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Alexandria Alarm Permit: Cost, False Alarm Fees and How to Register
In Alexandria, Louisiana, official sources disagree on who needs an alarm permit: the city code requires yearly registration only for businesses, while the police department says every alarm user, homes included, must get a permit for a one-time $20 fee. Both agree on false alarms: two free, then $25 for the third and $50 each for the fourth through ninth.[1,2]
The city's alarm code and the Alexandria Police Department's alarm page disagree on who must register and what it costs: the code covers only commercial alarm sites with yearly renewal and no set fee, while the police page says all alarm users pay a one-time $20. They also differ on the 10th false alarm. Confirm with the APD Alarm/Permit Section (318-441-6492) before you rely on either.
Alexandria alarm permit at a glance
| Who needs a permit | Alarm systems in the City of Alexandria. Official sources differ on whether homes must register (see the note above); the false-alarm fines apply to every alarm user.[2,1] |
|---|---|
| Which alarms are covered | Any alarm meant to discourage crime that sounds locally or sends a remote signal. Not covered: vehicle alarms (unless the vehicle is permanently at the site) and alarms that only alert people inside with no outside siren. Official sources differ on whether homes must register; homes are subject to the false-alarm fines and non-response rules either way.[1,2] |
| Residential permit fee | Sources differ The code section is titled "fee" but sets no amount. The police page and application say $20, one time (the form also still notes the fee was waived until January 1, 2013).[1,2,3] |
| Fee exemptions | If you fix a faulty system within 5 days of a false-alarm dispatch and send the service ticket within 10 days, the Alarm Administrator may waive the fine (high-wind false alarms aren't eligible). Fines are also waived for residential users 65 or older or with a certified disability when confusion or panic caused the alarm, if they agree to training. Alarms caused by an actual crime or attempt don't count.[2,1] |
| Free false alarms | 2 (official sources differ on the counting period; see below)[1,2] |
| If you have no permit | Police can refuse to respond, unless there's a separate sign of a crime in progress, at any site whose registration is suspended or that has received a notice of non-police response, which the code issues at the 10th false alarm in 12 months, at homes as well as businesses.[1] |
| Runs the program | Alexandria Police Department, Alarm/Permit Section[2] |
| When to apply | Sources differ Neither source sets a deadline after installation; the police page says operating without a permit is prohibited. When an unpermitted alarm goes off, the police page gives a resident 10 days to comply; under the code, registering within 10 days can get the extra $100 fine waived.[1,2] |
False alarm fees in Alexandria
How false alarms are counted: Sources differ The code counts false alarms "within a twelve-month period"; the police page says "each year".[1,2]
Residential false alarms (with a permit)
| False alarm | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st–2nd | Free[1] |
| 3rd | $25[1] |
| 4th–9th | $50[1] |
| 10th and each after | Sources differ Code: the 10th brings suspension or a notice of non-police response. Police page: a $100 fine for the 10th, and after 10 the permit may be revoked with $100 for each alarm answered.[1,2] |
If false alarms keep happening: The code: the 10th false alarm in 12 months brings suspension or a notice of non-police response by certified mail; registration can also be suspended for a false statement or fines unpaid after 45 days, and 2 false alarms within 60 days of reinstatement can bring another suspension. The police page instead lists a $100 fine at the 10th and possible revocation after 10, with $100 for each alarm answered while revoked.[1,2]
Charges without a permit
- $100 — charged per false alarm dispatch from an unregistered, suspended or non-response-noticed alarm. In addition to other fines; for an unregistered system it can be waived if you register within 10 days. The police page says homes without a permit are fined $100 per response on conviction.[1]
How to get or renew a permit in Alexandria
- Prefer paper? Download the application (PDF)[2,3].
- Questions: call Alexandria Police Department Alarm/Permit Section at 318-441-6492[2].
- Mail the application and a check or money order (payable to Alexandria Police Alarm Billing) to: Alexandria Police Department, Alarm/Permit Section, 1000 Bolton Ave., Alexandria, LA 71301.[2]
- No online registration; mail or bring the paper application with payment to the Alarm/Permit Section.[2]
- Give your permit number to your alarm monitoring company.
- Sources differ The code requires commercial registrations to be renewed every year with an updated application (reminder sent 30 days before); the police page describes a one-time fee and no renewal.[1,2]
Good to know
- Self-installed and self-monitored systems: Any alarm with an outside siren or a remote signal counts, whoever installed it. Official sources differ on whether homes must register, but false-alarm fines apply to every alarm user.[1]
- Panic and hold-up alarms: Duress and hold-up alarms don't need the call-verification step before police are requested. They count toward the same false-alarm schedule.[1]
- Before police are sent: Monitoring companies must try to verify every alarm before requesting police, except duress and hold-up alarms (UL-certified systems are exempt).[1]
- Not sure which rules apply to your address?: Not confirmed. The city's alarm rules have no address lookup.
Business and other non-residential alarms
| Alarm | False alarm | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| False alarms | 1st–2nd | Free[1] |
| False alarms | 3rd | $25[1] |
| False alarms | 4th–9th | $50[1] |
| False alarms | 10th and each after | Sources differ Code: the 10th brings suspension or a notice of non-police response. Police page: a $100 fine for the 10th, and after 10 the permit may be revoked with $100 for each alarm answered.[1,2] |
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 Alexandria.
Sources
- City of Alexandria, Louisiana (via Municode), Alexandria Code of Ordinances Ch. 7, Art. X: Alarms — Ord. No. 137-1996; Municode online content updated Apr 22, 2025 (Supp. 109). Secs. 7-191 to 7-206. library.municode.com. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Alexandria Police Department, Alarm Registration. Permit FAQ; fines; waivers. alexandrialapolice.org. Checked October 28, 2026.
- Alexandria Police Department, Alarm User Permit Application — Undated; notes fee waived until January 1, 2013. Instructions; business and residence sections. alexandrialapolice.org. Checked October 28, 2026.
Updates
- October 28, 2026 — first published from official sources.