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AGENDA
Public Safety Committee Regular Meeting
4:30 PM - Monday, August 13, 2018
Council Conference Room, 7th Floor, City Hall – 1055 S. Grady Way
1. Alarm Ordinance Revision
a) AB - 2180 Police Department recommends adoption of an ordinance that repeals and
replaces Renton Municipal Code 6-3 that updates language and processes needed to
support a modern burglar alarm reduction program, including holding alarm users
responsible for their use of alarm systems.
2. Emerging Issues in Public Safety
AB - 2180
City Council Regular Meeting - 06 Aug 2018
SUBJECT/TITLE: Repeal and Replace Chapter 6-3 of the Renton Municipal Code,
Amending Alarm System Regulations
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Refer to Public Safety Committee
DEPARTMENT: Police
STAFF CONTACT: Dave Leibman, Commander
EXT.: 7573
FISCAL IMPACT SUMMARY:
N/A
SUMMARY OF ACTION:
To replace the City of Renton alarm ordinance with language and processes that support modern false alarm
reduction programs.
The current City of Renton alarm ordinance supported a police department burglar alarm reduction program
that ceased to exist once the program software became obsolete and inoperable in 2016.
Responding to and processing alarms cost the city an average of $350,000 in unproductive staff time per year,
over the last three years.
The new ordinance supports changes in practice that will enable the City to reduce the number of false alarms
and associated costs by establishing reasonable expectations of alarm users and alarm companies, and to
ensure that alarm users are held responsible for their use of alarm systems.
EXHIBITS:
A. Ordinance
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the recommended repeal and replacement of Renton Municipal Code 6-3
AGENDA ITEM #1. a)
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CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO. ________
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, REPEALING AND
REPLACING CHAPTER 6‐3 OF THE RENTON MUNICIPAL CODE, AMENDING ALARM
SYSTEM REGULATIONS, AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND ESTABLISHING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, excessive false alarms unduly burden the City of Renton Police Department’s
limited law enforcement resources; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this ordinance is to establish reasonable expectations of alarm
users, and alarm companies, and to ensure that alarm users are held responsible for their use of
alarm systems; and
WHEREAS, the Council deems it necessary to replace the current RMC Chapter 6‐3
(Burglar Alarms) relating to false alarm regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Council has determined that it would be beneficial to delegate the
enforcement responsibilities for excessive false alarms;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, DO
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. Chapter 6‐3 of the Renton Municipal Code is repealed in its entirety and
replaced with the following language:
CHAPTER 3
ALARM SYSTEM REGULATIONS
SECTION:
6‐3‐1: Purpose
6‐3‐2: Definitions
6‐3‐3: Authority; Funds
6‐3‐4: Alarm Permit Required
6‐3‐5: Duties Of An Alarm User
6‐3‐6: Duties Of An Alarm Company
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6‐3‐7: Violations
6‐3‐8: Suspension Of Response
6‐3‐9: Reinstatement Of Response
6‐3‐10: Appeals Process
6‐3‐1 PURPOSE:
It is the intent of this chapter to reduce the number of false alarms occurring
within the City and to minimize the resulting waste of City resources by providing
for corrective administrative action to hold alarm users and alarm companies
responsible for proper use of alarm systems.
6‐3‐2 DEFINITIONS:
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the
meanings ascribed to them, except where the context clearly indicates a different
meaning:
A. Alarm Administrator: Person or persons designated by the City to
administer the provisions of this chapter.
B. Alarm Company: Person or company, firm, and/or a company engaged in
the selling, leasing, installing, servicing or monitoring alarm systems.
C. Alarm Dispatch Request: A notification to a law enforcement agency that
an alarm, either manual or automatic, has been activated at a particular alarm
site, which results in a request for law enforcement action.
D. Alarm Permit: A permit issued to an alarm user allowing the operation of
an alarm system within the City.
