Alarm Program
City of Glendale, Ordinance No. 2993
City Code Chapter 3
Why is there a False Alarm Ordinance?
False alarms have become an enormous concern for law enforcement agencies everywhere. Millions of dollars and staff-hours are spent chasing "burglars" which turn out to be nothing more than floating birthday balloons, unrestricted pets, or paper falling from a fax machine (just to name a few).
The hope is to alleviate the false alarm problem, thereby redirecting public safety resources to more effectively serve the community as a whole. Our goal is to make Glendale a safer place to live for all of our citizens, whether they own security systems or not.
Ordinance Information
The alarm ordinance was adopted by Mayor and Council on June 22, 2010. It was designed to decrease false alarms. Statistics show 98% of the alarm calls officers responded to in 2009 were false alarms.
Police enforcement of the ordinance started March 9, 2011. The ordinance was updated and approved on June 14, 2016.
The ordinance does not apply to audible alarms affixed to motor vehicles, audible fire alarms, medical alert devices, or residential panic alarms.
View the City Alarm Ordinance.
If you have any questions please contact the alarm coordinator hotline at (623) 930-2466 or by email alarmcoordinator@glendaleaz.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a false alarm?
Glendale City Ordinance Section 3-2 defines a false alarm as, “Any activation of an alarm not caused by or as a result of a criminal act or unauthorized entry, except for activation for testing purposes when the Police Department has been given advance notice of such testing or activation caused by the Police Department.” Any activation of an alarm system that results in a police response must be the result of criminal or attempted criminal activity. Otherwise it will be considered a false alarm.
Is there a charge for having a false alarm?
There is no charge for the first false alarm in a floating 365 day period; however you will receive a notification from the Alarm Program that you have had a false alarm. It is very important that you take the necessary steps to rectify any problems you have with your alarm system after you receive a notification.
You will be charged a false alarm assessment fee for 2+ false alarms. In the event you have 10+ false alarms in a floating 365 days period, you shall be charged with a class 1 misdemeanor.
Failure to pay assessed fees in a timely manner is a violation of the alarm ordinance. Additional fees may be accrued and ultimately you may be charged with a Class 1 Misdemeanor in Glendale City Court.
Excessive False Alarm Assessments
Burglary Permit
| False Alarms |
Assessment |
| 2nd |
$85 |
| 3rd |
$150 |
| 4th |
$200 |
| 5th |
$250 |
| 6th |
$300 |
| 7th and subsequent |
$400 |
Commercial Panic or Robbery Permit
| False Alarms |
Assessment |
| 2nd |
$125 |
| 3rd |
$250 |
| 4th and subsequent |
$400 |
Exemptions/No Fines
- Alarms resulting from a criminal act or attempted criminal act will never be assessed a fee.
- Alarms resulting from acts of nature or other large-scale events such as power or telephone outages will not be assessed a fee.
The ordinance does not apply to audible alarms affixed to motor vehicles, audible fire alarms, medical alert devices, or residential panic alarms.
Is there a way to have a false alarm removed from my record?
Yes. If you believe a false alarm fee assessed is in error, you may appeal the fee. Within 20 days of the date on the letter you received notifying you of the assessed fee, you may appeal to the Glendale Police Department Alarm Program Coordinator. Your appeal must be in writing and should contain and explain specific reasons to void the fees assessed.
Possible defenses to a false alarm service fee assessment may include evidence that a false alarm was caused by nature, common cause, action of the telephone company, telephone line outage, power outage lasting longer than the life of a fully charged battery, or other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the alarm business, alarm subscriber or proprietary alarm owner. If the matter is not decided to your satisfaction, you may appeal the decision to a 3rd party hearing officer.
Will the police department stop responding to my alarm?
No! The Glendale Police Department will continue to respond to alarms from your residence or business no matter the status of your permit or outstanding fees. You will, however, continue to be assessed the graduated fees for false alarms attributed by your alarm system.
How do I know a police officer responded to my alarm and I am not being charged just because my alarm company called?
