The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings ascribed to them in this section:
(A) “Alarm agent” means any person employed by or working as an independent contractor for an alarm dealer, who sells, repairs, services, alters, replaces, removes, designs, maintains, or installs, alarm systems, on/in the premises of the alarm user.
(B) “Alarm dealer” means any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity that sells, leases, monitors, maintains, services, repairs, alters, replaces, moves or installs any alarm system; or causes to be sold, leased, monitored, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, moved, or installed, any alarm in or on any building, structure or facility. (This shall include owners of proprietary alarm systems).
Alarm dealer shall not include electrical and building contractors licensed by the city who do not advertise or otherwise represent themselves as being in the business of alarm dealers nor retail stores where the selling of alarm systems or components is not the store’s primary business.
(C) “Alarm system” means any assembly of equipment, mechanical, audible or electrical, designed to signal any fire or occurrence of an illegal entry or other illegal activity requiring emergency response by the police or fire division, but does not include alarms installed in motor vehicles, or security devices carried on the person.
(D) “Alarm user” means any person, partnership, corporation, or any other entity who purchases, leases, contracts for, otherwise obtains or uses an alarm system in a facility that lies within the jurisdiction of the division of fire or police.
(E) “Automatic dialer” means any alarm system which is designed to emit its signal directly to the police division or fire division by means of dialing a telephone number and giving a pre-recorded message.
(F) “Board” shall mean the alarm advisory board as constituted in this chapter.
(G) “Emergency contact person” means a person listed on the alarm permit application by the alarm user, who has a key or other access to the alarm user’s property and who will respond, if necessary, when the alarm system is activated.
(H) “False alarm” means an alarm signal requesting an emergency response by the police or fire division when an emergency situation does not exist. False alarms do not include signals:
(1) Caused by tornadoes, blizzards or other catastrophic acts of God;
(2) That have been cancelled by the Columbus police or fire dispatcher prior to arrival of the police or fire division.
(I) “Permit year” means each twelve (12) month period following the issue date of a permit.
(J) “Revocation” means that period of time when all rights and privileges of a permit have been abolished for noncompliance with provisions of this chapter. Reinstatement of the permit shall occur when all provisions of this chapter have been met.
(K) “Service fee” means penalty charges assessed for false alarms.
(L) “Term” means length of permit validity. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) No alarm user shall operate an alarm system, monitored or audible, without first having been issued a valid alarm user permit from the department of public safety, license section.
(B) The property owner shall obtain a permit for any operational alarm system housed in vacant property.
(C) No posting of the alarm user permit is required; however, the permit shall be made available immediately upon the request of any police officer, firefighter or license officer.
(D) The issuance of a false alarm notice by the police or fire division pursuant to Section 597.16 shall be prima facie evidence that an alarm system is in use, and for the purpose of determining the number of false alarms per year, the date of that false alarm shall be used as the date the permit is issued. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) Applications for alarm user permits shall be made on forms provided by the license section. All requested information shall be accurately completed and all agreement and permission statements signed.
Any change in application information as provided shall be reported to the license section within fourteen (14) calendar days of such change.
(B) All alarm user permits shall be valid for two (2) years from date of issue.
(C) An alarm user permit may be transferred by named users to their new location during a permit period.
(1) Said permit is not transferable from one user to another user.
(D) Permit fees, as provided in Section 597.97, shall be paid prior to issuance of permit, except that no permit fee shall be imposed upon any federal, state, county or municipal government agency.
(E) Exemptions:
(1) No alarm user permit shall be required of any federal, state, county, or municipal government agency.
(2) No service fee for false fire alarms shall be imposed upon users of fire alarm systems in facilities defined in the Ohio Basic Building Code use groups of A-1, A-3, A-4, A-5, E, I-1, I-2, I-3, R-1 and any school or educational facility used for teaching or educating five (5) or more people. Such users shall make application for the service fee exemption with the license section.
(F) All permits shall be renewed prior to their date of expiration.
(1) Users shall be invoiced for renewal fees;
(2) Renewal invoices shall also request any change in permit information currently on file. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) An alarm user permit may be revoked for any of the following reasons:
