SECURITY ALARM SYSTEMS

Riverside Municipal Code tit. 5, ch. 5.58

in effect

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.010 Purpose.

5.58.010 - Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards and controls to reduce the incidents of false intrusion and robbery alarm calls responded to by the Police Department. The most effective alarm management is through user and alarm industry accountability. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.020 Definitions.

5.58.020 - Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply: Alarm Agent means any person who is self-employed or employed either directly or indirectly by an alarm business whose duties include any of the following: selling, maintaining, leasing, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing an alarm system in or on any building, place or premises. Alarm business means any person conducting or engaged in the business of selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving, installing, or monitoring an alarm system in or on any building, place or premises. Alarm monitoring company means a person in the business of providing monitoring services. Alarm system means any device designed for the detection of an unauthorized entry on premises or for alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act or both, and when activated, emits a sound or transmits a signal to indicate that an emergency situation exists. Alarm user means any person responsible for operating an alarm system at any premises in the City. Audible alarm means a device designed to emit an audible sound to alert others of an unauthorized entry onto a premises, an unauthorized entry into a structure or the commission of a burglary or robbery. Calendar year means January 1st through December 31st. Exceptioned alarm means the activation of an alarm resulting from earthquakes, high intensity winds, unusual acts of nature, general power outages. False alarm means the activation of an alarm resulting from human error, a system malfunction, improper installation of the alarm system, or design deficiencies causing an alarm business or reporting party to summon the police when no evidence of a criminal offense or attempted criminal offense is found. Non-compliance status means failure to achieve compliance with select elements of this chapter resulting in penalty assessments. Non-priority means that police response to the activation of an alarm will not be given precedence over other calls and will be predicated upon availability of police units and other service needs. (Ord. 7757, § 110, 2026; Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.030 Non-applicability.

5.58.030 - Non-applicability. The provisions of this chapter are not applicable to hand held/portable personal safety devices, medical alert devices, or audible alarms affixed to automobiles, unless the vehicle alarm is connected to a central monitoring system. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.040 Government immunity.

5.58.040 - Government immunity. Issuance of an alarm user's permit is not intended to, nor will it, create a contract, duty or obligation, either expressed or implied, of police response. Any alarm liability and consequential damage resulting from the failure to respond to an alarm is hereby disclaimed and governmental immunity as provided by law is retained. By applying for an alarm user's permit, the alarm user acknowledges that law enforcement response may be influenced by factors such as: the availability of police units, priority of calls, weather conditions, traffic conditions, emergency conditions, staffing levels and prior response history. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4537 § 1, 1978; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.050 Duties of alarm business, alarm agent, and alarm monitoring company.

