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City of San Mateo Municipal Code.

15.26.020 DEFINITIONS.

As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) "Alarm system contractor" means a contractor who contracts with an owner, tenant, or lessee of premises to provide, maintain, repair, and/or disconnect alarm transmitting or receiving equipment.

(b) "Audible alarm system" means a system that produces an audible or visible signal at the point of origin.

(c) "Emergency" means an occasion that reasonably calls for a response by the City Police or Fire Departments. A response due to failure of the alarm system, personnel error in transmission or reporting of an alarm, or repair or maintenance of an alarm system is not an emergency.

(d) "False alarm" means an alarm signal necessitating response by the City Police or Fire Departments when an emergency does not exist. The Chief of Police or the Fire Chief, as applicable, or their designated representative shall determine whether an emergency did exist.

(e) "Nuisance alarm" means an alarm that has been emitting a sound continuously for at least two (2) hours or intermittently for at least three (3) hours, and has been reported to the Police Department, Fire Department, or City Communications Center as an annoyance in the vicinity of the alarm, and the owner, the occupant, the tenant, or the lessee of the premises or vehicle where the alarm is originating is not available or able to silence the alarm.

(f) "Remote alarm system" means a system that transmits a silent signal from a location to a remote processing center or other location for retransmission to the City.

(g) "Subscriber" means any person who has retained an alarm system contractor to provide alarm system services of some kind.