(1) Any false alarms in excess of twelve (12) false alarms in a permit year;
(2) Failure to remit the service fee required by Section 597.97, within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of invoice, or within thirty (30) calendar days of a final determination of liability, if appealed, as allowed under 597.17(A), (B);
(3) Failure to remit renewal fee and information change required by Section 597.03(F), within thirty (30) days of invoice date shall result in an automatic revocation of an alarm user permit.
(4) Falsification of any information on an alarm user permit application;
(5) Failure to appear at any hearing as provided in this chapter;
(6) Failure to notify the license section of changes in permit information as required by Section 597.03(A);
(7) Use of any automatic dialer programmed to connect directly to the Columbus police division or fire division;
(8) Programming any dialer to connect with the 911 emergency system;
(9) Failure to cooperate with license officers inspecting alarm systems;
(10) Failure to disconnect or reset an alarm system when ordered to do so by the director of public safety or designee.
(B) A hearing shall be conducted by the director of public safety or designee to determine if an alarm user permit should be revoked. The holder of the alarm user permit shall be notified by certified mail or personal service at least fourteen (14) calendar days in advance of such hearing. The holder of the alarm user permit shall have the right to present evidence and testimony.
(C) Provisions of Section 501.08(A)(6), shall not apply to this chapter. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) No person, company, corporation, partnership, or other entity shall sell, lease, monitor, install, activate; or cause to be sold, leased, monitored, installed or activated, an alarm system unless such person, company, corporation, partnership or other entity is first in possession of a valid alarm dealer permit. Each dealer permit shall be assigned a permanent identification (I.D.) number.
(B) A separate permit shall be required for each location from which an alarm dealer offers sales or service to the general public. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) Alarm dealer applications shall be made on forms provided by the license section. All requested information shall be accurately completed.
(1) Any change in application information shall be reported to the license section within fourteen (14) calendar days of such change.
(B) All applications shall be accompanied by a copy of an existing general liability insurance policy or certificate, in an amount which is no less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00). Such policy or certificate shall be issued by an insurance company or person duly licensed to transact business in the state of Ohio, or by an insurance company or person not authorized to transact business in the state, provided such insurance is written through a person duly licensed as provided by Ohio Revised Code 3905.30.
(C) The policy or certificate must contain an endorsement providing for ten (10) days notice to the city prior to any material change or cancellation.
(D) Any cancellation of insurance as provided in Section 597.06(B) above, shall result in an automatic revocation of the respective alarm dealer permit.
(E) Permits shall expire one (1) year from date of issue.
(F) Permits are nontransferable.
(G) Permit fees, as provided in Section 597.97, shall be paid prior to issuance of a permit.
(H) All alarm dealer permits shall be renewed prior to their date of expiration. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) Alarm dealers shall not:
(1) Employ any person to sell, install, or service an alarm system or otherwise act as an alarm agent unless such person has a valid alarm agent permit.
(2) Contract for monitoring of an alarm system with any person or company not holding an alarm dealer permit;
(B) Alarm dealers shall provide to the license section in format approved by the section:
(1) Information on new installations and customers as they occur.
(2) An accurate listing of all names and identification numbers of other alarm dealers for whom they currently monitor (monitor customer), prior to obtaining their own alarm dealer permit; and,
(a) Any change in current monitor customer permit information as it occurs;
(b) Any new monitor customer information by the end of the last business day of each month;
(c) Any deletion in monitor customer listings by the end of the last business day of each month.
(C) Alarm dealers shall also:
(1) Provide company identification cards for alarm agents, which shall include, company name, agent name, agent photograph.
(2) Completely test each alarm system after installation.
(3) Instruct all customers in writing of procedures for testing the system.
(D) Alarm dealers shall be issued an I.D. number for each company that monitors its alarms. This number shall be used when the monitoring company requests service from the Columbus police division or fire division.
(1) I.D. numbers will be provided at no charge when an alarm dealer permit is issued.
(2) If an alarm dealer makes changes in monitoring companies after obtaining a permit, a fee shall be charged in accordance with Section 597.97.
(E) Alarm dealers shall also conform to all city codes, including, but not limited to building and fire codes, as well as the state and federal laws applicable thereto. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

