Draft chapter 38: Alarm Systems and False Alarms
§ 38.02 Definitions
The 2026 draft's § 38.02 beside the current code's § 38.02: removed words are struck through, added words underlined.
Comparison with a draft: not adopted. The archive holds no public hearing, ordinance or vote adopting the recodified Code through the October 20, 2026 meeting packet. Until one is adopted, every page here compares the consolidated code with a draft that can still change: the revised draft with the October 6 changes is not in the archive.
A comparison with the August 2026 draft recodification prepared by Iowa Codification for the City. The draft has not been adopted and can still change; the current code (unofficial compilation) governs until a recodified Code is adopted. Matches between sections are made by machine from the texts and are reviewed where uncertain.
Wording changed minor wording (97% same words)
What changed
1. “Alarm system” means any assembly of equipment, mechanical or electrical, and including all forms of audible exterior and interior alarms arranged to signal the occurrence of an illegal entry, fire emergency
2. “False alarm” means
A. Error or Mistake. Any action by any person owning or operating any dwelling, building or place, or any action by an agent or employee of said person which results in the activation of an alarm system when no emergency exists.
B. Malfunction. Any unintentional activation of any alarm system caused by mechanical malfunction, flaw in the design,
C. Intentional Misuse. Any intentional activation of an alarm system when no burglary, hold-up,
3. “Owner” means any person, firm, corporation, or entity who owns the premise in which an alarm system is installed or the person who leases, operates,
Word-level comparison of the current text with the draft's; spacing and paragraph breaks come from the documents' text. Footnotes are left out.
Current code
§ 38.02 Definitions
1. “Alarm system” means any assembly of equipment, mechanical or electrical, and including all forms of audible exterior and interior alarms arranged to signal the occurrence of an illegal entry, fire emergency and/or medical or other activity, requiring urgent attention, and to which Deputies, firefighters and EMS technicians are expected to respond. The term “alarm system” shall not include personal medical alert devices.
2. “False alarm” means a false alarm is any alarm that is activated on purpose or by accident or by system malfunction when there is no intrusion, fire, smoke or medical emergency. The City shall have the full authority to determine those situations and/or circumstances that may constitute a false alarm, but which are not defined below.
A. Error or Mistake. Any action by any person owning or operating any dwelling, building or place, or any action by an agent or employee of said person which results in the activation of an alarm system when no emergency exists.
B. Malfunction. Any unintentional activation of any alarm system caused by mechanical malfunction, flaw in the design, installation or maintenance of the system.
C. Intentional Misuse. Any intentional activation of an alarm system when no burglary, hold-up, fire or other emergency exists or is in progress.
3. “Owner” means any person, firm, corporation, or entity who owns the premise in which an alarm system is installed or the person who leases, operates, occupies or manages the premises within the City.
2026 draft
§ 38.02 Definitions
For purposes of this chapter the following terms are defined:
1. “Alarm system” means any assembly of equipment, mechanical or electrical, and including all forms of audible exterior and interior alarms arranged to signal the occurrence of an illegal entry, fire emergency or medical or other activity, requiring urgent attention, and to which deputies, firefighters and EMS technicians are expected to respond. The term “alarm system” shall not include personal medical alert devices.
2. “False alarm” means any alarm that is activated on purpose or by accident or by system malfunction when there is no intrusion, fire, smoke, or medical emergency. The City shall have the full authority to determine those situations or circumstances that may constitute a false alarm, but which are not defined below.
A. Error or Mistake. Any action by any person owning or operating any dwelling, building or place, or any action by an agent or employee of said person which results in the activation of an alarm system when no emergency exists.
B. Malfunction. Any unintentional activation of any alarm system caused by mechanical malfunction, flaw in the design, installation, or maintenance of the system.
C. Intentional Misuse. Any intentional activation of an alarm system when no burglary, hold-up, fire, or other emergency exists or is in progress.
3. “Owner” means any person, firm, corporation, or entity who owns the premise in which an alarm system is installed or the person who leases, operates, occupies, or manages the premises within the City.
Back to draft chapter 38 · All changes
Data last updated October 23, 2026. Built from the archive's documents; see how the data is built.