Alarm Registration

The City of Fort Lauderdale’s Alarm Ordinance requires that each alarm system (residential and non-residential) be registered with the city. The initial registration fee for an alarm system is $50.00. Registrations are effective for 12 months and are required to be renewed each calendar year.

The City Ordinance governing Alarm Systems defines what an alarm monitoring company is, requires a one-time alarm registration fee for each alarm unit, and defines the alarm service fee structure for the Police and Fire Departments. The Ordinance’s alarm service fee structure was established to more effectively address the costs associated with alarm responses by the Police and Fire Departments, as well as the administrative costs to effectively track and monitor the database information for call out and billing purposes.

Registration Process Changes

• Each alarm user is still required to register their alarm system. Download the registration form for mailing. Registration forms may also be obtained at the payment locations listed below or you can have a form mailed to you by contacting the Alarm Unit at 954-828-6429.
• Those who HAVE NOT registered their alarm systems and HAVE NOT paid the initial $50 registration fee are required to register their alarms and pay the $50 initial registration fee.
• Those who HAVE registered their alarm systems since January 16, 2004 and HAVE paid the initial $50 registration fee are ONLY required to submit a registration renewal form each year to satisfy the annual registration requirement. No renewal fee is required. RENEWALS CANNOT BE DONE ONLINE; YOU MUST MAIL-IN THE REGISTRATION RENEWAL FORM .

If an alarm user has more than one alarm system, each system much be registered separately, regardless of the number of buildings or portion thereof in which the alarm system is operating.

Alarm registrations are non-transferrable. If there is a change of ownership or tenant(s), the new alarm user has 30 days from the date of transfer to re-register the alarm and pay the initial registration fee. Likewise, new or replacement alarm systems must also be registered within 30 days of installation. If any information supplied in any alarm registration has changed, the registered alarm user must also notify the City of the change within 30 days.

Alarm Response Service Fees

"Alarm response service fees" are defined as a Police or Fire-Rescue response to check a premise due to an activation of an alarm. When emergency personnel respond and find no evidence of criminal activity or a medical need, the alarm call will be considered an alarm response.

Causes of alarm activations:

• Using incorrect keypad codes
• Failing to train authorized users
• Weak system batteries
• Failure to secure doors and windows once the alarm is turned on
• Wandering pets
• Failure of businesses to notify monitoring company of unscheduled openings and closings
• Failure of the monitoring company to notify persons on the contact list before calling the police

Alarm response service fees are as follows:

POLICE Residential Alarm Users:

• 1st alarm response within a twelve-month period is free.
• 2nd alarm response within a twelve-month period is $50.
• 3rd alarm response within a twelve-month period is $75.
• 4th alarm response within a twelve-month period is $100.
• 5th alarm response and all subsequent alarm responses within a twelve-month period are $200.

POLICE Non-Residential Alarm Users:

• 1st alarm response within a twelve-month period is free.
• 2nd alarm response within a twelve-month period is $100.
• 3rd alarm response within a twelve-month period is $150.
• 4th alarm response within a twelve-month period is $200.
• 5th alarm response and all subsequent alarm responses within a twelve-month period are $400.

FIRE Residential and Non-Residential Alarm Users:

• 1st alarm response within a twelve-month period is free.
• 2nd alarm response within a twelve-month period is $100.
• 3rd alarm response within a twelve-month period is $200.
• 4th alarm response and all subsequent alarm responses within a twelve-month period are $400.

Alarm users are reminded that the ordinance includes a provision allowing the City to place liens against properties having alarm accounts delinquent over thirty (30) days from the billing date, and report delinquent alarm accounts to a contracted collection agency. This might not only affect a property owner’s credit standing, but also could allow the City to foreclose on mortgages of real property! Alarm users are encouraged to keep their alarm systems in good operating order, and their alarm accounts paid as up-to-date as possible. Alarm users are reminded that the ordinance also states that failure to register alarm systems and pay the initial registration fee may be punishable by up to sixty (60) days in jail or a $500 fine, if prosecuted.

If you have any questions regarding the Alarm Ordinance, Alarm Registration, or Alarm Response Service Fee Billing, please feel free to call the Alarm Unit at 954 828-5476, or e-mail us at alarmunit@fortlauderdale.gov.

How to Register, Renew, and Pay Alarm Response Service Fees

Registration Renewal

To renew your alarm registration, download and mail-in the Registration Renewal Form (RENEWALS CANNOT BE DONE ONLINE; YOU MUST MAIL-IN THE FORM).

Registration and Renewal Forms and the Alarm Ordinance

• Download the Alarm Registration Form
• Download the Registration Renewal Form
• Download the Alarm Ordinance

Instructions to Complete the Forms

1. Review the form.                                            
2. Complete the form.
3. Sign and date the completed form.
4. Submit the completed, signed form with the appropriate fee.

NOTE: Electrical contractors must submit separate checks for electrical permit and alarm registration fees.

Check our Alarm Registration FAQ if you have any questions.

Payment Locations

Types of Payment Accepted

• Check (Made payable to City of Fort Lauderdale)
• Money Order (Made payable to City of Fort Lauderdale)
• Credit Card (Visa and MasterCard; online payments only)

How to Cancel an Alarm Registration

To cancel your alarm registration (for example, if you move or discontinue service) mail or fax a signed cancellation form or letter to:

Cancel by Mail

Fort Lauderdale Police Department - Alarm Unit
1300 West Broward Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Cancel by Fax

Fax: (954) 828-5953

Please include your name, address, alarm address (if different), telephone number and the reason for cancellation. (E-mail and phone notifications are not acceptable because a signature is required.)

Contact Information

Alarm Registrations
AlarmUnit@fortlauderdale.gov

Alarm Fees
(954) 828-5476
EMoran@fortlauderdale.gov

Alarm Unit Supervisor
(954) 828-5611
SScelfo@fortlauderdale.gov

Fort Lauderdale Police Department - Alarm Unit
1300 West Broward Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
(954) 828-6429
AlarmUnit@fortlauderdale.gov