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A. Alarm Sites Must Be Registered.

1. An alarm user shall not operate, or cause to be operated, any alarm system without a valid alarm registration. A separate alarm registration is required for each alarm site having a distinct address or business name. A separate alarm registration is required for each alarm site with the same address having a distinct and separate alarm system (i.e., detached shops or garages on residential property). The initial alarm registration fee must be paid by the alarm user to the Alarm Administrator within 30 days after any alarm system installation or alarm system takeover.

2. Owners of local alarm systems or self-monitored alarm systems are required to adhere to all Sections of this Chapter and are subject to all fees, fines, suspensions, penalties, alarm confirmation and other requirements that are applicable.

3. Alarm Registration and Renewal Fees. The fees for an alarm registration or an alarm registration renewal are collected by the Alarm Administrator and are provided in Chapter 8.64 PCC. All reduced registration rates apply to residential alarm sites only.

In order to qualify for the senior rate, applicants must provide proof of age, be listed as the property owner or lessee and must have the alarm contract in their name.

In order to qualify as an individual with a permanent disability the individual must provide proof of permanent disability. Proof may be in the form of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Identification Card or documentation showing at least 30 percent permanent disability, a Washington Department of Licensing parking placard issued for permanent disability under RCW 46.16.381, or any other means that the Sheriff's Department deems an appropriate proof of permanent disability. In addition, the individual must be listed as the property owner or lessee and must have the alarm contract in their name. (See PCC 8.64.190, Fees and Fines Schedule.)

4. Late Fees. Alarm users who fail to obtain and/or make payment for an alarm registration or renewal within 60 days after notification shall be assessed a late fee. (See PCC 8.64.190, Fees and Fines Schedule.)

5. Refunds. No refund of a registration or registration renewal fee shall be made unless there has been an overpayment or the alarm user moves or cancels the alarm service within two months of alarm registration or alarm registration renewal.

6. Upon receipt of a completed alarm registration application form and the alarm registration fee, the Alarm Administrator shall issue a registration number or alarm registration renewal to the applicant unless:

a. The applicant has failed to pay a false alarm fee or fine assessed under this Chapter.

b. An alarm registration for the alarm site has been suspended, and the condition causing the suspension has not been corrected.

7. An alarm registration shall expire one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed annually by the alarm user. Renewal registrations are valid for one year.

The Alarm Administrator shall notify the alarm user of the need to renew their registration 30 days prior to the expiration of the registration. It is the responsibility of the alarm user to submit updated information and renewal fees prior to the registration expiration date. Failure to renew shall be classified as use of a non-registered alarm system and shall subject the alarm site to suspension and late fee and reinstatement fee. (See PCC 8.64.190, Fees and Fines Schedule.)

8. Registration Fee Exemptions. Government entities, including but not necessarily limited to County, State, Federal and Schools, must obtain alarm registrations for all alarm systems on property under their control within unincorporated Pierce County, but are exempt from payment of alarm registration and alarm renewal fees. All alarm registration fee exempted alarm sites are required to obtain and maintain a valid alarm registration for a Sheriff's Department response and are subject to all other fees, fines and suspension of enforcement, except when this action is prohibited by statute.

(Ord. 2019-72 § 2 (part), 2020)