E. Alarm Signal: A detectable signal, audible or visual, generated by an alarm
system, which is intended to elicit a response from the City.
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F. Alarm System: Any single device or assembly of equipment designed to
signal the occurrence of an illegal or unauthorized entry, or other illegal activity
requiring immediate attention, and to which law enforcement is requested to
respond by an alarm company, but does not include motor vehicle or boat alarms,
fire alarms, or alarms designated to elicit a medical response.
G. Alarm User: Any person, corporation, partnership, proprietorship,
government, or educational entity or any other entity owning, leasing, or
operating an alarm system, or on whose premises an alarm system is maintained
for the protection of such premises.
H. Alarm User Awareness Class: A class conducted for the purpose of
educating alarm users about the responsible use, operation, and maintenance of
alarm systems and the problems created by false alarms.
I. Automatic Dial Protection Device: An automatic dialing device or an
automatic telephone dialing alarm system that includes any system which, upon
being activated, automatically initiates to the Renton Police Department a
recorded message or code signal indicating a need for law enforcement response.
J. Cancellation: The process by which an alarm dispatch request response is
terminated when the alarm company (designated by the alarm user) notifies the
Renton Police Department that there is not an existing situation at the alarm site
requiring police response. If cancellation occurs prior to police arriving at the
scene, no fine will be assessed.
K. City: The City of Renton, Washington, or its designee.
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L. False Alarm:
1. A false alarm includes the following:
a. The activation of an alarm system through mechanical or electronic
failure; malfunction; improper installation; negligence of alarm user, his/her
employees or agents that either directly or through a third party/object summons
law enforcement personnel; and
b. Upon inspection by the Renton Police Department, evidence
indicates that no unauthorized entry, burglary, or other such crime was
committed or attempted in or on the premises which would have activated a
properly functioning alarm system.
2. A false alarm shall not include:
a. An alarm which can reasonably be determined to have been caused
by conditions of nature;
b. Other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to
control by the alarm user;
c. An alarm in which an alarm dispatch request response from the City
is cancelled by the user’s alarm company before the City arrives at the alarm
location; or
d. Intentional activation of the alarm system because of the
reasonable, but mistaken, belief that a crime is being or about to be committed.
M. Permit Year: A twelve (12)‐month period beginning on January 1st of each
year which the alarm permit is issued.
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N. Runaway Alarm: An alarm system that produces repeated alarm signals
that do not appear to be caused by separate human action or that produces three
(3) separate false alarm signals within a twenty‐four (24) hour period.
O. Verify: An attempt by the monitoring company, through telephone
verification, or its representative, to determine whether an alarm signal is valid
before requesting law enforcement dispatch, in an attempt to avoid an
unnecessary alarm dispatch request. Telephone verification means, at 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 identity themselves to determine
whether an alarm signal is valid before requesting law enforcement dispatch.
P. Violator: Any alarm user that violates any provisions under this chapter
including but not limited to any alarm user upon whose property a false alarm
occurs.
6‐3‐3 AUTHORITY; FUNDS:
A. Responsibility for administration of this chapter is vested with the Chief of
Police.
B. The Chief of Police shall designate an alarm administrator to carry out the
administrative duties and functions described in this chapter.
C. The Chief of Police has the authority to review and recommend to the City
Council false alarm fees set forth in the City of Renton Fee Schedule.
D. The Chief of Police has the authority to delegate the City’s rights and
responsibilities delineated by this chapter to a third party.
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6‐3‐4 ALARM PERMIT REQUIRED:
No person shall own, lease or operate an alarm system without first obtaining a
permit for such alarm system from the City. A separate alarm permit is required
for each alarm site. A fee is required for the initial alarm registration. No fee will
be charged for annual renewals. Each alarm permit shall be assigned a unique
permit number, and the alarm user or alarm company may be required to provide
the permit number to facilitate law enforcement dispatch and enforcement of this
chapter. Each alarm permit shall expire on December 31 of the year issued and
must be renewed annually by submitting an updated application to the City. A
late fee will be assessed if the renewal is more than thirty (30) days late. An alarm
permit cannot be transferred to another person or alarm site.