No person shall operate as an alarm agent without first being in possession of a valid alarm agent permit. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) Alarm agent applications shall be made on forms provided by the license section, accompanied by a close-up color photograph, one and one-half (1-1/2) inch x one and one-half (1-1/2) inch, without hat or sunglasses, and taken within the past sixty (60) days. All requested information shall be accurately completed.
(1) Any change in application information shall be reported to the license section within fourteen (14) calendar days of such change.
(B) Permits shall expire one (1) year from date of issue.
(C) Permits are nontransferable.
(D) Permit fees, as provided in Section 597.97, shall be paid prior to issuance of a permit.
(E) All alarm agent permits shall be renewed prior to their date of expiration. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) Alarm agents shall not do business for any person or company that is not in possession of a valid alarm dealer permit.
(B) Alarm agents shall:
(1) Wear on the outermost garment an identification card bearing the alarm agent’s name, picture, and the name of the alarm dealer for whom the alarm agent is working;
(2) Completely test each alarm system after installation.
(3) Instruct all customers verbally and in writing of system testing procedures. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) An alarm dealer or alarm agent permit may be revoked for any of the following reasons:
(1) Falsification of any information on permit application;
(2) Failure to appear at any hearing as provided in this chapter;
(3) Failure to notify the license section of changes in permit information as required in Section 597.06(A)(1).
(4) Installation of any automatic dialer programmed to connect directly to the Columbus police division or fire division;
(5) Programming any dialer to connect with the 911 emergency system;
(6) Failure to cooperate with license officers inspecting alarm systems;
(7) Violation of any other provision of this chapter.
(B) A hearing shall be conducted by the director of public safety or designee to determine if a permit should be revoked. However, a hearing shall not be required in cases of automatic revocation caused by insurance cancellations as provided in Section 597.06(D).
(1) The holder of the permit shall be notified by certified mail or personal service at least fourteen (14) calendar days in advance of such hearing.
(2) The holder of the permit shall have the right to counsel and the right to present evidence and testimony.
(C) Provisions in Chapter 501.08(A)(6), shall not apply to this chapter. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

