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<baltimore-city-law heading="§ 8-1 Definitions.">
  <section prefix="§" num="8-1" heading="Definitions.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Alarm system.">
      <para num="(1)">“Alarm system” means a device or series of devices that emits, transmits, or relays:<para num="(i)">an audible, visual, or electronic alarm signal that is electronically programmed to cause contact with or summon police; or</para>
        <para num="(ii)">an audible or visual alarm signal that is intended to elicit a police response at the alarm system user’s property when activated.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">“Alarm system” does not include:<para num="(i)">telephone lines used to carry alarm signals; or</para>
        <para num="(ii)">any device installed in a vehicle, as defined in the Maryland Vehicle Law.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Commissioner.">“Commissioner” means the Housing Commissioner of Baltimore City or the Commissioner’s designee.</para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Contractor.">“Contractor” means any person engaged in the business of installing, maintaining, altering, inspecting, administering, selling, or servicing alarm systems.</para>
    <para num="(e)" heading="False alarm.">
      <para num="(1)">“False alarm” means any alarm system signal:<para num="(i)">that results in a police response to the user’s property; and</para>
        <para num="(ii)">for which no evidence is found, after reasonable investigation, of any criminal activity, property damage, or medical emergency that would justify a police response.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">“False alarm” does not include:<para num="(i)">an alarm signal that is cancelled by the monitor before a responding police officer arrives at the alarm location;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">an alarm signal that occurs within 30 days of the original installation of the alarm system; or</para>
        <para num="(iii)">an alarm signal from a medical alert device.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="(f)" heading="Hold-up alarm.">“Hold-up alarm” means a silent alarm system that is manually activated to signal a robbery in progress.</para>
    <para num="(g)" heading="Monitor.">“Monitor” means any person engaged in the business of monitoring alarm systems for the purpose of reporting an alarm system’s activation to the Police Department.</para>
    <para num="(h)" heading="Panic alarm.">“Panic alarm” means an alarm system that is activated by an individual on or near the premises to alert others that a robbery or other crime is in progress.</para>
    <para num="(i)" heading="User.">
      <para num="(1)">“User” means, except as specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection:<para num="(i)">the owner or lessee of any alarm system;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">the owner or lessee of any dwelling unit, place of business, or other premises that has been equipped with an alarm system; or</para>
        <para num="(iii)">any other person that uses an alarm system.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">“User” does not include:<para num="(i)">the owner or manager of a multi-tenant building with respect to any alarm system that is used solely by a tenant of that building; or</para>
        <para num="(ii)">a governmental entity or an instrumentality or unit of a governmental entity.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 00-069</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 02-329</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 12-061</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 22-125</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
