HomeMy WebLinkAbout15-005JOSEPH E. SMITH, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
SAINT LUCIE COUNTY
FILE # 4076372 06/02/2015 at 10:10 AM
OR BOOK 3752 PAGE 1332 - 1343 Doc Type: ORDN
RECORDING: $103.50
ORDINANCE NO. 2015-005
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE IV, (ALARM
SYSTEMS), OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY,
FLORIDA, BY AMENDING SECTION 18-89 (DEFINITIONS) TO ADD
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS; AMENDING SECTION 18-90 (AUTOMATIC
DIALING DEVICE—INTERCONNECTING TO TRUNKLINES) TO PROVIDE
FOR ISSUANCE OF CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS NOTICES; AMENDING
SECTION 18-94 (ALARM PERMIT -REQUIRED) TO PROVIDE FOR THE
COUNTY'S THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR TO ADMINISTER THE PERMIT
PROCESS; AMENDING SECTION 18-95 (SAME -APPLICATION) TO CLARIFY
THE APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS; AMENDING SECTION 18-
96 (SAME -TERM; FEE; NONTRANSFERABLE) TO REDUCE THE PERMIT
TERM TO ONE YEAR AND PROVIDE SIX MONTH AMNESTY PERIOD FOR
REGISTRATION OF PREVIOUSLY NON -PERMITTED ALARM SYSTEMS
FOLLOWING ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE; AMENDING SECTION 18-97
(SAME -ISSUANCE) TO PROVIDE FOR THE COUNTY'S THIRD PARTY
ADMINISTRATOR TO ISSUE PERMITS; AMENDING SECTION 18-98
(EXCESSIVE FALSE ALARM SIGNALS—GENERALLY) TO ESTABLISH
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF ALARM OWNERS AND
ALARM COMPANIES; AMENDING SECTION 18-99 (SAME -FALSE ALARM
DISPATCH CHARGES; COLLECTION) ESTABLISHING PROCEDURE FOR
DETERMINATION OF FALSE ALARM AND NOTICE TO ALARM USER
AND/OR RECORD TITLE OWNER; AMENDING SECTION 18-100
(DISBURSEMENT OF SERVICE CHARGES) TO ESTABLISH A REVISED FEE
SCHEDULE FOR FALSE ALARMS; RENUMBERING SECTION 18-100
(DISBURSEMENT OF SERVICE CHARGES) TO SECTION 18-101 AND
PROVIDING CLARIFICATION REGARDING THE RESPONDING AGENCY;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR APPLICABILITY;
PROVIDING FOR FILING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE; PROVIDING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE; PROVIDING FOR ADOPTION; AND PROVIDING FOR
CODIFICATION.
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the
following determinations:
1. On November 17, 1982, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 87-44 which created Chapter
1-2.5, "Alarm Systems", of the St. Lucie County Code of Ordinances and Compiled Laws, to establish
standards and regulate intrusion, holdup, and other emergency signals from alarm users which require
law enforcement and fire/rescue response or investigation.
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2. On August 24, 1999, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 99-10 which amended Chapter 1-
2.5 to clarify and strengthen the regulation of alarm systems in the County in order to better serve the
residents of the County through more efficient use of law enforcement and fire/rescue services.
3. On August 12, 2014, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 14-020 which amended and
recodified the St. Lucie County Code of Ordinances, including the recodification of Chapter 1-2.5 as Article
IV (Alarm Systems) of Chapter 18, (Emergency Management and Emergency Services).
4. It is in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of the County's residents to
amend Article VI of Chapter 40 of the County Code of Ordinances to ensure consistency with the
requirements of state law and to ensure flexibility in administration of the financing program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County,
Florida, as follows:
PART A. Section 18-89 (Definitions) of Article IV (Alarm Systems) of Chapter 18 (Emergency
Management and Emergency Services) of the Code of Ordinances of St. Lucie County is amended as
follows:
Sec. 18-89. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to
them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning=. In those cases
wherein a word or words are not defined, its definition shall be as found in Black's Law Dictionary latest
edition, or in American Heritage College Dictionary, third edition.