5.58.050 - Duties of alarm business, alarm agent, and alarm monitoring company. The duties shall be as follows: A. To install an alarm or alarm system compatible with the environment within the perimeters of the alarm activating devices and be available to maintain the alarm system in good working order, and to take reasonable measures to prevent the occurrence of false alarms. B. To provide each purchaser and alarm user with a "summarized" copy of this chapter within 60 calendar days of the adoption of this chapter. The summarized copy to be written by the City. C. To provide new customers with a summarized copy of this chapter and the City's alarm user's permit application. D. To provide accurate and complete written and oral instruction to the alarm user in the proper use and operation of said alarm system. Specific emphasis shall be placed on the avoidance of false alarms. All businesses which sell alarm systems, but which are not an alarm business as defined in this article, are similarly responsible for providing written and oral instruction to the buyer of the alarm system in the proper use of said system. E. Upon the effective date of this chapter, monitoring companies must maintain for a period of at least One year from the date of the alarm dispatch request, records relating to alarm dispatch request. Records must include the name, address and telephone number of the alarm user, the alarm permit number, the alarm system zone(s) activated, the time of alarm dispatch request and evidence of an attempt to verify. The Police Department may request copies of such records for individually named alarm users. If the request is made within 60 days of an alarm dispatch request, the monitoring company shall furnish requested records within three business days of receiving the request. If the records are requested between 60 days to one year after an alarm dispatch request, the monitoring company shall furnish the requested records within 30 days of receiving the request. F. To provide client information to the Police Department in electronic format in the number and type of fields as required by the Riverside Police Department for all known locations where alarms are installed or monitored within the City of Riverside. Electronic templates must be obtained from the Riverside Police Department. Electronic client information shall be supplied to the Riverside Police Department within 30 calendar days of being requested. Electronic client information shall cover active alarm installations and/or active monitoring accounts. Information for subsequent electronic alarm installations or new monitoring accounts shall be provided on a monthly basis to the Riverside Police Department. Any alarm user found to be operating an alarm system without an alarm user's permit and not appearing in the client information received from the alarm business is not in compliance with this chapter for supplying alarm user's permit information to the Riverside Police Department as required by Section 5.58.050 of this chapter. The Riverside Police Department will request the required information directly from the alarm user. The alarm user will continue in a non-permitted status, which is subject to additional false alarm response penalties, until such time that an alarm user's permit is issued. G. Verification of an alarm is to make a minimum of two attempts to contact the alarm user by telephonic or other electronic means, whether or not actual contact with a person is made, before requesting a police dispatch, in an attempt to avoid an unnecessary alarm dispatch request. The two attempts must be made to different phone numbers where a responsible party can typically be reached. H. At the time of installation or service of any monitored alarm system confirm that the alarm user has readily available the 24-hour phone number for the central monitoring station. I. An alarm business performing or contracting monitoring services shall have written procedures to ensure efforts are made to verify every alarm signal, except duress, or robbery alarm activation before requesting a police response to an alarm signal. J. Non-compliance by the alarm business will result in a non-compliance status and penalties as established by resolution of the City Council of City. (Ord. 7757, § 111, 2026; Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.060 Alarm business registration.

5.58.060 - Alarm business registration. It is unlawful for any person to own, manage, conduct or carry on the business of selling, leasing, installing, servicing, maintaining, repairing, replacing, moving, removing and monitoring an alarm system in or on any building, place or premises within the City without first having registered with the Police Department; provided, however, such registration shall not be required for any business which only sells or leases said alarm systems from a fixed location unless such business services, installs, monitors or responds to alarm systems at the protected premises. Registration shall be accomplished by furnishing such information as may be required by the Police Department, including but not limited to the full name of the business, the number of the license issued by the State Director of Consumer Affairs for the alarm business, City of Riverside Business Tax Certificate, and the name and business address of the manager of operations for the area which includes the City. If any alarm business fails to register within 30 calendar days, it will be placed in a non-compliance status, the Police Department will notify that business' customers in writing of the company's non-compliance status and provide a copy of the Security Alarm Ordinance Summary. Non-compliance by the alarm business shall result in penalties as established by resolution of the City Council of City. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4537 § 3, 1978; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.070 Alarm agent registration required.

5.58.070 - Alarm agent registration required. It is unlawful for any person, including the owner of an alarm business, to engage directly in the selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing of an alarm system in or on any building, place or premises within the City without first having registered and filed with the Police Department a copy of the alarm agent registration card issued to such person by the State Director of Consumer Affairs pursuant to the provisions of Section 7598.14 of the California Business and Professions Code; provided, however, nothing in this section shall require a person to so register in order to install, service, repair, alter, replace or move an alarm system on the premises owned or occupied by that person; and further provided, nothing in this chapter shall require a person to so register who is merely a salesperson for any business not required to register as an alarm business under the provisions of Section 5.58.060, if such salesperson does not engage in any other activities related to alarm systems apart from selling. Within 30 calendar days of any alarm agent being placed in a non-compliant status, the Police Department will notify that agent's customers in writing of the agent's non-compliance status and provide a copy of the Security Alarm Ordinance Summary. Non-compliance by the alarm agent shall result in penalties as established by resolution of the City Council of City. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4537 § 4, 1978; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.080 Notification of change.

