§ 2-21-52. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alarm administrator means the sheriff's designee responsible for administering and enforcing this article.

Alarm monitoring company (monitoring company) means a person or entity performing or engaged in causing the service of monitoring as defined in Section 489.505(27), Florida Statues, as may be amended from time to time, and having alarm customers within the territorial jurisdiction of this article.

Alarm review authority means the sheriff or his designees.

Alarm site shall mean any building, structure, facility or premises, or portion thereof, wherein a separate or discrete alarm system is used, installed, or maintained.

Alarm system means any device that emits, transmits or relays a signal intended to summon, or that would reasonably be expected to summon, law enforcement services to the site of the alarm system. Alarm system does not include:

(a)

A device installed on a vehicle, unless the vehicle is permanently located at the site; or

(b)

A device designed to alert only the inhabitants of the device site, and that is not audible or visible from the exterior of the structure; or

(c)

A device designed for a purpose other than to alert for intrusion, burglary or robbery.

Alarm system contractor means a person licensed or required to be licensed under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, as an electrical or alarm system contractor, and having alarm customers or performing alarm-related work within the territorial jurisdiction of this article.

Alarm user means any person or entity that has contracted for monitoring, repair, installation or maintenance service from an alarm installation company or monitoring company for an alarm system, or that operates an alarm system which is not monitored, maintained or repaired under contract, or any person or entity in control of any building, structure, facility or premises, or portion thereof, containing an alarm system. The term includes condominium or homeowner associations, apartment buildings and other multifamily living units providing monitoring service via a master agreement to individual owners, residents, or tenants through any maintenance, rental, or other fee. The term does not include homebuilders engaged in prewiring homes or other structures for possible future use by subsequent owners, as long as said alarm systems are not operational.

Automated dialing device means an alarm system, which automatically sends, via telephone, radio, digital or other means of electronic or electrical communication a prerecorded voice message or other signal to the sheriff indicating the existence of an emergency situation.

Commercial premises means any structure or area, which is not defined in this section as governmental or residential premises, included but not limited to, religious and not for profit organizations, hotels, motels and educational institutions.

Deactivated alarm means an alarm system that has the primary and secondary power and the telephone line disconnected at the alarm control panel.

False alarm means the activation of an alarm system for any reason other than a bona fide incident, such as a burglary or unauthorized entry, and a subsequent response by the sheriff to or towards that alarm site. A false alarm does not include:

(a)

An alarm caused by physical damage to the alarm system as a result of lightning, wind, or other meteorological event, where there is clear evidence of physical damage to the alarm system; or

(b)

An alarm caused by disconnection of a telephone circuit beyond the control of the alarm user or his agents, verified by written communication from the telephone company; or

(c)

An alarm caused by continuous electrical power disruption in excess of four (4) hours.

Fine means an administrative penalty and fee for services due to failure to comply with the provisions of this article.

Governmental premises mean a structure or area owned and/or operated by a government entity.

MCSO means the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Permit year means the period starting from the date of the required first issuance of an alarm user permit, an alarm system contractor registration, or an alarm monitoring company registration, and ending twelve (12) months from said date of issuance.

Residential premises means any structure serving as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one person or by two (2) or more persons who maintain a common household.

Sheriff means the Manatee County Sheriff or his designee.

Sheriff's office means the designated authority charged with administration and enforcement of the Manatee County False Alarm Ordinance.

Verification means an attempt by the monitoring company, or its representative, to contact the alarm site and/or alarm user by telephone and/or other electronic means, whether or not actual contact with a person is made, to determine whether an alarm signal is valid before requesting law enforcement dispatch. Verification shall require, at a minimum, that a second call be made to a different telephone, cell phone, pager, or other communication device provided by the alarm user if the first attempt fails to reach an alarm user who can properly identify him or herself.

(Ord. No. 04-32, § 3, 2-3-04)