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Alarm means a signal (audio or visual, recorded or live) transmitted to a law enforcement agency or the
Fire District indicating a predetermined condition. Said alarm is received either:
(1) Via a private alarm service company relayed to a law enforcement agency or Fire District telephone.
(2) Via an audible/visual signal relayed to a law enforcement agency or Fire District by a third party.
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Alarm permit means a permit issued by the countv or its third party alarm administrator allowing the
operation of an alarm system within the county.
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seuRds er a flashing light er beaeon designed W Signal peFsons outside the pFernises, such a systern shall
be subject to thePFE)ViS*OA-r,„f this - rti any assembly of equipment, mechanical or electrical arranged
to:
(1) Signal the occurrence of a forced entry, fire or other activity requiring urgent attention and
to which law enforcement or the Fire District is expected to respond and/or.
(2) Monitor and/or annunciate the status of alarm or supervisory devices.
Alarm user means any peFsen whe uses an alaFm system at its alarm Site A—r Aen premises an alarm
system, s defined in this tide ismaintained Within the the person, firm, partnership, association,
corporation, company or organization of any kind in control of any building structure or facility or portion
thereof wherein an alarm system is maintained.
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Burglar alarm means an alarm system designated to indicate a condition of illegal forced entry or illegal
attempted forced entry.
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County means, St. Lucie County, and for the purposes of this section only shall include the City of Fort
Pierce, the City of Port St. Lucie, and the St. Lucie County Fire District, unless otherwise specified.
False alarm means the activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper
installation, or negligence of the owner, user, custodian, or lessee of an alarm system, or his employees
eF agents that results an dispatch Af law enforcement ageney or fire distriet peFSeRnel requiring an
emergency response, when in fact an emergency does not exist or the activation of the alarm, whether
intentional or unintentional. False alarms do not include:
(1) Alarms caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or other violent conditions.
(2) Al.ar.rn-,; tr-ans.rnitted -hp-r---;;---Se ef a wateF rn-aip break er similar causes that E)GG61F A -f
(3) Alarms covered by F.S. SeGti ns 401,414 and Section 806.101.
-activated -;;-r, -;; FP -r -.--'1R A -f. the negligence Of the ewneF, lessee E)F GGGUPaRt ef the ecewpied
Fire alarm means an alarm system designated to indicate the presence of fire or smoke is in progress
immediately preceding the alarm.
Underlined passages are added. StFu .l( thmurt” passages are deleted.
Fire District means the St. Lucie County Fire District.
Law enforcement agency, means the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, the City of Fort Pierce Police
Department and/or the City of Port St. Lucie Police Department.
Medical alarm means an alarm system designated to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent
attention and to summon emergency medical personnel.
Record title owner means the person or persons in whose name title to real property are recorded on the
public records.
Robbery alarm means an alarm system designated to indicate a robbery (holdup) is in progress
immediately preceding the alarm, or the activation of a device designed to signal duress or the activation
of a device to signal an ambush is in progress immediately preceding the alarm.
PART B. Section 18-90 (Automatic dialing device – Interconnecting to trunklines) of Article IV
(Alarm Systems) of Chapter 18 (Emergency Management and Emergency Services) of the Code of
Ordinances of St. Lucie County is amended as follows:
Sec. 18-90. Automatic dialing device—Interconnecting to trunklines.
ll No automatic dialing device shall be interconnected to any primary or special trunkline at any
law enforcement agency orfire department in the County orthe 911 communications center unless under
special investigative purposes as authorized by the chief executive of the law enforcement agency, the
fire marshal or the public safety director.
(b) If a law enforcement agency has knowledge of the unlawful maintenance of an automatic
telephone dialing alarm system installed, or operated in violation of Sec. 18-90(a), it shall, in writing, order
the owner, operator or lessee to disconnect and cease operation of the system within seventy-two (72)
hours of receipt of the order.