5.58.080 - Notification of change. Any alarm business registered with the Police Department shall immediately report to the Police Department any change of name, address, ownership of the business, or the address of the manager of operations for the area which includes the City. Any person registered with the Police Department as an alarm agent shall immediately report to the Police Department any change of address. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.090 Alarm user's permit.

5.58.090 - Alarm user's permit. No person shall install or cause to be installed, use, maintain or possess an alarm system on premises owned or in the possession or control of such person within the city without first having obtained an alarm user's permit from the Police Department of the City in accordance with this section. The application for an alarm user's permit shall be submitted on a form as prescribed by the Police Department and shall include the address of the premises wherein the alarm system is to be located; the name, address and telephone number of the applicant; the name, address and telephone number of additional persons who may be contacted in case of an emergency; and the name, address and telephone number of the alarm business who will render service. If requested by the Police Department, the person(s) listed shall be required to be present at the alarm location within 45 minutes after being advised that the Police Department has received any signal or message of an alarm activation. The application shall be accompanied by a non-refundable fee in such amount as may be established by resolution of the City Council of City. A separate alarm user's permit shall be required for each premises or address on which an alarm system is used or installed. alarm user's permits shall not be transferable. A new alarm user's permit shall be issued when a business/residence changes its name, ownership, or location. No alarm user's permit shall be issued until all alarm user's permit fees and false alarm response penalty assessments due and owing are paid. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.100 Correction of information.

5.58.100 - Correction of information. Whenever any change occurs relating to the written information required by Section 5.58.090 of this chapter, the permittee shall give written notice of such change to the Police Department within five calendar days. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.110 Contesting false alarm response reports.

5.58.110 - Contesting false alarm response reports. Following police response to the activation of an alarm which investigation by the Police Department determines to be false and upon notification of said fact by the Police Department, the alarm user shall notify the Police Department and file a Police report with the Police Department within 72 hours if they have reason to believe the false alarm response report was issued in error. Such report shall contain all information pertaining to the crime that occurred. If a crime did not occur, the alarm user may submit a written letter providing the details of the alarm activation to the Riverside Police Department. The Police Department shall not consider any valid or exceptioned alarms in the computation of nuisance alarms as described in Section 5.58.170. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4537 § 5, 1978; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.120 Nuisance alarm signal.

5.58.120 - Nuisance alarm signal. Audible alarms which have emitted an alarm signal in excess of 30 minutes, are declared nuisances, and the Police Department may cause such alarm to be disconnected by a registered alarm agent, with the cost thereof to be a charge payable by the alarm user. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.130 Monitoring services.

5.58.130 - Monitoring services. Every alarm business which monitors an alarm system located within the City shall maintain on file a current listing of all such alarm systems including the alarm user's permit number and the name, address and telephone number of the individual or individuals from whom entry to premises may be obtained. Said information shall be available to the Police Department upon request of any authorized representative thereof. The alarm user's permit number assigned to an alarm system by the Police Department shall be given to the police/fire dispatcher at the time an alarm is reported to the police/fire communications center by an alarm company, a central monitoring station, a telephone answering service or any other business that monitors and reports alarms. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.140 Alarm agents—Registration in possession.

5.58.140 - Alarm agents—Registration in possession. Every person engaged in installing, repairing, servicing, altering, replacing, moving or removing an alarm system as defined in this chapter on any premises within the City, other than those owned or occupied by said person, shall carry a valid state alarm agent registration card at all times while so engaged and shall display such card to any police officer upon request. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.150 Telephone device prohibited.

5.58.150 - Telephone device prohibited. No person shall use or cause to be used any telephone device or telephone attachment that automatically selects a public telephone trunk line to the Riverside Police Department and then reproduces any pre-recorded message to report any burglary or other emergency. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.160 Use of panic button.

5.58.160 - Use of panic button. A burglary or robbery panic button shall only be used when there is a threat to life or property. It shall be unlawful to use such panic button to merely summon the police. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5947 § 1, 1991; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.170 Nuisance alarms.

