§ 17-09-030. Definitions.

(a)

The term "alarm system business" means the business of any individual, partnership, corporation, or other entity engaged in selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, alerting, replacing, monitoring, installing any alarm system, or in causing any alarm system to be sold, leased, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, monitored or installed in any building, structure, or facility.

(b)

The term "alarm system" means any mechanical or electrical device which is designed primarily for the detection of a fire or an unauthorized entry into a building, structure, facility, or of the commission of a robbery within a building, structure, or both; and which emits a sound or transmits a signal or message when actuated, which causes notification to be made to the Department of Public Safety. The representation in the ordinary course of business by a person selling or leasing a device that the device is sold or leased for the purpose of such detection shall create a presumption that the device is an alarm system. For the purposes of this definition, an "alarm system" shall not include:

1.

A device installed on a motor vehicle, except for the provisions of section 17-09-070(c);

2.

Devices which are not designed or used to register alarms that are audible, visible, or perceptible outside of the protected building, structure, or facility; or devices installed in buildings, structure, or facilities controlled by the Federal government, the state or any of their agencies, institutions or political subdivisions.

3.

A device for alerting others of a medical emergency situation.

(c)

The term "alarm user" means the person listed on the alarm registration as being responsible for the alarm system identified in the registration whether individually or as part of the alarm system monitored by an alarm system business.

(d)

The term "automatic dialing device" refers to an alarm system which automatically sends over regular telephone lines, by direct connection or otherwise, a prerecorded voice message or coded signal indicating the existence of the emergency situation that the alarm system is designed to detect.

(e)

The term "central station" means that part of alarm business which intercepts signals indicating the activation of an alarm device and which relays this information by live voice to the department of public safety.

(f)

The term "direct line" means a telephone line leading directly from a central station to the communication center of the department of public safety that is for use only to report emergency signals on a person-to-person basis.

(g)

The term "false alarm" means the activation of any alarm system which was not the result of an emergency or threat of emergency of the kind for which the alarm system was designed to give notice. False alarms shall not include alarms caused by lightning, electrical interruptions, floods or other natural disasters.

(h)

The term "hearing officer" means the city manager or a person designated by the city manager to act as an impartial arbitrator at hearings related to the enforcement of this ordinance.

(i)

The term "interconnect" means to connect an alarm system to a voice grade telephone line, either directly or through a mechanical device that utilizes a standard telephone, for the purpose of using the telephone line to transmit an emergency message upon the activation of the alarm system.

(j)

The term "local alarm system" refers to a signaling system which when activated causes an audible and visual signaling device, or both, to be activated in or on the premises within which the system is installed.

(k)

The term "person" means any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization of any kind.

(l)

The term "public safety director" means the current director of the department of public safety or a designated representative.

(m)

The term "primary trunk line" means a telephone line leading directly into the communications center of the department of public safety that is for the purpose of handling emergency calls on a person-to-person basis, and which is identified as such by a specific number included among the emergency numbers listed in the telephone directory issued by telephone company and covering the service area within the department's jurisdiction. The "911" emergency number is a primary trunk line.

(Ord. No. 955, 8-22-95)