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Do You Need an Alarm Permit in Huntington? False Alarm Fees and Rules
Huntington doesn't require an alarm permit or registration, so there's no permit fee. The city's alarm ordinance doesn't charge for one false alarm in the preceding month; each one beyond that costs $100, then $200, then $400 each, though the code doesn't say whether that count resets each month. After 4 false alarms in any 12 months, every later false alarm is charged, without a stated amount. Fees are billed to both the alarm company and the owner or occupier, with a $400 late fee if they aren't paid within 30 days of the city's demand.[1]
Huntington alarm rules at a glance
| Where these rules apply | Alarms at homes, businesses and other buildings inside Huntington city limits.[1] |
|---|---|
| Fee exemptions | We didn't find any fee waivers in the city's alarm ordinance (Article 547). The ordinance defines a false alarm as one set off by mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, or the negligence of the owner or lessee or their employees or agents; that definition appears in its fire alarm part, and the police alarm part doesn't repeat it.[1] |
| Free false alarms | 1 false alarm in the preceding month isn't charged, but the code doesn't say whether that count resets each month, and after 4 false alarms in any 12 months every later false alarm is charged (no amount stated)[1] |
| Runs the program | City of Huntington[1] |
False alarm fees in Huntington
Fees apply to each false alarm police or fire respond to in the preceding month beyond the first, and the code doesn't say whether that count resets each month. Separately, after 4 false alarms in any 12 months, every later false alarm is charged, but the code doesn't say how much. Fees are billed to both the alarm company and the owner or occupier, with a $400 late fee if they aren't paid within 30 days of the city's demand.
Residential false alarms
| False alarm | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1st | Free[1] |
| 2nd | $100 (for each false alarm beyond the first in the preceding month; the code doesn't say when this count resets)[1] |
| 3rd | $200 (for each false alarm beyond the first in the preceding month; the code doesn't say when this count resets)[1] |
| 4th and each after | $400 each (for each false alarm beyond the first in the preceding month; the code doesn't say when this count resets)[1] |
If false alarms keep happening: Not confirmed. Huntington's code doesn't say police or firefighters will stop responding after repeated false alarms. The penalties it lists are the fees, a $400 late fee, a lawsuit to collect unpaid fees, and a fine of up to $500 for breaking the alarm rules.[1]
Good to know
- Self-installed and self-monitored systems: Huntington's alarm ordinance (Article 547) has no separate rule for self-installed alarms. It bans selling, installing or using an automatic dialer that sends a prerecorded message to police or fire (the city may still use one on its own properties), and says alarm systems installed in the city must report to dispatch over dedicated telephone lines or by a direct phone call from an alarm company representative. We couldn't confirm how the city applies these rules to app-based or self-monitored systems.[1]
- Panic and hold-up alarms: Huntington has no separate rule for panic or robbery alarms; they follow the same rules and false-alarm fees as burglary and medical alarms.[1]
- Before police are sent: Not confirmed. We didn't find any Huntington police policy requiring alarms to be verified before officers respond.
- Not sure which rules apply to your address?: Not confirmed. We didn't find an official address lookup for Huntington city limits on the city, police or fire department websites.
Business and other non-residential alarms
| Alarm | False alarm | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| False alarms | 1st | Free[1] |
| False alarms | 2nd | $100 (for each false alarm beyond the first in the preceding month; the code doesn't say when this count resets)[1] |
| False alarms | 3rd | $200 (for each false alarm beyond the first in the preceding month; the code doesn't say when this count resets)[1] |
| False alarms | 4th and each after | $400 each (for each false alarm beyond the first in the preceding month; the code doesn't say when this count resets)[1] |
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 Huntington.
Sources
- City of Huntington, WV (Municode), Codified Ordinances of Huntington, Part Five (General Offenses Code), Article 547 - Alarm Systems — Section histories: Ord. 10-27-97; Ord. 3-28-05; Ord. 6-10-08. Municode Supp. No. 8, codified through Ordinance No. 2025-O-31 adopted September 22, 2025; online content updated June 4, 2026.. 547.01-547.06 (Fire Alarm Systems) and 547.10-547.13 (Police Alarm Systems). library.municode.com. Checked October 28, 2026.
Updates
- October 28, 2026 — first published from official sources.