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City of San Mateo Municipal Code.

15.26.030 AUDIBLE ALARM SIGNALS.

No person shall use or install any local or audible alarm system that upon activation emits a sound similar to that emitted by sirens in use on any emergency vehicle.

(a) No person shall use or install any local or audible alarm system that upon activation emits a sound similar to that emitted by sirens in use on any emergency vehicle except that such may be used inside a building when the sound cannot be heard outside the building.

(b) It is unlawful to operate an audible alarm system that does not shut off within a maximum time of 15 minutes from the time of activation. Shut off within this time may be accomplished by either an automatic shut off or by manual operation. If the alarm has an automatic shut off with a rearming phase, the rearming phase must be able to distinguish between an open and closed circuit, and shall not rearm if the circuit is broken.

(c) It is unlawful to operate an audible alarm system affixed to a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an automatic shut off that shuts off the alarm within a maximum of 15 minutes from the time of activation.