the user to properly operate the alarm system at any time.

(h)

Compliance with installation and equipment requirements. Every alarm business leasing or installing an alarm system which is installed on the premises on or after the effective date of this section shall comply with the alarm system installation and equipment requirements as specified under section 27-5 of this chapter.

(i)

Alarm registration and user identification letter requirements. The alarm business is responsible for the completion and submission of the registration of any new installation and/or conversion-takeover of any existing system. The alarm business shall forward to the police department a completed alarm user identification letter including certification of the date of installation, conversion, of takeover of the alarm system. This form shall be submitted within ten days of the install, conversion, or takeover of the alarm system.

(j)

Penalties for noncompliance. The failure of an alarm business that engages in business activities in the city to comply with any of the above requirements shall be a violation of this section, subject to prosecution in municipal court and such alarm business shall be fined, upon conviction, not less than $100.00 nor more than $250.00 within any 30-day period for each violation.

(M.C.S., Ord. No. 18,230, § 1, 5-15-97; M.C.S., § 1, 8-16-01)