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Do You Need an Alarm Permit in Des Moines? False Alarm Fees and Rules
Des Moines doesn't require homeowners to get an alarm permit; your alarm company reports your system to the police department instead. The rules cover burglar, hold-up and robbery alarms. There are no free false alarms: the police department's administrative penalty is $50 for the first false alarm in a calendar year and $75 for each one after that. If you refuse to fix the problem and pay, or police decide prosecution is needed, the city can instead seek a civil penalty of up to $500 for the first and $750 for each later false alarm.[1,2]
Des Moines alarm rules at a glance
| Where these rules apply | These rules apply inside Des Moines city limits. Nearby cities such as West Des Moines, Urbandale, Ankeny and Johnston, and unincorporated Polk County, have their own rules.[2] |
|---|---|
| Which alarms are covered | No permit is needed. Your alarm company must report your system (your name, address and the type of alarm) to the police department within 14 days of installing it. False police alarms are charged to the alarm user.[1] |
| Fee exemptions | These don't count as false alarms: an alarm within 14 days after the city is notified of a newly installed system; alarms caused by storms, tornadoes or other violent weather; failures of transmission lines outside your or your alarm company's control; the deliberate act of someone other than you, your alarm company or people working for you; and other conditions clearly beyond your or your alarm company's control. We found no senior or low-income waivers.[1] |
| Free false alarms | None in each calendar year[1,2] |
| Runs the program | Des Moines Police Department (penalties are paid at the City Clerk's office, City Hall, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive)[1,2] |
False alarm fees in Des Moines
False alarms are counted over each calendar year[1,2]. Each fee below is charged per false alarm.
Residential false alarms
| False alarm | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st | $50 (administrative penalty; if you refuse to fix the problem and pay, or police decide prosecution is needed, the code allows a civil penalty of up to $500 instead)[2] |
| 2nd and each after | $75 (administrative penalty; if you refuse to fix the problem and pay, or police decide prosecution is needed, the code allows a civil penalty of up to $750 instead)[2] |
If false alarms keep happening: Not confirmed. We did not find a Des Moines rule that suspends police response after repeated false alarms.
Good to know
- Self-installed and self-monitored systems: Des Moines doesn't have separate rules for self-installed or self-monitored alarms. The police alarm rules cover both monitored systems and local alarms that sound or flash where people outside the home can see or hear them. An alarm that only alerts people inside the home isn't covered, and neither is a car alarm unless it's connected to the home's alarm system.[1]
- Panic and hold-up alarms: Hold-up and robbery alarms, whether automatic or set off by hand, are covered by the same police alarm rules and penalty schedule as burglar alarms.[1]
- Before police are sent: Not confirmed. We did not find a Des Moines policy requiring alarm verification before police respond.
- Not sure which rules apply to your address?: Not confirmed. We did not find an official address lookup for Des Moines city limits tied to the alarm rules.
Business and other non-residential alarms
| Alarm | False alarm | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| False alarms | 1st | $50 (administrative penalty; if you refuse to fix the problem and pay, or police decide prosecution is needed, the code allows a civil penalty of up to $500 instead)[2] |
| False alarms | 2nd and each after | $75 (administrative penalty; if you refuse to fix the problem and pay, or police decide prosecution is needed, the code allows a civil penalty of up to $750 instead)[2] |
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 Des Moines.
Sources
- City of Des Moines, Des Moines Municipal Code Chapter 38, Article III Alarms (Municode). Div. 3 Police alarms, Secs. 38-116 to 38-125. library.municode.com. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Des Moines City Council, Resolution amending the Schedule of Administrative Penalties (Traffic Enforcement Ordinance; fire and police alarm penalties) — Council agenda July 15, 2024. Schedule of Administrative Penalties, §38-123.01 False Police Alarms and §38-84.01 False Fire Alarms. councildocs.dsm.city. Checked October 28, 2026.
Updates
- October 28, 2026 — first published from official sources.