§ 41.14. False Alarm Warning Notice; Service Fee.

(1)

Each time the Orlando Fire Department responds to a false alarm due to system malfunction or when no reason can be determined for such false alarm, the Orlando Fire Department shall issue a warning notice.

(2)

(a)

A service fee for excessive false alarms for Residential Premises to a single-family or two-family residence unit shall be charged as follows:

(i)

No service fee shall be charged for a current false alarm if in the preceding twelve month period, calculated from the date of the current false alarm, two (2) or fewer prior false alarms occurred during that period;

(ii)

A service fee of $100.00 (one hundred dollars) shall be charged for a current false alarm if in the preceding twelve month period, calculated from the date of the current false alarm, three (3) and up to and including five (5) prior false alarms occurred during that period;

(iii)

A service fee of $200.00 (two hundred dollars) shall be charged for a current false alarm if in the preceding twelve month period, calculated from the date of the current false alarm, six (6) or more prior false alarms occurred during that period;

(iv)

When calculating the number of prior false alarms for the periods described in subsections (i) through (iii) above, the current false alarm is not counted.

(b)

A service fee for excessive false alarms for Commercial Premises shall be charged as follows:

(i)

No service fee shall be charged for a current false alarm if in the preceding twelve month period, calculated from the date of the current false alarm, one (1) or fewer prior false alarms occurred during that period;

(ii)

A service fee of $250.00 (two hundred fifty dollars) shall be charged for a current false alarm if in the preceding twelve month period, calculated from the date of the current false alarm, two (2) and up to and including three (3) prior false alarms occurred during that period;

(iii)

A service fee of $300.00 (three hundred dollars) shall be charged for a current false alarm if in the preceding twelve month period, calculated from the date of the current false alarm, four (4) and up to and including five (5) prior false alarms occurred during that period;

(iv)

A service fee of $350.00 (three hundred fifty dollars) shall be charged for a current false alarm if in the preceding twelve month period, calculated from the date of the current false alarm, six (6) or more prior false alarms occurred during that period;

(v)

When calculating the number of prior false alarms for the periods described in subsections (i) through (iv) above, the current false alarm is not counted.

(3)

No service fee shall be assessed if the false alarm is:

(a)

Caused by an electrical storm, hurricane, tornado or other act of God where there is clear evidence of physical damage to the alarm system;

(b)

Caused by the intermittent disruption of telephone circuits beyond the control of the alarm site owner;

(c)

Caused by electrical power disruption or failure in excess of two (2) hours beyond the control of the alarm site owner;

(d)

Located at any public educational and ancillary plants, pursuant to Florida Statute § 1013.371(1)(a).

(4)

All false alarm service fees are due and payable within thirty (30) days from date of invoice. In the event that false alarm service fees are not paid as required by this chapter, the Orlando Fire Department may refer the matter to the City Attorney's Office for appropriate legal action.

(5)

A person commits an offense in violation of this chapter if such person suffers or permits false alarms in excess of three (3) for any single-family or two-family residence unit; or two (2) for any other type of occupancy, within a twelve (12) month period, each such false alarm constituting a separate violation.

(6)

The City of Orlando, City Council may change the amount of the false alarm response fees by resolution upon a finding that changed circumstances justify the establishment of a different fee amount.

(Ord. of 12-16-1996, Doc. #29898; Ord. No. 2010-45, § 3, 10-4-2010, Doc. #1010041102; Ord. No. 2012-36, § 3, 3-25-2013, Doc. #1303251203)

Editor's note

Ord. No. 2012-36, § 3, adopted Mar. 25, 2013, Doc. #1303251203, renumbered § 41.06 as § 41.14.