“Alarm” or “alarm system” means any instrument(s) or other device(s) that is used to protect buildings, premises or persons from criminal acts or unauthorized entries by warning of a crime or unauthorized entry through the emission or transmission of a sound or signal and to which the sheriff is expected or may respond or to which the sheriff may be contacted to respond.

    “Alarm administrator” means the individual designated by the sheriff to administer compliance and enforcement of this chapter.

    “Alarm business” means any person that, either directly or through a third party, engages in the business of providing alarm or alarm system monitoring services or that engages in the business of selling, leasing, renting, maintaining or installing alarms or alarm systems or services.

    “Alarm user” means any person who uses an alarm or alarm system or who leases or rents an alarm or alarm system or who contracts with an alarm business for alarm or alarm system monitoring, repair or maintenance services. For purposes of this chapter, the owner of the property where the alarm system is being used or is located shall be deemed the “alarm user” under this chapter where the alarm user is otherwise not known or cannot otherwise be reasonably identified.

    “Appeal hearing officer” means the person designated by the sheriff to conduct the appeal hearing if requested pursuant to this chapter. That person shall be in a different division than the division of the alarm administrator and shall not have any supervisory duties over nor be subordinate to the alarm administrator. That person shall be of a higher rank than the hearing officer.

    “Audible alarm” means an alarm or alarm system which when activated generates a sound capable of being heard within the premises or in the immediate vicinity thereof.

    “False alarm dispatch” means an alarm dispatch request to the sheriff when the responding officer finds no evidence of a criminal offense or attempted criminal offense after having completed a timely investigation of the alarm site.

    “False alarm reduction training class” means a class provided by the sheriff to educate or train on the proper and effective use of an alarm or alarm system and/or to eliminate or reduce the incidence of false alarm dispatches.

    “Hearing officer” means the person designated by the sheriff to conduct the initial hearing if requested pursuant to this chapter. That person shall be in a different division than the division of the alarm administrator and shall not have any supervisory duties over nor be subordinate to the alarm administrator.

    “Person” means any individual, firm, company, association, organization, partnership, corporation or other business entity or government agency.

    “Premises” means any privately or publicly owned property or structure(s) located within the unincorporated area of Alameda County.

    “Shall” means always mandatory and not discretionary.

    “Sheriff” means the sheriff of Alameda County or the sheriff’ s designee.

    “Twelve-month period” means the period of time commencing upon the occurrence of a first false alarm dispatch, and terminating twelve (12) consecutive months thereafter. (Ord. 2005-35 § 2 (part))