If you own an alarm system at your home or business, you must possess a valid alarm permit. For your convenience, the Office of Finance accepts on-line payments for alarm permits, or you can visit the Office of Finance at one of their branch locations.

The cost for an alarm permit is $31. The cost to renew your alarm permit is $30.

For permit fee exemptions, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section on permits.

Once you receive your alarm permit, please display it on the premises, at or near the main entrance, so that an officer can identify the permit and telephone number of the person designated to respond to the location in the event of an alarm activation. In lieu of displaying your alarm permit, displaying the alarm company decal in front of your premises would be sufficient.

Under the City’s revised Alarm Ordinance (effective November 8, 2004), the City will no longer provide "free" false alarms. In addition to recovering the $115 fee for service, escalating penalties will be imposed for multiple false alarms. For alarm users who do not have a valid permit, the escalating penalties will commence on the first false alarm.

The Alarms Section offers False Alarm Reduction classes free of charge. These two-hour classes are held regularly in downtown Los Angeles. In class, you will learn about the City’s Alarm Ordinance and false alarm reduction techniques. In addition, you can have one false alarm service charge waived from your record. For the schedule of the upcoming classes and to reserve a seat, please contact the Alarms Section at 213-485-2931 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Permittees questioning service charges billed to them may request a waiver investigation by presenting a written request to the Board of Police Commissioners. You must include documentation to support why a service charge should be waived. A service charge shall be waived or reversed when the Board or its designee has determined that activation of the permittee’s alarm system was caused by:

1. Criminal activity as evidenced by a Preliminary Investigation Report (PIR) filed within 30 days of the alarm date, or other verifiable evidence of a crime occurring on the alarm date which is deemed acceptable by the Board; or

2. Acts of nature such as earthquake, flood, hurricane force wind, fire and verifiable power or telephone line failure.

The City contracts with private collection agencies to ensure payment of past due false alarm billings. If you have delinquent false alarm billings, contact the Office of Finance immediately to clear any charges you may have incurred.

The City Attorney may file a case with the Los Angeles Superior Court to ensure compliance with the City’s Alarm Ordinance. If you are the subject of a misdemeanor action, please call the Alarms Section at 213-485-2931 to obtain more information.