Frequently Asked Questions
If you have an alarm system, you are required by the City of Escondido to have an alarm permit. If you have multiple alarm systems, a permit is required for each alarm system. If you have multiple alarm systems with separate physical addresses throughout the City of Escondido, a permit is required for each alarm system at each physical address that differs from the main address. A permit will not be required for multiple alarm zones located on one property.
False security alarms are very costly and prevent police officers from responding to actual emergencies. A false alarm is any alarm signal which causes a police department response when an emergency does not exist. The City of Escondido requires residences and commercial businesses with alarm systems to obtain and to maintain an annual alarm registration permit and reimburse the City for excessive false security alarms. The City allows up to one false alarm within a 365 day period with no charge. False alarm fines begin with the second response.
$25.00 Residential Permit
$25.00 Residential Annual Renewal
$50.00 Commercial Permit
$50.00 Commercial Annual Renewal
$15.00 Permit, Annual Renewal for Seniors, 55 and Older, Commercial or Residential
Click here to register your alarm.
A false alarm is any alarm signal which causes a police department response when an emergency situation does not exist. Excessive false alarms are defined as a second or more false alarm within a 365 day period.
| Police Alarms | 1st False Alarm in 365 Day Period | 2nd False Alarm in 365 Day Period | 3rd False Alarm in 365 Day Period | 4th False Alarm in 365 Day Period | 5th False Alarm in 365 Day Period | 6th-14th False Alarm in 365 Day Period | 15th+ False Alarm in 365 Day Period |
| Permitted Alarm | No Charge | $25.00* | $50.00 | $100.00 | $150.00 | $200.00 each | $500.00 each |
| Non-Permitted Alarm | No Charge | $50.00 | $100.00 | $200.00 | $300.00 | $400.00 each | $1000.00 each |
* This fee may be reduced upon completion of Alarm School
Pricing effective November 16, 2016. A 10% penalty and 7% annual interest will be added to false alarm fees for all payments received 30 days after the due date.
Fee notices are sent out each week for false alarms. The false alarm fee schedule and counts are based on rolling 365 day period. There is a 10% penalty for payments received 30 days after the due date.
Alarm permits are required to be renewed annually based on your alarm registration or renewal date. You will be sent a renewal notice via email or regular mail.
Yes. The City of Escondido's alarm ordinance, EMC 6A-3, requires residences and business owners with alarm systems to obtain and maintain an annual permit and reimburse the City of Escondido for excessive false security alarms.
Yes. If you are a new owner of an alarm system, you are required to obtain a new permit in your name, as it is not transferrable. However, no fee will be charged until the annual fee is due.
Yes. Anytime there is a change in ownership of the alarm system, a new alarm permit is required, as it is not transferrable. There will be no new fee collected, however, until the annual fee is due.
APPEALING A FALSE ALARM RESPONSE CHARGE
*Submit a written request/statement as to why you feel the charge and/or occurrence should be waived or removed from your account, along with any supporting documentation (police reports, alarm company documentation, etc)
*Submit via email using the Contact Us page.
*Be sure to include Permit License #, alarm location address, and incident date(s) in question.
*Submit within fifteen (15) calendar days of the notice imposing the charge.
If there is no longer active alarm service in your name at this location please notify us in writing by sending an email to escondidoca@citysupport.org with the date of cancellation and the alarm company of record.