Talk to a Representative855.891.7233
Los Angeles Alarm Permit: Cost, False Alarm Fees and How to Register
Every alarm system in the City of Los Angeles needs a permit: $60 to start, then $31 for each calendar year. There are no free false alarms. With a permit the first four false alarms in 365 days cost $260, $310, $360 and $410; without one, $360 to $660. After two false burglar alarms in 365 days, the alarm must be verified before police are sent, except for robbery and panic alarms.[1,2,3]
Los Angeles alarm permit at a glance
| Who needs a permit | Alarm systems inside the City of Los Angeles.[4] |
|---|---|
| Which alarms are covered | Any alarm system installed on a property to signal a robbery, burglary or other crime. Systems that mainly protect a vehicle are excluded.[4,2] |
| Residential permit fee | New: $60 Renewal: $31 · renews each calendar year[1,3,2] |
| Other permit charges | Late: $15 (if you did not get a permit when required, or renew between January 1 and March 31)[2] Late: $30 (if you renew after March 31)[2] |
| Fee exemptions | Not confirmed. No senior, disability or veteran permit-fee exemption is listed. Separately, permit holders can have one false-alarm charge waived every 365 days by completing Alarm School.[4] |
| Free false alarms | None in any rolling 12 months[3] |
| If you have no permit | Not confirmed. The city charges higher false-alarm fees without a permit but does not say police will decline to respond. |
| Runs the program | LAPD Police Commission, Alarm Section (permits issued through the City of Los Angeles Office of Finance)[3,5,1] |
| When to apply | Before the alarm is installed, connected, activated or used. If an alarm company installs it, the company must confirm you have a permit, or collect your application and fee and file it for you, before installing. Operating an alarm without a permit is a misdemeanor.[2,6,4] |
False alarm fees in Los Angeles
False alarms are counted over any rolling 12 months[5]. Each fee below is charged per false alarm.
Residential false alarms (with a permit)
| False alarm | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st | $260[2] |
| 2nd | $310[3] |
| 3rd | $360[3] |
| 4th | $410[3] |
| 5th and each after | Sources differ The city code adds $50 more for each additional false alarm in 365 days, which would make the 5th $460. The Office of Finance fee table stops at $410 for the 4th. Ask the LAPD Alarm Section which applies.[2,3] |
If false alarms keep happening: The Board of Police Commissioners may suspend or revoke a permit after more than 10 false alarms in 365 days. Not paying a false-alarm fee or penalty within 60 days of billing is also grounds for revocation.[2]
Charges without a permit
- $360 — charged for the 1st false alarm without a permit. Then $460 for the 2nd, $560 for the 3rd and $660 for the 4th within 365 days.[3]
- Sources differ For the 5th and later false alarms without a permit: The city code adds $100 more for each additional false alarm, which would make the 5th $760. The Office of Finance table stops at $660 for the 4th.[2,3]
How to get or renew a permit in Los Angeles
- Apply or renew online at latax.lacity.org[3].
- Prefer paper? Download the application (PDF, revised July 2026)[7].
- Questions: call the LAPD Alarm Section at (213) 996-1200[4].
- Apply in person at an Office of Finance branch: City Hall, 200 North Spring Street, Room 101, Los Angeles, CA 90012, or 6262 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 110, Van Nuys, CA 91401. Check office hours before you go.[8]
- Give your permit number to your alarm monitoring company.
- Renew for each calendar year; the $31 fee is due in November and December. Paying between January 1 and March 31 adds a $15 late penalty, and paying after March 31 adds $30. A permit is not issued or renewed until all permit fees, false-alarm fees and penalties owed are paid.[9,2]
Your alarm company may be able to file the application for you; you are still responsible for the permit[4].
Good to know
- Self-installed and self-monitored systems: The permit applies to operating any alarm system in the city. Alarm companies must confirm a permit exists, or get one for the customer, before installing.[4]
- Panic and hold-up alarms: Robbery, panic, duress and hold-up alarms are dispatched without the verification step. The permit requirement and false-alarm fees still apply to them.[2,5]
- Before police are sent: After two false burglar alarms in 365 days, the alarm must be verified, by someone at the scene or by remote video, before police are called to later alarms. Alarm companies must also try twice to verify by phone before calling police, and must verify any alarm in the first 7 days after a new installation. Robbery, panic and hold-up alarms are exempt from the verification step.[2,5]
- Not sure which rules apply to your address?: The LAPD Alarm Section checks whether a permit address is inside the City of Los Angeles. If you are not sure, call the Alarm Section at (213) 996-1200.[5,4]
Avoiding false alarms
- Make sure everyone who has a code knows how to disarm the system and cancel an alarm.
- Keep your monitoring company's contact list up to date so they can reach someone quickly.
- Let your monitoring company know before guests, contractors or pet sitters use the house.
- Check that doors and windows are fully closed before you arm the system.
- Replace low sensor batteries promptly.
Thinking about a professionally installed, monitored system? See how SafeStreets installation works.
SafeStreets serves this area: home security in Los Angeles.
Sources
- City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.12 (Fees) — Amended by Ord. 188,893, eff. 4/30/2026. Alarm system permit fee. codelibrary.amlegal.com. Checked October 27, 2026.
- City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.206 (Alarm Systems) — False alarm fee amended by Ord. 188,897, eff. 5/4/2026. Permit requirement, revocation, false alarm fees, late penalties, verification. codelibrary.amlegal.com. Checked October 27, 2026.
- City of Los Angeles Office of Finance, Alarm Permits. Fees, false-alarm charges, how to apply. finance.lacity.gov. Checked October 27, 2026.
- City of Los Angeles Office of Finance, Alarm Permits and Alarm Ordinance FAQs. Permit requirement, waivers. finance.lacity.gov. Checked October 27, 2026.
- Los Angeles Police Department, Alarm Section. Verified response, Alarm School. www.lapdonline.org. Checked October 27, 2026.
- City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.206.1. Alarm company duties before installation. codelibrary.amlegal.com. Checked October 27, 2026.
- City of Los Angeles Office of Finance, Police Alarm Permit Application — Revised July 2026. Paper application. finance.lacity.gov. Checked October 27, 2026.
- City of Los Angeles Office of Finance, Alarm Permits: General Information. Office locations. finance.lacity.gov. Checked October 27, 2026.
- City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 103.07. Annual permit fee due date. codelibrary.amlegal.com. Checked October 27, 2026.
Updates
- October 27, 2026 — first published from official sources.