No permit shall be issued to any alarm dealer or agent who has been convicted of theft or any felony within the past five (5) years, nor to any person on parole for a felony at the time of application. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) Alarm systems capable of being activated by any failure in the electrical current are prohibited.
(1) Systems shall be equipped with a secondary power source which shall hold the alarm readiness for a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes or shall be rendered inoperable by such power interruption.
(B) Audible alarm systems which do not have an automatic cutoff within fifteen (15) minutes after initial activation shall be prohibited.
(C) The sensory mechanisms used in connection with alarm systems shall be adjusted so that the device will not be activated by forces unrelated to genuine alarms, including but not limited to the following:
(1) Short flashes of light;
(2) Wind noises, such as the rattling or vibrating of doors or windows;
(3) Vehicular noise adjacent to the installation.
(D) No automatic dialers shall be programmed to dial the 911 emergency response system.
(E) Use of any automatic dialer systems programmed to connect directly with the Columbus police division or fire division is prohibited.
(F) All fire systems, must at all times, remain within the standards set forth by the state fire marshal or the Columbus fire division. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

Alarm users, and alarm dealers shall cooperate with the safety director or designee by supplying information that may be necessary to disconnect or reset any system that does not conform to Section 597.13(B) above. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

Excessive false alarm occurrences may result in on-site inspections by license officers or in consultations conducted by the director of public safety or designee. Alarm users and their responsible alarm dealers may be required to be in attendance. Excessive false alarms shall mean seven (7) or more false alarms in a twelve (12) month period. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) When a police officer or firefighter responds to the scene of an emergency alarm signal, it shall be the responsibility of that officer or firefighter to determine the validity of the emergency signal.
(B) If the responding police officer or firefighter determines the emergency signal to be false, that officer or firefighter shall make a report of the false alarm and forward it to the department of public safety, license section. A notification of the false alarm report shall be immediately delivered to the address of the false alarm occurrence.
(C) Each false alarm notice shall constitute a separate violation of this chapter. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) Upon receipt of any false alarm report, the alarm user may appeal by submitting a written explanation as to the actual cause of the alarm within fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of the false alarm.
(B) False alarms may be dismissed under the following conditions:
(1) Equipment malfunction, with written verification from the alarm company that such malfunctioning equipment has been repaired;
(2) Burglary, attempted burglary, or vandalism if proper police report has been filed.
(C) False alarms will not be dismissed for the following reasons:
(1) Low battery in alarm back-up system;
(2) Premises left unsecured;
(3) Defective locks;
(4) Loose fitting windows and doors;
(5) Improper use of alarm system by the user;
(6) Repetitive service orders for alleged equipment malfunctions.
(D) If the license section upholds the original false alarm determination, the appellant will have fourteen (14) calendar days from that date to appeal the decision.
(1) A hearing officer shall be appointed by the director of public safety or designee to hear appeals.
(2) Hearings shall be scheduled within fourteen (14) calendar days of receipt of such request by the license section. The alarm user shall have the right to present evidence and testimony. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) All permits named in this chapter that have been revoked for any reason shall be assessed a reinstatement fee as provided in Section 597.97.
(B) In addition to the reinstatement fee, all outstanding service fees shall be paid prior to reinstatement.
(C) In addition to (A) and (B) above, a corrective action plan submitted by the alarm user, may also be required by the director of public safety or designee prior to reinstatement. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

All revocation orders issued by the license section shall be subject to appeal to the board of license appeals pursuant to Chapter 505. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

The issuance of any permit in conjunction with this chapter shall not constitute acceptance by the city of any liability for anything in connection therewith. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

If any portion of this chapter, or any portion of a section is declared to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such declaration of invalidity shall be limited to that portion and be declared invalid. This declaration of invalidity shall not affect or impair the remainder of this chapter, and to this end, the provisions are severable. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) The following schedule sets forth applicable fees and terms for alarm dealers, users, and agents:

(B) All fees, once processed, shall be nonrefundable. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part); Ord. 868-03 § 1 (part).)

(A) There is hereby established an alarm advisory board in the office of the public safety director.
(B) Composition of the Board.
(1) The board shall consist of the following nine (9) members:
(a) The director of public safety or a designate, who shall serve as chairman;
(b) A representative from the division of fire;
(c) A representative from the division of police;
(d) A representative from the department of trade and development;
(e) A representative selected by the Ohio Burglar & Fire Alarm Association;
(f) A representative from the license section;
(g) Three (3) members appointed by the mayor as follows:
1. A citizen member holding a valid alarm user permit;
2. An instructor from an accredited electronic or electrical training program;
3. An alarm dealer holding a valid alarm dealer permit.
(C) Membership Terms.
(1) The appointed members shall serve for a term of two (2) years, beginning January 1 through December 31, or until a successor is appointed, and shall serve without compensation.
(2) The city representatives shall serve as long as they hold their positions with the city, and shall serve without additional compensation.
(D) Function of the Board.
(1) The board shall advise and consult with the director of public safety concerning practices in the alarm industry, and shall undertake to encourage high technical standards, fair business practices, and public responsibility.
(2) The board shall hear and make recommendations to the director on any matter in which the director may request the board to meet. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)

(A) Whoever violates Section 597.02 shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00). Upon subsequent conviction, such person shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree and shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned for not more than sixty (60) days or both.
(B) Whoever violates Sections 597.05 and 597.08 shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree and shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned for not more than sixty (60) days or both. Any violation shall constitute a separate offense for each successive day continued. (Ord. 1785-98 § 1 (part).)