§ 24-238. False fire alarms prohibited; false alarm user fee.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for a fire alarm system user to control or possess an alarm system which generates, transmits or issues a false alarm as defined in this section.

(b)

It is unlawful for any person to knowingly activate a fire alarm system for the purpose of summoning the Fire Department except if such person knows or suspects that there is an actual fire or related emergency as defined in section 12-60.

(c)

Any fire alarm user who has one or more false alarms within a calendar year at a single alarm site will be assessed user fees according to the following user fee schedule:

(1)

First false alarm: no charge.

(2)

Second false alarm: $25.00 user fee per false alarm.

(3)

Third and fourth false alarm: $100.00 user fee per false alarm.

(4)

Fifth and sixth false alarm: $200.00 user fee per false alarm.

(5)

Seventh and eighth false alarm: $300.00 user fee per false alarm.

(6)

Ninth and tenth false alarm: $500.00 user fee per false alarm.

(7)

More than ten false alarms: $1,000.00 user fee per false alarm.

(d)

The Fire Alarm Administrator shall notify the fire alarm user in writing of each instance wherein the Fire Department has recorded a false alarm. The fire alarm user shall have the opportunity within 15 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to submit a report to the Fire Alarm Administrator or request to meet with the Fire Alarm Administrator for the purpose of showing cause as to whether circumstances exist to warrant voiding the false alarm recordations. The Fire Alarm Administrator shall review the fire alarm user's report and/or meet with the fire alarm user and issue a written finding to the fire alarm user as to whether or not the false alarm recordations will be voided. The finding of the Fire Alarm Administrator shall be final.

(e)

All user fees are due and payable to the village upon notice to the fire alarm user. If the fire alarm user has submitted a report or requested a meeting in accordance with subsection (d) of this section and the Fire Alarm Administrator finds no cause for voiding the false alarm, the user fees are due and payable to the village seven days from the date of the Fire Alarm Administrator's written findings on the false alarms.

(Code 1993, § 5-7.2; Ord. No. 2009-O-84, 12-8-2009)