(c) Any automatic telephone dialing system installed as set forth in Sec. 18-90(a), prior to the
effective date of Ordinance No. 2015-5 shall be removed within forty-five (45) days of the order as
referenced in Sec. 18-90(b).
PART C. Section 18-94 (Alarm permit -Required) of Article IV (Alarm Systems) of Chapter 18
(Emergency Management and Emergency Services) of the Code of Ordinances of St. Lucie County is
amended as follows:
Sec 18-94 Alarm permit–Required.
(a)building,
any alaFm systems existing PFiGF te the e4eetive date the A-Ird-imances fFem which this aFticle
0 s deFived, an alaffn peFmit application shall be Faade within 60 days ef the effective date
Beef. It shall be unlawful for any person or company to operate, monitor, or be responsible
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for an alarm system, without prior registration with law eRfeFeemeR the entity designated
by the County. This shall apply to both commercial and residential systems A separate permit
is required for each alarm site. TheFe is ^e Fegistratie^ fee
(b) Any afteF the fact peFmit issued to peFSeRS W119 iRitially failed te ebtaiR peffnit shall be 0 ssued
at twiee the cost of the pe.mi+ fee Each person or company which operates monitors or has
responsibility for alarm systems, who notifies the county of an alarm activation shall at the
time of notification, disclose the name, address telephone number, and permit number of
the alarm user to the county.
PART D. Section 18-95 (Same --Required) of Article IV (Alarm Systems) of Chapter 18 (Emergency
Management and Emergency Services) of the Code of Ordinances of St. Lucie County is amended as
follows:
Sec. 18-95. Same --Application.
(a)
fellewiRg information- Any person desiring an alarm system permit shall file an application with the
county's third party alarm administrator on a form provided by the administrator manually or
electronically which includes but is not limited to, the following information:
(1)
the ., a+eeaeee and opeFative of the ala.
FR
system and payment of fees assessed uRdeF th a +• I The name and address of the applicant;
(2)
a i a FFn. If different than above, the address at which the alarm system is to be installed and used;
(3) The Rame, address and telephone numbeF of the PeFSORS OR ehaFge of the pFemises OF buildiRg
seFved by the alarm If the applicant is a corporation the names and addresses of its principal officers;
(4) The eIa«ification of the . laff . system as eitheF .,I eF .d t' l. If the applicant is a
partnership, association, or other business entity, the names and addresses of the partners or persons
comprising the same;
(5) k4hethe.rthe building OS FeRted er owneF occupied. A description ofthe alarm system proposed
to be installed, including the manufacturer's name and model number, if any;
(6) for each—a_la FM system—ac the I -a. -m •+e the I
loco.., orc 'aiaiu� Elco, c��c�ar�ASed of the alarm SjF51:Etimfi, i.e., �Ir�
held up, dWess, , GF 0 For residential properties: the names, addresses and telephone numbers
of two (2) or more persons who will be available to secure the premises during any hour of the day or
night; For commercial properties: the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) or more
persons who will be available to secure the premises during any hour of the day or night;
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(7) Classification of the alarm site as being equipped or non -equipped for duress alarm Any such
additional information that the County may deem necessary in order to fully and properly administer this
chapter.
guffideliRes eR hew te aveid false alaFFRs, have beeR left with the applieaRt; ,
(b) Amended Gpplic-Gtien. AR amended applicatieR shall be filed within teR days afteF aRY ChaRge on the
system, alarm p Mit shall be Fequired. Whenever any change occurs relating to the information
required by this section, the applicant or permittee shall give written notice thereof to the County third
party alarm administrator within ten days after such change.
