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Pittsburgh Alarm Permit: Cost, False Alarm Fees and How to Register
Pittsburgh requires a yearly alarm permit: $25 for a home burglar alarm or $50 for a home fire or multi-purpose alarm, applied for online through OneStopPGH. The first 2 false burglar alarms are free, then fines climb from $50 to $500 each; false fire alarms are free up to 4, then $75 each for homes.[1,2]
Pittsburgh alarm permit at a glance
| Who needs a permit | These rules apply to alarm systems inside Pittsburgh city limits.[1] |
|---|---|
| Which alarms are covered | Anyone who uses or has an alarm system in Pittsburgh needs a permit, and must renew it every year. Installing or changing a system also needs a separate installation permit (usually handled by the installer).[1] |
| Residential permit fee | New: $25 (Same amount each year to renew.), $50 (Same amount each year to renew.), $50 (Same amount each year to renew. Multi-purpose covers combined systems (intrusion, fire, medical, etc.).) · valid 12 months (Each one-year period; the Chief of Police sets the permit period.)[1] |
| Fee exemptions | Owners 75 or older who live alone in a single-family home and qualify for the city's senior property tax relief program pay no permit fee. New systems get 90 days before false alarm fees are collected if permitted within 7 days. Alarms with no known cause still count as false alarms.[1] |
| Free false alarms | Burglar alarms: 2; Fire alarms: 4[1] |
| If you have no permit | Not confirmed. Pittsburgh's code doesn't say whether police or fire will skip responding to an alarm that has no permit. |
| Runs the program | Sources differ Pittsburgh's code says alarm permits are handled by the Police Bureau's Alarm Permit Section, but the city's website now sends residents to the OneStopPGH portal and the Fire Bureau for alarm registrations.[1,2,3] |
| When to apply | Get your permit before you start using the alarm. If you get it within 7 days of installation (and the city was notified of the install), false alarm fees aren't collected for the first 90 days.[1] |
False alarm fees in Pittsburgh
Residential burglar alarms (with a permit)
| False alarm | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st–2nd | Free[1] |
| 3rd | $50[1] |
| 4th | $100[1] |
| 5th | $150[1] |
| 6th | $200[1] |
| 7th | $250[1] |
| 8th | $300[1] |
| 9th and each after | $500[1] |
Residential fire alarms (with a permit)
If false alarms keep happening: The police chief can suspend or revoke your permit if you have more than 5 false alarms within a year of your first one, if your application had false information, or if you don't follow the rules.[1]
Charges without a permit
- $350 — charged as a fine for failing to get or post a permit.[1]
How to get or renew a permit in Pittsburgh
- Apply or renew online at onestoppgh.pittsburghpa.gov[2,3].
- Pittsburgh takes alarm registrations online through OneStopPGH. We couldn't find a mailing address for alarm permit applications; email FireInfo@pittsburghpa.gov with questions.[2]
- Give your permit number to your alarm monitoring company.
- You must renew your permit every year, online through OneStopPGH.[1,2]
Who files: The person who has the alarm system must get the permit. Alarm installers also have to tell the city within 7 working days of installing a system.[1]
Good to know
- Self-installed and self-monitored systems: Not confirmed. Pittsburgh's code doesn't say anything specific about self-installed or self-monitored systems. Its definition of an alarm system is broad, so check with the city before assuming you're exempt.
- Panic and hold-up alarms: Not confirmed. Pittsburgh's code has no separate rules or fees for panic or hold-up alarms.
- Before police are sent: Not confirmed. We couldn't find any Pittsburgh policy requiring a verified (confirmed) alarm before police respond.
- Not sure which rules apply to your address?: Not confirmed. We couldn't find an official Pittsburgh address lookup for alarm permits. Many nearby suburbs have Pittsburgh mailing addresses but are not in the city, so check that your address is inside City of Pittsburgh limits.
Business and other non-residential alarms
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 Pittsburgh.
Sources
- City of Pittsburgh (General Code eCode360), Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title Six (Conduct), Article I, Chapter 611 - Alarms — History notes: Ord. 14-1980; Ord. 54-1991 (eff. 12-31-1991); Ord. 26-1994; Ord. 17-1997; Ord. 21-2004, § 28 (eff. 12-2-2004). eCode360 code version dated 2026-09-16.. §§ 611.01-611.08 (incl. 611.07A). ecode360.com. Checked October 29, 2026.
- City of Pittsburgh, Department of Finance, Finance Permits & Licenses - City of Pittsburgh Online Alarm Permit Registration — last updated: 04/22/2025. web page. www.pittsburghpa.gov. Checked October 29, 2026.
- City of Pittsburgh, Bureau of Fire, Fire Permit Information — last updated: 10/07/2025. web page. www.pittsburghpa.gov. Checked October 29, 2026.
Updates
- October 29, 2026 — first published from official sources.