The Alarm Program downloads the information on all alarm dispatches daily from the dispatch center. The information includes the event number, the time of the dispatch, who requested the dispatch, the time the officer arrived at your location and the officer's identification number. If you have any question regarding the response to your alarm please contact the Alarm Coordinator by email: AlarmCoordinator@glendaleaz.com or (623) 930-2466.
The purpose of having an alarm system is to prevent a break-in, why am I being charged a false alarm fee if my system is doing what it is supposed to do and prevented a burglary?
The police officers of Glendale are highly trained professionals and follow a strict protocol upon arriving at the location that has had an alarm. They check the premise for any possible signs of an intrusion or an attempted intrusion (cut screen, broken glass, jimmied door, etc.). If the responding officer determines that there are no signs of criminal activity the alarm call is classified as false.
How do I appeal a false alarm service fee?
A request for appeal of a false alarm service fee must be submitted in writing no later than 20 days after the receipt of your False Alarm Notification. Please note that mechanical failure of your alarm system or user error is not considered grounds for appeal.
Send your appeal letter to:
Glendale Police Department
Alarm Program
6835 North 57th Drive
Glendale, AZ 85301
or Email: AlarmCoordinator@glendaleaz.com
Does the city of Glendale recommend what alarm company I should use?
No, however we do recommend that you use a company that is in good standing and is in current compliance with State licensing requirements. You may contact the below agencies to verify the current status of an alarm company.
What do I need to know about alarm companies?
Licenses/Certificates Are Required
Alarm Companies, Agents, and Alarm Salespeople are required to be certified by either the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) or the Arizona Board of Technical Registration (BTR). Review Arizona Revised Statute Title 32, Chapter 1, Articles 1 & 2 to determine if your company, salesperson, or agent is correctly registered. Contact the issuing agency to determine if a company/agent/salesperson has passed a FBI fingerprint background check.
How to Find the License/Certificate
Arizona Registrar of Contractors
(602) 542-1525
Search licensed contractors
Arizona Board of Technical Registration
(602) 364-4930
Search certified professionals
(Alarm Companies and Agents must apply with the BTR by October 1, 2013.)
Alarm Company, Salesperson and Agent Licensing
The Glendale Police Department, in accordance with Arizona Revised Statute 32-113, no longer issues Alarm Company or Alarm Agent Licenses.
Tips on How to Prevent False Alarms
Download a tip sheet on ways to avoid false alarms(PDF, 132KB).
- Teach everyone who has a key how to properly turn your alarm on and off (including the housekeeper, babysitter, real estate agent). Include instructions on how to cancel a false alarm.
- Make sure a phone is accessible and within hearing range of anyone who will use your alarm system (in the case of an intrusion alarm your alarm company is required by law to attempt to call you and verify an alarm signal before dispatching the police).
- Notify your alarm company of all changes you make, including phone upgrades, changes in responsible parties (individuals to notify in the case of an alarm), new business hours, and additional key holders.
- Get your system tested regularly, and get potentially faulty equipment repaired or replaced immediately! Be sure to replace your batteries at least once a year.
- Be sure that everyone (including your pet) is out of the monitored zones prior to engaging your alarm, or make sure to turn your system to "stay" mode. If you have indoor pets, talk to your alarm company about "pet-proof" sensors and other options.
- If your alarm gets activated by storms or wind, have your alarm company make the required sensitivity adjustments.
- Do not leave anything that may move in a monitored room. This includes plants, balloons, flags, and other decorations which may be affected by the ventilation system.
- If your fireplace is in use, make sure that any motion detectors in that area are bypassed.
- Make sure all windows and doors are securely closed and locked. If something won't secure properly, do not set the alarm (this includes loose-fitting, damaged, or warped doors and windows).
- Upgrade old alarm systems to current equipment conforming to Security Industry Association (SIA) false alarm prevention standards.
The three major causes of false alarms are:
- User errors
- Installation or service errors
- Equipment failures.
Alarm companies and alarm users must be responsible for the use and maintenance of alarm systems to help ensure prompt police response when an emergency really does exist.