TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Jaime Boscarino, Finance Director
DATE:April 29, 2025
SUBJECT: False Alarm Ordinance Update
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Read ordinance in title only, waive further reading, and if no objection, introduce ordinance to amend Thousand Oaks Municipal Code (TOMC) sections 5-13.01 through Section 5-13.06 regarding false alarms, to modernize definitions, improve enforcement mechanisms, and align fines and penalties with the City’s Master Fee Resolution.
2. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Minimal staff time to prepare staff report and False Alarm Ordinance update is included in the Adopted FY 2024-25 General Fund Budget.
BACKGROUND:
The City adopted Ordinance No. 918-NS for False Alarms in 1986 to reduce the number of false alarm calls and ensure that police resources are used effectively.
False alarms occur when a system is triggered with no actual emergency, often due to user error, poor maintenance, or equipment malfunction. These calls can lead to a law enforcement response, even when no threat is present, which can delay response to real emergencies.
False Alarm Ordinance Amendment
April 29, 2025
Over time, alarm technology and public safety practices have changed. The current ordinance does not reflect these changes, nor does it provide modern tools for enforcement or education. The amended ordinance (Attachment #1) is intended to clarify expectations, streamline administration, and improve the City’s ability to address repeat false alarm incidents leading to more effective use of police resources.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The revised ordinance updates TOMC Sections 5-13.01 through 5-13.06 to better reflect current technology, improve administrative flexibility, and enhance the City’s ability to manage and reduce false alarm activity.
Definitions are proposed to be modernized and clarified related to alarm systems, particularly distinguishing between residential and commercial properties. This clarification supports accurate reporting, appropriate enforcement, and clarifies coordination requirements for alarm users and monitoring companies for improved compliance.
In addition, the revised ordinance requires that alarm calls be classified by property type (residential or commercial/business) at the time of police response. This small but important change improves tracking, helps identify trends in false alarm activity, and allows for more targeted outreach to properties with repeated incidents.
To improve consistency across City programs and reduce the need for future code amendments, the revised ordinance eliminates fixed amounts or structures for fines, penalties, or collection fees. Instead, all charges related to false alarms will be determined through the City’s Master Fee Resolution, which is reviewed and adopted by City Council every two years. This approach aligns with how other City fees are managed and provides the flexibility to adjust charges as needed without modifying the ordinance.
The revised ordinance also includes language allowing the City to offer optional alarm permit registration in the future. A registration program was piloted starting July 1, 2023, but has failed to yield meaningful benefits. Including the optional language in the ordinance allows the City to revisit registration at a later time if it can be incorporated into a broader compliance or incentive-based strategy.
Lastly, the proposed ordinance authorizes the Finance Director, in their discretion, to develop and administer a voluntary Alarm Educational Program, including the authority to waive fines. This program would give users an opportunity to complete basic training after a false alarm incident and potentially receive a reduction in fines. The goal is to shift toward education-first enforcement, helping users better understand how to prevent false alarms and reduce repeat incidents.
False Alarm Ordinance Amendment
April 29, 2025
These combined updates are designed to promote effective alarm system use, reduce unnecessary calls for emergency services, and preserve police response capacity for true emergencies.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
D. Maintain strong commitment to public safety (including Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and Emergency Management) to ensure City remains one of the safest Cities in the United States with a population over 100,000.
PREPARED BY: Tara Tosatto, Revenue Operations Manager
Attachment:
Attachment #1 – False Alarm Ordinance
FIN: 330-10\tt\ H:\COMMON\Council\2025\Public Services\042925 False Alarm Staff Report.docx