(c) An alarm system permit may be denied if the application is not in the proper form does not contain
all information, or fees required by this chapter are not paid.
d) To the extent allowed by law and in the interest of public safetv, all information contained in and
gathered through the alarm permit
eF
b. The name, address, and phone
numbeF of the alaFFn business peFfeFFRing the alaFffl
applications for appeals shall
be privileged
guffideliRes eR hew te aveid false alaFFRs, have beeR left with the applieaRt; ,
(b) Amended Gpplic-Gtien. AR amended applicatieR shall be filed within teR days afteF aRY ChaRge on the
system, alarm p Mit shall be Fequired. Whenever any change occurs relating to the information
required by this section, the applicant or permittee shall give written notice thereof to the County third
party alarm administrator within ten days after such change.
(c) An alarm system permit may be denied if the application is not in the proper form does not contain
all information, or fees required by this chapter are not paid.
d) To the extent allowed by law and in the interest of public safetv, all information contained in and
gathered through the alarm permit
applications records relating to alarm dispatch requests
and
applications for appeals shall
be privileged
information held in confidence by all employees
or
representatives of the County
and
by any third-partv administrator or emplovees of a
third -party
administrator with access to such information
PART E. Section 18-96 (Same—Term; fee; nontransferable) of Article IV (Alarm Systems) of
Chapter 18 (Emergency Management and Emergency Services) of the Code of Ordinances of St. Lucie
County is amended as follows:
Sec. 18-96. Same --Term; fee; nontransferable.
(a) An alaFFn peFmit shall have a teFm ef twe yeaFs fFem date of issuanee,
1, and end September 30. ARy alaHn peFrnit issued afteF QGtebeF 1 Will be valid feF the felk) i _
twe yeaFr thFeUgh September 30Alarm System Permits are issued for a period of one (1) year
and will expire 365 days after the date of issuance or renewal, unless otherwise suspended or
revoked at an earlier time. Upon expiration of an alarm system permit, a renewal permit must be
obtained
Underlined passages are added. Struck *hre-u h passages are deleted.
(b) in the manner specified by the county before an alarm system may continue in use.
(c)
.....senewal PeFM.tS, tem - the -Fest-ef FegufatieR_. Alarm permits may not be
transferred to another person or alarm site. Permits are valid only for the permittee and address
listed on the permit.
(d) ARy alaFm permit issued puFsuaRt to this aFtiele shall RE)t be tFaRSfeFable 9F assigRable and 5
An alarm user shall inform the taX^^'�teT County's third
party alarm administrator of any change that alters any information listed on the permit
application within ten working days.
(e) It is the responsibility of the alarm user to submit a renewal application prior to the permit
expiration date. Failure to renew shall be classified as use of a non-permitted alarm system and
citations and penalties shall be assessed without waiver.
(f) Within six (6) months of the effective date of this ordinance any person who has a pre-existing
alarm system which was not installed under a permit may obtain an installation permit for the
scheduled fee without a penalty.
PART F. Section 18-97 (Same --Issuance) of Article IV (Alarm Systems) of Chapter 18 (Emergency
Management and Emergency Services) of the Code of Ordinances of St. Lucie County is amended as
follows:
Sec. 18-97. Same—Issuance.
An alarm permit shall be mailed to the alarm user by the tax ellec-te County's third party alarm
administrator at the address of the alarm user sated on the application within ten days after receipt of
the completed application by the tax-eef4ecter County's third party alarm administrator. An alarm permit
shall be denied if:
(a) The requested information is not supplied on the application.
(b) Material information on the application is incorrect.
(c) Any person or entity listed on the application as responsible for the installation, maintenance
and/or monitoring of the alarm system does not possess any required occupational or
regulatory license to conduct such activities unless the person or entity is the alarm user.
(d) All false alarm dispatch charges for excessive false alarms owed by the alarm user have not
been paid.
(e) The alarm user had an alarm permit for the alarm site suspended or revoked, and the violation
causing the suspension or revocation has not been corrected.
