(1) "Alarm system" means a system, device or mechanism that, when activated, transmits a message or signal to an alarm monitor, emits an audible or visible signal that can be heard or seen by persons outside the premises, or transmits a signal beyond the premises in some other fashion for the purpose of reporting a crime in progress or other emergency situation to the sheriff or other police agency.

(2) "Alarm user" means a person that owns, leases, or otherwise maintains possession or control over a premises protected by an alarm system.

(3) "Consecutive numbered response" means a sheriff dispatch to the premises of a false alarm when that dispatch has been preceded within the previous twelve months by a sheriff dispatch to a false alarm at the same premises.

(4) "False alarm" means the activation of an intrusion or panic alarm when no crime is being committed or attempted on the premises and no medical emergency exists, unless the alarm is activated by an unusual occurrence, action of a telephone company, or a power outage lasting longer than four hours. Any number of false alarms in a single twenty-four hour period shall be considered a single false alarm unless intentionally caused by any person.

(5) "First response" means a sheriff dispatch to the premises of a false alarm when that response has not been preceded within the previous twelve months by a sheriff dispatch to a false alarm at the same premises.

(6) "Intrusion alarm" means an alarm system designed to be activated automatically to warn of an unauthorized entry or other criminal act on or about a premises.

(7) "Panic alarm" means an alarm system designed to be activated manually to signal a medical emergency or the commission of an unlawful act on or about a premises.

(8) "Person" means any individual, partnership, firm, joint stock company, corporation, association, trust, estate, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or other legal entity.

(9) "Premises" means a building, dwelling, structure, or real property protected by an alarm, including an individual unit in a multiunit building or complex when the individual unit is served by a separate alarm, but not including any motor vehicle.

(10) "Service costs" means the current average cost to the county to respond to a call for service, including staff and dispatch service costs, as calculated by the sheriff and approved by council motion. Until such time as council has approved a different amount, services costs shall be equal to seventy-five dollars.

(11) "Sheriff" means the sheriff of Snohomish County or any duly appointed deputy sheriff of Snohomish County.

(12) "Unusual occurrence" means the extraordinary, sudden and unexpected manifestation of the forces of nature that cannot be prevented by reasonable human care, skill, or foresight. (Added by Ord. 84-035 § 1, Mar. 21, 1984; Amended by Amended Ord. 02-059, Nov. 20, 2002, Eff date Dec. 13, 2002).