A. Application: Each alarm user has a duty to obtain an application from the
City and apply for each permit on a form provided by the City.
B. Transfer of Possession: When the occupancy or possession of the
premises at which an alarm system is maintained is transferred, the alarm user
obtaining possession of the property shall file an application for an alarm permit
within thirty (30) days of obtaining possession of the property. Alarm permits are
not transferable.
C. Reporting Updated Information: Whenever any information provided on
the alarm permit application changes, the alarm user shall provide correct
information to the City within thirty (30) days of the change.
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D. Multiple Alarm Systems: If an alarm user has one (1) or more alarm
systems protecting two (2) or more separate structures having different addresses
and/or tenants, a separate permit shall be required for each structure and/or
tenant.
E. Failure to Register, Renew, or Update Information: Failure to initially
obtain or renew a permit under this chapter or report any updated information
within thirty (30) days of change shall result in a fine as set forth in the City of
Renton Fee Schedule.
F. Unpermitted Alarm Signal: If an alarm signal is originated from the
property of an alarm user who does not possess a current permit and such signal
results in an alarm dispatch request, the alarm user shall pay a fine for failure to
register as described in RMC 6‐3‐4.E, in addition to any other applicable fines and
fees.
6‐3‐5 DUTIES OF AN ALARM USER:
A. Comply with all applicable provisions of this chapter;
B. Maintain the premises and the alarm system in a manner that will reduce
or eliminate false alarms;
C. Provide the permit number to the alarm company to facilitate dispatch;
D. Refrain from manually activating an alarm for any reason other than the
occurrence of an event that the alarm system was intended to report. An alarm
user must not manually initiate a False Alarm;
E. Obtain an alarm permit for each alarm system;
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F. Renew permit(s) annually;
G. Update the City with any changes to information contained on an alarm
permit application within thirty (30) days of the change.
H. Failure of alarm user to comply with the duties of this chapter may result
in a fine as set forth in the City of Renton Fee Schedule.
6‐3‐6 DUTIES OF AN ALARM COMPANY:
A. Any person engaged in the alarm business in the City shall comply with the
following:
1. Obtain and maintain the required state, county and/or city license(s).
2. Provide the City most current name, address, and telephone number
and other available information of the alarm user or a designee, who can be called
in an emergency, twenty‐four (24) hours a day, and contact a key holder or other
emergency contact who will be requested to respond immediately if necessary.
B. Ninety (90) days after enactment of this chapter, each alarm company
shall, on all new and upgraded installations, use only alarm control panels which
meet current industry standards.
C. Prior to activation of the alarm system, the alarm company must provide
to each alarm user:
1. Instructions explaining the proper operation of the alarm system; and
2. Written information of how to obtain service from the alarm company
for the alarm system.
D. Any alarm company doing business within the City of Renton shall:
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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, at 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, silent, duress or burglary and/or robbery‐in‐
progress alarm, or in cases where a crime‐in‐progress has been verified by video
and/or audible means.
2. Provide each address and alarm permit number to the communications
center to facilitate dispatch and/or cancellations.
3. Communicate any available information about the location of the
alarm.
4. Communicate a cancellation to the law enforcement communications
center as soon as possible following a determination that a response is
unnecessary.
E. Failure of an alarm company to comply with the duties under this chapter
may result in a fine as set forth in the City of Renton Fee Schedule.
6‐3‐7 VIOLATIONS:
A. It shall be a violation of this chapter:
1. For a false alarm to occur on an alarm user’s property;
2. To install, maintain, or use an audible alarm system which sounds
continually for more than fifteen (15) minutes;
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3. To install, maintain, or use an automatic dial protection device that
reports, or causes to be reported, any recorded message to the Renton Police
Department;
4. To fail to obtain a permit for an alarm system;
5. To fail to provide updated information to the City as described in this
chapter; or
6. To fail to comply with any other requirement of this chapter.
B. The alarm user will be responsible for violations under this chapter
whether or not the alarm user individually caused the violation to occur.