PART G. Section 18-98 (Excessive false alarm signals—Generally) Alarm permit -Required) of
Article IV (Alarm Systems) of Chapter 18 (Emergency Management and Emergency Services) of the Code
of Ordinances of St. Lucie County is amended as follows:
Sec. 18-98. € CPss+vefalse alaFFA signals—Gene of Installation requirements; duty of owners;
duties of alarm companies.
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Underlined passages are added. StFek thFeug4 passages are deleted.
(a) Prior to the activation or substantial modification or use of an alarm system as defined in 18-
89, the owner, manager, or lessee of the premises shall furnish to the County's third party alarm
administrator on a form provided by the County's third party alarm administrator manually or
electronically which includes information deemed necessary to provide adequate response to the alarm.
ll Owners, managers or lessees of existing alarm systems as defined in Sec. 18-89 shall have
thirty (30) days from the effective date of this ordinance to comply with the above notice requirements.
(c) Owners, manager or lessees, or agents of any alarm system shall respond to the alarm location
when requested, in order to reset or deactivate the alarm system within a reasonable time of notification.
Failure to provide such access shall result in a false alarm assessment as provided in Sec.18-100.
d) Prior to the activation or use of any type of general alarm device the owner. manager or lessee
of the premises shall furnish to the County's third party alarm administrator, information regarding the
full names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least three (3) persons for commercial properties and
two (2) persons for residential properties who can be reached at all times and who are authorized and
have the capability to enter the premises and deactivate the alarm device. Owners, managers or lessees
of the premises with alarm devices already installed shall have thirty (30) days from the effective date of
this ordinance to comply with the above notice requirement. It shall be the responsibility of the owner,
manager or lessee of the premises to provide an updated list annually to the County's third party alarm
administrator. Failure to do so may result in a false alarm assessment subiect to the sanctions of Sec. 18-
100.
(e) All burglar alarm systems having an audible or visual signal at the premises shall be equipped
so as to automatically shut off the audible or visual signal after fifteen (15) minutes, except those systems
required by law to have a longer operating period, in which case said system shall be equipped so as to
automatically shut off the audible or visual signal at the conclusion of the longer required operating time.
(f) All alarm systems shall be properly maintained. System malfunction due to faulty maintenance
shall not be grounds for an excused false alarm assessment.
Underlined passages are added. StFUG'- thFe passages are deleted.
..sr.
.919K
(a) Prior to the activation or substantial modification or use of an alarm system as defined in 18-
89, the owner, manager, or lessee of the premises shall furnish to the County's third party alarm
administrator on a form provided by the County's third party alarm administrator manually or
electronically which includes information deemed necessary to provide adequate response to the alarm.
ll Owners, managers or lessees of existing alarm systems as defined in Sec. 18-89 shall have
thirty (30) days from the effective date of this ordinance to comply with the above notice requirements.
(c) Owners, manager or lessees, or agents of any alarm system shall respond to the alarm location
when requested, in order to reset or deactivate the alarm system within a reasonable time of notification.
Failure to provide such access shall result in a false alarm assessment as provided in Sec.18-100.
d) Prior to the activation or use of any type of general alarm device the owner. manager or lessee
of the premises shall furnish to the County's third party alarm administrator, information regarding the
full names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least three (3) persons for commercial properties and
two (2) persons for residential properties who can be reached at all times and who are authorized and
have the capability to enter the premises and deactivate the alarm device. Owners, managers or lessees
of the premises with alarm devices already installed shall have thirty (30) days from the effective date of
this ordinance to comply with the above notice requirement. It shall be the responsibility of the owner,
manager or lessee of the premises to provide an updated list annually to the County's third party alarm
administrator. Failure to do so may result in a false alarm assessment subiect to the sanctions of Sec. 18-
100.
(e) All burglar alarm systems having an audible or visual signal at the premises shall be equipped
so as to automatically shut off the audible or visual signal after fifteen (15) minutes, except those systems
required by law to have a longer operating period, in which case said system shall be equipped so as to
automatically shut off the audible or visual signal at the conclusion of the longer required operating time.
