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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>86380</law_id><section_number>15.2-911</section_number><catch_line>Regulation of alarm company operators</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>44-102.1</reference><reference>59.1-207.48</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="15.2">Counties, Cities and Towns</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Powers of Local Government</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="9">General Powers of Local Governments</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">Public Health and Safety; Nuisances</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">locality</span> may by <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> regulate the installation and maintenance of <span class="dictionary">alarm systems</span> operated by <span class="dictionary">alarm company operators</span>. <a id="paragraph-309332" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-911/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> As used in this section:
			&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Alarm company operator</span>&#x201D; means and includes any business operated for profit, engaged in the installation, maintenance, alteration, or servicing of <span class="dictionary">alarm systems</span> or which responds to such <span class="dictionary">alarm systems</span>. Such term, however, shall not include <span class="dictionary">alarm systems</span> maintained by governmental agencies or departments, nor shall it include a business which merely sells from a fixed location or manufactures <span class="dictionary">alarm systems</span> unless such business services, installs, monitors or responds to <span class="dictionary">alarm systems</span> at the protected premises.
			&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Alarm system</span>&#x201D; means an assembly of equipment and devices arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to which police or firefighters are expected to respond. Such system may be installed, maintained, altered or serviced by an <span class="dictionary">alarm company operator</span> in both commercial and residential premises.
			&#x201C;<span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">Battery</span>-charged fence security system</span>&#x201D; means a system intended for security that includes a fence, a <span class="dictionary">battery</span>-operated energizer connected to the fence and designed to periodically deliver voltage impulses to the fence, a <span class="dictionary">battery</span>-charging device used exclusively to charge the <span class="dictionary">battery</span>, and any other ancillary components and attached equipment. &#x201C;<span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">Battery</span>-charged fence security system</span>&#x201D; does not include fencing engineered to exclude or contain deer or livestock. <a id="paragraph-309333" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-911/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> 1. Any <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">battery</span>-charged fence security system</span> shall (i) interface with a monitored alarm device in a manner that enables the system to transmit a signal intended to alert the owner or <span class="dictionary">law</span> enforcement; (ii) have an energizer powered by a commercial storage <span class="dictionary">battery</span> that provides not more than 12 volts of direct current and meets the standards set forth in the International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 60335-2-76; (iii) be located behind a nonelectric perimeter fence or wall that is at least five feet tall; (iv) be on property not zoned for residential use; (v) not be taller than 10 feet or two feet taller than the height of the perimeter fence or wall, whichever is taller; (vi) be marked with warning signs posted conspicuously on the fence at 30-foot intervals that state &#x201C;Warning &#x2013; Electric Fence&#x201D;; and (vii) include a mechanism that allows first responders to deactivate the system during an emergency. <a id="paragraph-309334" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-911/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> A <span class="dictionary">locality</span> may require: (i) a person who provides or operates a <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">battery</span>-charged fence security system</span> to comply with this subsection; (ii) a person who provides or operates a <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">battery</span>-charged fence security system</span> to comply with the ministerial requirements of an <span class="dictionary">alarm company operator</span>, including a permit or registration and payment of any accompanying fee, prior to providing or operating such <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">battery</span>-charged fence security system</span>; and (iii) an installer, on completion of a newly installed <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">battery</span>-charged fence security system</span>, to submit to the <span class="dictionary">locality</span> an <span class="dictionary">affidavit</span> that includes the address of the installation, name of the installer, date of the installation, and an affirmation that the criteria in this subsection are satisfied. <a id="paragraph-309335" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-911/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> A <span class="dictionary">locality</span> may inspect a newly installed <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">battery</span>-charged fence security system</span> after receipt of an <span class="dictionary">affidavit</span> to ensure the system meets the requirements of this subsection. If the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">battery</span>-charged fence security system</span> fails to comply with the criteria set forth in this subsection, the <span class="dictionary">locality</span> may <span class="dictionary">issue</span> a <span class="dictionary">citation</span> describing the specific noncompliance and requiring the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">battery</span>-charged fence security system</span> to come into compliance within a reasonable period of time. The <span class="dictionary">locality</span> may also impose a <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> not to exceed $500 for the first instance if the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">battery</span>-charged fence security system</span> is not made compliant within the specified period of time. <a id="paragraph-309336" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-911/#C3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> If a <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">battery</span>-charged fence security system</span> meets the requirements of subdivision 1, then a <span class="dictionary">locality</span> shall not establish or otherwise impose any product, installation, or operational requirements, fees, or approvals for a <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">battery</span>-charged fence security system</span> nor prohibit the use of such a system. <a id="paragraph-309337" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-911/#C4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1978, c. 587, &#xA7; 15.1-28.2; 1997, c. 587; 2022, cc. 43, 44.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
