False Alarms FAQs

The Alarm Ordinance defines it as the activation of an alarm system resulting in a response by the LAPD where an emergency of the kind for which the Alarm System was designed to give notice does not exist.

Under the revised Alarm Ordinance, the City of Los Angeles will no longer provide “free” false alarms.

For permitted alarm users, the first false alarm will result in a $176 fee, and escalate in $50 increments for subsequent false alarm occurrences.

A false alarm for those without permits will result in a $276 fee, and escalate in $100 increments with each additional false alarm occurrence.

Fees may be adjusted yearly.

Yes, the City offers an Online Alarm School program, as well as a Home-Study Alarm School program for permitted alarm system users only. By completing either program, you may have one false alarm fee waived per 365 days.

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For Online Alarm School, it is important to note that you will need your
registration and invoice number, and your invoice must not be older than 75 days.

Request that the Home-Study Alarm School package be mailed to you by calling
the Alarm Section at 213-996-1200 between the hours of 7:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Fridays, except holidays.

You may appeal in writing to the Board of Police Commissioners. Mail your request and documentation to: Board of Police Commissioners, Attention: Alarm Section, 100 West 1st Street, Suite #134, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or email at (lapdalarmsection@lapd.online)

A service charge shall be waived or reversed when the Board or its designee has determined that activation of the alarm system was caused by:

* Criminal activity as evidenced by an Investigative Report (IR) filed within 30 days of the alarm date, or other verifiable evidence of a crime occurring on the alarm date which is deemed acceptable by the Board; or

* Acts of nature such as earthquake, flood, gale force wind, fire and verifiable power or telephone line failure.