(f) All alarm systems shall be properly maintained. System malfunction due to faulty maintenance
shall not be grounds for an excused false alarm assessment.
Underlined passages are added. StFUG'- thFe passages are deleted.
W All alarm systems shall obtain all necessary permits and inspections for the installation of the
system.
(h) All alarm companies that sell, lease, install, operate, monitor or have the responsibility for
alarm systems, shall maintain the appropriate license as required under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes
and shall register annually with the County. A fine of $500.00 shall be assessed to any alarm monitoring
company who fails to register. Each registration shall be valid for twelve (12) months. The alarm
monitoring company shall provide the following information:
(1) Name, street address and telephone number. Monitoring companies shall maintain, for a
period of at least one year, records relating to alarm notification and shall provide such records to the
County's third party alarm administrator upon request, or a fine of $125.00 shall be assessed.
(2) The names, street addresses, and telephone numbers of all contracted alarm operators within
the territorial iurisdiction of the County.
(3) The procedure used to verify the legitimacy of an alarm prior to notification of County law
enforcement.
(4) The name, street address, and telephone number of the alarm company.
(i) 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 registration number, when available, to the communications center to
facilitate dispatch and/or cancellation.
Communicate anv available information about the location of the alarms to the
communications center.
(4) Communicate a cancellation to the communications center as soon as possible following a
determination that a response is unnecessary.
PART H. Section 18-99 (Same—False alarm dispatch charge; collection) of Article IV (Alarm
Systems) of Chapter 18 (Emergency Management and Emergency Services) of the Code of Ordinances
of St. Lucie County is amended as follows:
Sec. 18-99. Response to alarms; determination of
validity.
Underlined passages are added. StFuek thFeug4 passages are deleted.
useF shall be ehaFged a seFyiee fee by the county of $130.00 f9F the fir-st -alar.m. iA excess Af
thFee false a!-'—' R r,-..E)d, $155.00 f9F the secoRd false a'aFFn in excess ef
thFee false a!aFFnS any ene yeaF peFied, and $205.00 feF the th*Fd and each suec;ess*Ye false
this seetien. PaymeRt of such chaFges shall be due within ten weFl(ing days ef the date ef
reGeipt of the iRYeiee. Pay.m.e.pt shall be by meney eFdeF, cenified, cheek eF cash only. in the
herein, the tax eelleetaF shall Ratify the sheFiff eF thP- forte marshal, as appFqpFiate, that the
chaFge is past due. The sher64 eF the fiFe FnaFShal, as appFepFiate, shall theR Make an effaFt
to c-e'leet said c;haFge. in the eyeRt the she—riff er fire FnaFshal is unable to collect said GhaFge
timely FRanneF. WpeR Feceipt ef such eemplaint, the cede eRfeFEeMeRt diyisien shall initiate
Whenever an alarm is activated in the county,
thereby requiring an emergency response to the location by law enforcement and/or the fire
district, and the management of the alarm site does not respond, a police officer or firefighter
on the scene of the activated alarm system shall visually inspect the area protected by the
system and shall exercise reasonable judgment to determine whether the emergency
response was in fact required as indicated by the alarm system or whether in some way the
alarm system malfunctioned and therebv activated a false alarm.
(b) If a police officer or firefighter at the scene of the activated alarm system determines the
alarm to be false, said officer shall make a report of the false alarm, a notification of which
shall be mailed or delivered by the third party alarm administrator to the alarm user and/or
record title owner at the address on file with law enforcement. advisine the alarm user and
record title owner of the false alarm
(c) Law Enforcement shall have the right to inspect any alarm system on the premises to which a
response has been made and they may cause an inspection of such system to be made at any
reasonable time thereafter to determine whether it is being used in conformity with the terms
of this chapter.
(d) All false alarm dispatch charges collected as the result of such enforcement shall only be used
to offset the costs incurred in responding to false alarms and administration of the alarm
systems ordinance.