5.58.170 - Nuisance alarms. The Police Department may declare an alarm system at a specific location to be a nuisance if such alarm system activates excessive false alarms. The City Council hereby finds and determines that three false alarms within a calendar year is excessive and thereby constitutes a public nuisance. The Police Department shall not consider any false alarm in this computation of nuisance alarms if such was generated by earthquakes, high intensity winds, unusual acts of nature, or general power outages. Nuisance alarms shall be considered that are the result of the negligence of the alarm user, the agents or employees of the alarm user or a defect in the alarm system. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.180 False Alarm Response Penalties.

5.58.180 - False Alarm Response Penalties. A. A false alarm response penalty shall be paid to the City Manager-Finance Division upon the occurrence of three false alarms received from any one source or from any one alarm system within a calendar year. Non-permitted locations shall pay a false alarm penalty to the City Manager-Finance Division upon the second occurrence of a false alarm response. The false alarm response penalties shall be in such amounts as established by resolution of the City Council of City. A higher false alarm response penalty may be established for each additional false alarm within a calendar year and for alarms in a non-permitted status. B. Penalties established and/or levied by this section shall be paid to the City Manager-Finance Division within 30 calendar days from the date of the invoice rendered for said penalties by the holder of the alarm user's permit or the owner of the premises upon which the subject alarm system is located if no alarm user's permit has been issued for such alarm system. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 6054 § 1, 1993; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.190 Penalties assessed.

5.58.190 - Penalties assessed. A. No penalty shall be assessed for the first two false alarms from an alarm system during a calendar year. Thereafter, the alarm user shall pay a penalty as established by resolution of the City Council of City for each subsequent false alarm from the same alarm system during a calendar year. B. Any person operating a non-permitted alarm system will first receive a written warning of the violation. Thereafter, any person operating a non-permitted alarm system will be subject to a non-permitted status penalty as established by resolution of the City Council of City. A non-permitted alarm system includes an alarm system for which an alarm user's permit has not been obtained or for which an alarm user's permit has been revoked. C. If cancellation occurs prior to the police officer arriving at the scene, the Police Department may determine that the cancellation will not be counted as a false alarm for the purpose of assessing penalties. D. The alarm installation company will be subject to a penalty as established by resolution of the City Council of City if the officer responding to the false alarm determines that an on-site employee of the alarm installation company directly caused the false alarm. In this situation, the false alarm will not be counted against the alarm user. E. The alarm monitoring company will be subject to a penalty established by resolution of the City Council of City for each failure to verify alarm system signals as specified in Section 5.58.050 paragraph "G" of this ordinance. F. The provisions of paragraphs A and B herein shall not apply to facilities occupied or operated by the state, county, school districts, or other local public agency. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.200 Appeals.

5.58.200 - Appeals. If the Police Department assesses a penalty, the Police Department shall send written notice of the action and a statement of the right to an appeal to the affected person or alarm user. Appeals shall be heard by the City Manager or his designee. The decision of the City Manager or designee shall be final. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.210 Revocation of alarm user's permit.

