False Alarm Reduction Program
City of Vancouver security alarm users are required to apply for and obtain an annual permit to use the system. For questions about your jurisdiction, visit the Clark County Property Information Center to confirm. The annual permit fee for a residential or business alarm user is $20.
The City of Vancouver is required to comply with the Public Records Act RCW 42.56. Therefore, any and all information submitted or provided to the City, including personal information, may be subject to public disclosure as a public record.
Age exemption: Primary residential alarm users age 62 or older may request exemption from the permit fee by providing a copy of their driver’s license, birth certificate or passport along with a completed registration form.
Economic exemption: Primary residential alarm users who are eligible for the federal food stamp program may request exemption from the permit fee by providing proof of economic hardship each year.
Online Registration
Alarm users may now register, pay and update alarm permit information easily online by visiting the False Alarm Reduction page.
New users: Obtain and pay for your alarm permit today. Once you have registered, you are automatically enrolled to receive all correspondence electronically.
Existing users: Contact the alarm unit by email of phone to set up your online account today. Please register and pay for your alarm permit on-line or print and complete the registration form.
VMC 8.52 requires that you keep your alarm permit information updated with the police department.
Alarm Companies
Alarm companies are required by law to notify their customers that security alarm registration is mandatory and must register their company with Vancouver Police Alarm Unit. If you are an alarm company, please complete the Alarm Company Registration Form.
Alarm companies are subject to penalties for requesting an alarm dispatch when an installing or servicing company is at the alarm site to install or service an alarm system or for dispatching police to an alarm location that has been suspended.
False Alarms
False alarm activations account for more than 97% of alarm responses annually. This diverts police officers away from actual crimes in progress, creates longer response times, and poses a risk to safety of the general public as well as public safety personnel. False alarm fines are intended to recover a part of the costs caused to the public by security alarm systems.
False alarm definition: “False alarm” is the activation of any security alarm system by other than forced entry, attempted forced entry, unlawful entry or actual burglary or robbery at the alarm site. Alarm users are responsible for paying fines regardless of age or economic exemption.
False alarm fine schedule
- 1st Response: $50/waiver*
- 2nd Response: $100
- 3rd Response: $150
- 4th Response: $200
- 5th Response: $250
- 6th Response: $300/disconnect**
*A waiver form will be mailed with each first notice of a false alarm allowing the Alarm Owner an opportunity to correct the problem and take responsibility for their system. If a completed waiver form is returned within the designated time frame, that first response fine will be waived but the alarm incident with remain in the permit history.
**Order of Disconnect and Directive of Non-Response may be sent to the Alarm Owner, Alarm Company and 9-1-1 after sixth False Alarm, failure to register and failure to pay. If an alarm site receives 6 false alarms within a 12 month period, an order to disconnect the system may be issued if compliance steps are not met. Please complete the Reinstatement Application if needed.
Appeal process: Alarm owners subject to fine/penalty or other administrative action are entitled to appeal. An appeal must be filed in writing to the chief of police with ten (10) days of receipt of notice and should include evidence or a crime and corresponding police report number or proof of how the City of Vancouver acted in error in assessing the penalty to be granted.
Contact Information
For any questions regarding the Alarm Ordinance, Security Alarm Registration or to offer any suggestions please contact:
Central Square Technologies (CST).
Phone: 833-814-0400
Mailing Address: PO BOX 744595, Los Angeles, CA 90074-4595
Email: vancouverwa@alarm-billing.com