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PART I. Section 18-100. (Classifying alarms; fees charged) of Article IV (Alarm Systems) of
Chapter 18 (Emergency Management and Emergency Services) of the Code of Ordinances of St. Lucie
County is amended as follows:
Sec. 18-100. Classifying alarms; fees charged.
(a) For each response by any emergency unit of the County to an alarm the responding agency
will file a report, classifying the alarm as one of the following:
(1) False alarm, system test with no notification or system malfunction.
(2) False alarms, no system test, no owner response
(3) Valid alarm for cause designated.
(b) There shall be a fine charged for false alarms according to the following schedule during a
rolling twelve month period:
Alarm Within 12 Months
Fire/Rescue
Law Enforcement
First
L0
LO
Second
200
100
Third
300
200
Fourth
500
400
Fifth & Subsequent
500
500
(c) Alarm Companies shall not activate the alarm system prior to the registration. If a false alarm
occurs prior to the registration of the alarm permit, the alarm monitoring company will be charged a fine
of $250.00. If the alarm system is self -monitored the alarm user will be charged a fine of $50.00, which
may be waived if the alarm permit is registered within thirty (30) days.
(d) In addition, any person operating a non -permitted Alarm System will be subject to an
additional fine of $50.00. This fee may be waived if the permit is registered in fifteen (15) days.
PART J. Section 18-100 (Disbursement of service charges) of Article IV (Alarm Systems) of
Chapter 18 (Emergency Management and Emergency Services) of the Code of Ordinances of St. Lucie
County is amended as follows:
Sec. 18-UG101. Disbursement of service charges.
Service charges will be disbursed to the fine and forfeiture accounts of each responding law
enforcement agency and/or the general fund of the county fire district
or in a manner as agreed to by all affected agencies. Pursuant to F.S. Section 30.51, all service fees and
charges assessed for services of the Sheriff shall be remitted to the county.
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PART K. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held
invalid, it is the intent of the District that the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of
the Ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the
provisions of this Ordinance are declared severable.
PART L. FILING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
The Clerk is hereby directed forthwith to send a certified copy of this ordinance to the Bureau of
Administrative Code and Laws, Department of State, the Capitol, Tallahassee, Florida 32304.
PART M. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Ordinance shall take effect on October 1, 2015.
PART N. ADOPTION.
After motion and second, the vote on this ordinance was as follows:
Chair Paula A. Lewis
AYE
Vice Chair Kim Johnson
AYE
Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky
AYE
Commissioner Tod Mowery
AYE
Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson
AYE
PART O. CODIFICATION.
Provisions of this ordinance shall be incorporated in the Code of Ordinances of St. Lucie County,
Florida, and the word "ordinance" may be changed to "section," "article," or other appropriate word, and
the sections of this ordinance may be renumbered or relettered to accomplish such intention; provided,
however, that Parts K through O shall not be codified.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 19th day of May, 2015.
12
Underlined passages are added.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIECO��U�%NTY, FLORIDA
diz
Chair /
APPROVE S TO FORM
CORRECTNE S:
BY:
County Attorn y
StFuc g-14 passages are deleted.
1131
wm
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT 0 STATE
- f
RICK SCOTT
Governor
May 29, 2015
Honorable Joseph E. Smith
Clerk of the Circuit Court
St. Lucie County
2300 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, Florida 34982
Attention: Ms. Sue Korunow, Recording Secretary/Finance Assistant
Dear Mr. Smith:
JUN p 12015
COUNTY ATTORNEY
KEN DETZNER
Secretary of State
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 125.66, Florida Statutes, this will acknowledge receipt of your
electronic copy of St. Lucie County Ordinance No. 2015-005, which was filed in this office on May 29,
2015.
Sincerely,
Ernest L. Reddick
Program Administrator
ELR/lb
R. A. Gray Building • 500 South Bronough Street • Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250
Telephone: (850) 245-6270 • Facsimile: (850) 488-9879
www.dos.state.il.us