5.58.210 - Revocation of alarm user's permit. A. After the fifth false alarm within a calendar year, the Police Department may serve the permittee with a notice of intention to revoke the alarm user's permit unless all fines due are submitted to the City of Riverside, City Manager-Finance Division pursuant to Section 5.58.190 and written proof from a licensed alarm business that the said alarm system has been completely evaluated and the causes of the false alarms located and corrected is provided to the Police Department. The notice of intention to revoke shall state the reason or reasons for such revocation and shall set forth the procedure to appeal the proposed revocation. Service of the notice of intention to revoke shall be deemed made immediately upon personal service on the permittee or 72 hours after the notice has been deposited with postage prepaid in the United States mail sent to the last known address of the permittee. B. The revocation shall be effective the 16th calendar day after the service of the notice of intention to revoke unless an appeal is timely filed. The notice of intention to revoke may be appealed to the City Manager or designee provided that a notice of appeal has been filed with the City Manager's office no later than the 15th calendar day after service on the permittee of the notice of intent to revoke. The City Manager or designee shall set the matter for a hearing, which hearing shall be within 30 calendar days after receipt of the notice of appeal or such longer period as may be agreed to by the permittee. The City Manager or designee shall render a written decision on the appeal within ten calendar days following the close of the hearing. Notice of the decision of the City Manager or designee shall be deemed served upon personal service on the permittee or 72 hours after notice has been deposited with postage prepaid in the United States mail sent to the last known address of permittee. The decision of the City Manager or designee to affirm the intent to revoke is final, such revocation shall be effective the 11th calendar day after the service of the decision upon permittee. C. Responses to the alarm system subject to the revocation proceedings as hereinabove set forth shall be made by the Police Department in accordance with its usual procedures until such time as the revocation of the alarm user's permit is effective. Immediately after the notice of intention to revoke issued by the Police Department, or the decision of the City Manager or designee affirming the intention to revoke following an appeal, is effective and the alarm user's permit is revoked, the alarm system shall receive Non-priority response from the Police Department. false alarm response penalties will be assessed as non-permitted alarms in accordance with Section 5.58.190. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.220 Additional revocations.

5.58.220 - Additional revocations. An alarm user's permit may be suspended or revoked by the Police Department for any of the additional reasons: A. Failure to observe any of the administrative requirements or other regulatory provisions of this chapter. B. If knowingly false representations were made upon any applications or notice of change required by the provisions of this chapter. C. If the permittee has failed to pay any fees and/or penalties required by this Code. (Ord. 7757, § 112, 2026; Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008; Ord. 5934 § 1, 1991; Ord. 5258 § 6, 1985; Ord. 4458 § 1 (part), 1977)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.230 Effective period of revoked permits.

5.58.230 - Effective period of revoked permits. After the revocation, no new alarm user's permit may be issued to the alarm user or the property owner until all fees and penalties due are submitted to the City Manager-Finance Division pursuant to Section 5.58.190 and written proof from a licensed alarm business that the said alarm system has been completely evaluated and the causes of the false alarms located and corrected is provided to the Police Department. Approval of the verification shall be the responsibility of the Police Chief or his/her designee. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.240 Reissued alarm user's permit penalty.

5.58.240 - Reissued alarm user's permit penalty. A penalty shall be levied upon the reissuing of an alarm user's permit after the alarm user's permit has been revoked. The alarm user shall be subject to a penalty as established by resolution of the City Council of City for the reissued alarm user's permit. (Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.250 Enforcement.

5.58.250 - Enforcement. Violation of this chapter is subject to the assessment of administrative civil penalties in accordance with Section 1.17.210 of this Code. Revocation of an alarm user's permit shall not be a defense against assessment of administrative civil penalties. The assessment of administrative civil penalties of any person for violation of the provisions of this chapter or for failing to secure an alarm user's permit as required by this chapter shall not relieve such person from paying the alarm user's permit fee due and unpaid at the time of such assessment. The amount of any alarm user's permit fee, false alarm response penalty, or alarm business penalty shall be deemed a debt to the City. An action may be commenced in the name of the City in any court of competent jurisdiction for the amount of any delinquent alarm user's permit fee, unpaid false alarm response penalty, or alarm business penalty. All fees and penalties shall be deemed delinquent 30 calendar days after they are due and payable. (Ord. 7757, § 113, 2026; Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008)

Riverside Municipal Code § 5.58.260 Operative dates.

5.58.260 - Operative dates. A. The provisions of this chapter shall become operative 60 days after the effective date of this chapter for persons conducting an alarm business or engaged as an alarm agent within the City on the effective date. However, any person who has filed an application as required herein for an alarm business permit may continue doing business after the operative date until the application has been processed. B. The provisions of this chapter relating to alarm user permits and false alarm penalties shall become operative 60 days after the effective date of this chapter for any alarm user whose alarm system was installed or in operation prior to the effective date of this chapter. (Ord. 7757, § 114, 2026; Ord. 6978 § 1, 2008)

Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT5BU_CH5.58SEALSYFetched: 11/1/2026