§ 41.12. Fines.
(1)
An alarm user shall be subject to fines, based on the number of false alarms within a 12-month period, calculated from the date of the first false alarm. City Council will set the fines by resolution.
(a)
[Reserved.]
(b)
An alarm user or responder who refuses to respond to the alarm site when requested to do so by Police personnel, shall be assessed a fine, as set by resolution, per dispatch request. The Alarm Coordinator shall waive this fine if: the Orlando Police Department is unable to contact any persons to respond to the alarm site; when the alarm user or responder is at a distance greater than 50 miles from the alarm site; when the alarm user or responder is unable to respond to the alarm site due to a medical emergency; or any other situation in which sufficient, reliable evidence is presented to the Alarm Coordinator demonstrating an alarm user's or responder's inability to respond to the alarm site.
(c)
Any person operating an alarm system which is not registered as required by this Chapter shall be assessed a fine, as set by resolution, per dispatch request. The Alarm Coordinator shall waive this fine if the alarm user submits a complete registration application within 10 days of the first false alarm.
(d)
Any person failing to disclose the use of a chemical alarm shall be assessed a fine, as set by resolution, per dispatch request.
(2)
Alarm installation companies shall be subject to the following fines, in an amount set by resolution:
(a)
An alarm installation company shall be assessed a fine for failing to obtain a permit for each new alarm system installed within the City limits, except for wireless alarm systems.
(b)
An alarm installation company shall be assessed a fine for each false alarm caused by an alarm installation company's technician. In these cases, a false alarm will not be counted against an alarm user.
(c)
An alarm installation company shall be assessed a fine if the Alarm Coordinator determines that an alarm installation company knowingly made a false statement concerning the inspection, performance, or repair of an alarm system at an alarm site.
(d)
Unlicensed or improperly licensed alarm installation companies found to be selling, providing, installing, servicing, or monitoring alarm systems within the City limits shall be assessed a fine per alarm system, and will be issued a Cease and Desist Order issued from the Orlando Police Department requiring immediate cessation of all such activities.
(3)
Monitoring companies shall be subject to the following fines, in an amount set by resolution:
(a)
A monitoring company shall be assessed a fine for each failure to verify an alarm system signal as required by section 489.529, Florida Statutes.
(b)
A monitoring company shall be assessed a fine for each dispatch to an alarm site known by the monitoring company at the time of the dispatch call to be a false alarm.
(c)
A monitoring company shall be assessed a fine for each dispatch to an incomplete address, including, but not limited to omitted apartment or suite numbers, or a business name.
(d)
A monitoring company shall be assessed a fine for failing to disclose the use of a chemical alarm or other known hazard at the alarm site when Police respond to that alarm site.
(4)
Automatic Voice Dialers. A person shall be assessed a fine for installing, maintaining, operating or using an automatic voice dialer.
(5)
All false alarm fines assessed are due and payable within 30 days from the date of invoice.
(6)
The City shall collect outstanding fees and fines pursuant to Section 1.08 of the City Code.
(7)
The City Council may change the amount of the all fees or fines in this section by resolution.
(Ord. No. 2012-36, § 2, 3-25-2013, Doc. #1303251203; Ord. No. 2016-50, § 3, 7-25-2016, Doc. #1607251206)