Chesterfield County Police Department

False Alarm Ordinance

Major Points of the Alarm Ordinance

False Alarm - any communication generated by or as a result of an alarm system that results in a response by police personnel and which upon investigation reveals no evidence or indication of criminal activity or other hazard. False alarms shall include negligently or accidentally activated signals; signals which are the results of faulty, malfunctioning or improperly installed or maintained equipment; signals which are purposely activated to summon the police in non-emergency situations; and alarms for which the actual cause is not determined. False alarms shall not include signals activated by weather conditions or other causes which are identified and determined by the Chief of Police to be beyond the control of the owner.

False Alarm Charges - there are no charges for the first two alarms within a calendar year; however, the following charges will be applicable for the third and subsequent alarms:

a. Third false alarm ($50.00)
b. Fourth false alarm ($75.00)
c. Fifth false alarm ($100.00)
d. Six and each thereafter within a calendar year ($125.00)

Permit Requirements - Alarm Systems - operating prior to January 1, 1994 are required to have a permit within ninety (90) days from the effective date of the ordinance. Alarm systems installed as of January 1, 1994 are required to have a permit within thirty (30) days of the installation date. A $25 charge will be assessed to any owner or tenant who fails to meet one of the above two permit requirements.

Service Charge and Penalty - if assessed, charges must be paid before required permit will be issued. If the permit required is not obtained within thirty (30) days after notification by the Chief of Police of such requirement and continued operation of the alarm system by the owner or tenant occurs, it shall constitute a class 4 misdemeanor carrying a penalty of up to $250.

Changes - any changes in the permit information must be reported within ten (10) days of the change to 804-748-1251.

Failure to Respond - $100 service charge if owner or tenant or designee fails to arrive at premises within one (1) hour of being notified by the police to respond in connection with an alarm activation.

Failure to Silence - $100 service charge if owner or tenant or designee fails to silence audible signal, loud enough to be heard by any person outside the property, within thirty (30) minutes of being notified by the Police to respond.

Revocations - failure to pay any service charges within thirty (30) days shall constitute grounds for revocation of an alarm system permit by the Chief of Police. A late payment penalty of ten percent (10 %) or ten dollars ($10.00), whichever is greater, shall be added to the account upon referral to the county debt collection division. Interest upon the principal amount due and penalty will accrue at the rate of ten percent (10 %) annually from the first day of the month following the day the account is referred to the debt collection division. Continued operation after revocation shall constitute a class 4 misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum fine of $250.00.

Reinstatement - to reinstate a revoked alarm permit; payment of all amounts owing.

Appeals - a letter to the Chief of Police must be submitted within ten (10) days of receiving the service fee bill. (Send to: Chesterfield County Police Department, P.O. Box 148, Chesterfield, VA 23832, ATTN: Chief of Police) This letter must contain name, address and telephone number, the reasons for disputing the fee, and any other written evidence which might justify a change in the assessment. The chief shall consider the evidence and render a written decision within ten (10) days of his receipt of the appeal request, unless an extension has been agreed upon by both parties. The Chief of Police can waive, rescind in whole or in part, a service fee if he believes that there is insufficient evidence to fully support the imposition of said service fee.

Automated Dialing Device - it shall be unlawful for any automated dialing device or system to call, or in any other manner make direct contact, with the county's enhanced 911 emergency telephone system. All automated dialing services shall be required to connect to an emergency seven digit number designated by the county (804-748-3593) to the alarm user at the time of permit application. A violation of this section shall constitute a class 1 misdemeanor which shall be punishable by fine or imprisonment as set forth by state law.

Alarm System - any assembly of equipment or a device designed to detect and signal an unauthorized intrusion, attempted burglary, robbery, other criminal activity or hazard at the protected premises. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "Alarm System" refers to all systems which are designed to attract the attention and response of county police, including alarm bells, horns, siren and lights, which are either audible or visible beyond the lot lines of the protected premises. Does not include vehicle alarm or fire alarm systems.

Note: This information is provided for general information regarding the County's Alarm Ordinance. Specific provisions of the Alarm Ordinance are set forth in Chapter 15, Article I. Alarm Systems.