C. It shall be a violation of this chapter for an alarm company to violate any
requirements of this chapter.
D. Any violation of this chapter shall result in a fine, as determined by the City
of Renton Fee Schedule.
6‐3‐8 SUSPENSION OF RESPONSE:
A. The City may discontinue response of City emergency services if the City
determines that:
1. There is a false statement or omission of material fact made to the City
or contained in a permit application.
2. An alarm system meets the definition of a runaway alarm.
3. An alarm system has generated in excess of eight (8) false alarms
during any calendar year.
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4. The alarm user has failed to make payment of any fine or fee assessed
under this chapter within ninety (90) days of the assessment.
5. An alarm user commits any other violation of this chapter.
6‐3‐9 REINSTATEMENT OF RESPONSE:
A. The City may resume City emergency services response upon the alarm
user submitting satisfactory proof of compliance of one (1) or more of the
following:
1. Proof that the alarm system has been inspected and the measures
taken to ensure the alarm system is in good working order. Measures taken may
require the alarm user to repair, upgrade or modify the alarm system to be
compliant with this chapter.
2. Proof the alarm user has been retrained on the use of the alarm system
and procedures for contacting the alarm company in the case of false activation.
3. The alarm user successfully completes an online alarm user awareness
class and test.
4. All fees and fines are paid in full including a reinstatement fee as set
forth in the City of Renton Fee Schedule.
6‐3‐10 APPEALS PROCESS:
A. If the City assesses a fine, suspends, denies the issuance, renewal or
reinstatement of the alarm permit, the City or its designee shall send written
notice of the action and a statement of the right to an appeal to the aggrieved
party.
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B. Any party fined in accordance with this chapter may appeal an assessment
of a fine, a suspension of an alarm permit, or other enforcement action to the City
by mailing the appeal to the address as shown on the notice within fifteen (15)
days after receipt of the notice. The appeal must set forth in writing the reasons
for the appeal and any evidence that should be considered. The failure to give
notice of appeal within fifteen (15) days shall constitute a waiver of the right to
contest the violation(s) or enforcement action(s).
C. If a hearing is requested, written notice of the time, place, and manner of
the hearing shall be mailed to the address of the alarm user as contained in the
alarm permit, at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the hearing, which shall
be held no more than thirty (30) days after the request for hearing is filed.
D. The appeal shall be administered by the Chief of Police or his/her designee
(Hearing Officer). The alarm user and a representative of the Police Department
shall have the right to present written and/or oral evidence. If the Hearing Officer
determines, after the presentation of evidence, that any violations have occurred,
the Hearing Officer shall issue written findings and record the findings in the alarm
user’s record within thirty (30) days, and the fines shall be paid, including an
additional appeal fee. If the Hearing Officer determines that no violation has been
committed, the appeal fee and associated fine, if already paid, shall be refunded
within thirty (30) days, and no finding of violation may be entered on the alarm
user’s record.
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E. The appeal decision made by the Hearing Officer may be appealed to the
King County Superior Court within thirty (30) calendar days from the date the
decision is issued.
SECTION II. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or work of this
ordinance should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court or competent jurisdiction,
such invalidity or unconstitutionality thereof shall not affect the constitutionality of any other
section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or word of this ordinance.
SECTION III. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after
publication of a summary of this ordinance in the City’s official newspaper. The summary shall
consist of this ordinance’s title.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this _______ day of ___________________, 2018.
Jason A. Seth, City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this _______ day of _____________________, 2018.
Denis Law, Mayor
Approved as to form:
Shane Moloney, City Attorney
Date of Publication:
ORD:2006:6/20/18:scr
AGENDA ITEM #1. a)