This bill creates new statewide legal standards by adding sections to chapter 35.21 RCW (cities and towns), chapter 35A.21 RCW (code cities), and chapter 36.01 RCW (counties) to govern installation and operation of “electric security alarm systems” on certain outdoor storage properties where local governments have not adopted alternative regulations. It defines “electric security alarm system” and “outdoor storage property,” exempts burglar and fire alarm systems defined in existing RCWs, and specifies which local governments and property owners are affected. The bill sets technical and siting requirements: energizers must be battery powered with no more than 12 volts DC and must not exceed energizer contact characteristics in IEC 60335-2-76 as of January 1, 2025; warning signs reading “Warning: Electric Fence.” must be placed at intervals no greater than 30 feet; the alarm system must be 10 feet tall or two feet higher than the perimeter barrier, whichever is greater; a device to allow first responders to deactivate the system must be included if the local jurisdiction uses that capability; and a minimum five‑foot perimeter barrier, fence, or wall is required (existing barriers must have complied with the fence code at the time they were installed). Local jurisdictions may require permits for new perimeter fences/walls and may require alarm‑operator licensing like other security alarms, but may not impose additional conditions appurtenant to installation beyond those specified. The bill preempts local fence rules only where a local government has not enacted its own ordinance regulating or prohibiting electric security alarm systems; jurisdictions that already have such ordinances are not subject to the statewide standard. If a city, code city, or county adopts a regulating or prohibiting ordinance after the section’s effective date, the ordinance must include the words “electric security alarm” in its title and the jurisdiction must hold two public hearings before final adoption; systems installed before such a local ordinance may continue to operate if they comply with the subsection (1) requirements. This is a substantive and procedural change establishing statewide equipment and siting standards and procedural rules for local adoption; it does not create a new criminal offense or change penalties in the provided text. Important details are missing from the extracted material: the specific effective date of the new sections, any enforcement or penalty provisions, the full text of subsection (1) referenced in multiple places, and the incomplete portions of the county section. These omissions prevent a complete description of implementation, enforcement, and any additional exceptions.

If enacted, property owners of qualifying outdoor storage sites in Washington where cities or counties have not set their own rules will gain a clear right to install electric security alarm systems under a single statewide minimum standard. Practically, affected owners will likely need to buy equipment that runs on no more than a 12‑volt DC battery and meets the IEC energizer limits referenced as of January 1, 2025, install conspicuous "Warning: Electric Fence." signs at no more than 30‑foot intervals, put the system at least 10 feet high (or two feet above the perimeter barrier), and have a five‑foot perimeter barrier around the system; they may also need to provide a device to let first responders deactivate the system if the local jurisdiction chooses to use that option. Local governments can still require permits or operator licenses like other security systems, but cannot treat these systems as ordinary fences or impose extra installation conditions beyond the bill’s standards. The most affected parties are outdoor storage property owners and operators, local permitting authorities, alarm system operators, and first responders; owners will face upfront equipment and installation costs to meet the technical and signage requirements and may face permit fees, while jurisdictions will have modest new permitting or inspection responsibilities but reduced ability to add site‑specific conditions. Jurisdictions that already regulate or ban these systems keep that authority, and any new local ordinances adopted after the bill’s effective date must include the words "electric security alarm" in the title and hold two public hearings; systems installed before such local ordinances may remain if they meet the statewide rules. The provided text omits the bill’s effective date and some implementation details, so timing and enforcement practices are unclear.