Why do I have to pay for an alarm permit?
Contrary to what we believe about routine police response as part of a public service, alarm activations are considered a private service. A service forces municipalities all over the country to write ordinances in order to keep the false alarms activations under control. Over 80% of false alarms are the result of human error, and 50% of those occur when the alarm is being turned on and off
How may I obtain an alarm permit?
An alarm permit may be obtained as follows:
1.
Use the online registration
2.
Download an alarm system application
3. At the Alarm Ordinance Unit office. Refer to the office address to left of this page. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Payment can be made using cash, money order, check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard)
What is the cost to register my alarm system?
$82.50 (permit fee of $79.00 plus administrative fee of $3.50)
How long is a permit valid?
A permit is valid from October 1st through the following September 30th. This is known as a permit year. Towards the end of the permit year (around the middle of August), a renewal invoice is sent out
Is cost of a registration prorated after the permit year starts?
No. The initial cost to register a permit is $82.50 regardless of which day the alarm system is registered between October 1st and September 30th
How many false alarm activations allowed from October 1st to September 30th without imposing a fine?
Two (2) alarm activations
When do I have to renew my alarm system permit?
All permits will expire at midnight on September 30th. A renewal invoice will be mailed to each existing registered alarm system during the month of August. To avoid receiving an expired fine ($240.00), payment for the renewal invoice is expected by October 1st
Must I renew alarm system every year?
If you receive a renewal invoice and you are no longer using your alarm system or no longer at your physical location, please notify the Alarm Ordinance Unit of your decision so your permit and invoice can be canceled. Otherwise submit payment for the renewal invoice a couple of weeks before October 1st. Refer to the 'How do I cancel my alarm permit?' question for details on canceling your account
Why do I pay $82.50 for renewal this year when I paid $30.00 last year?
Your prior year’s activation record determines the current year’s renewal fee (refer to next question)
What is the cost of renewal?
The cost of your renewal depends on the following:
No prior year activations results in a renewal fee of $30.00 (26.50 renewal fee, $3.50 administrative fee)
1 or more prior year activations results in a renewal fee of $82.50 ($79.00 renewal fee, $3.50 administrative fee)
Additionally, non-payment of a renewal invoice after September 30th will result in a $26.50 late fee being added to the invoice
The initial $30.00 renewal fee plus $26.50 late fee equals a new invoice amount of $56.50
The initial $82.50 renewal fee plus $26.50 late fee equals a new invoice amount of $109.00
Furthermore, if the MPD responds to an alarm system activation where the permit has expired (that is, non-payment as of October 1st) will result in an expired fine invoice of $240.00 being generated and mailed to you
Can I transfer my alarm permit from one location to another?
No. If you are moving you must cancel your registration at your old location. If you are moving to a location within the City of Miami, you must re-register the alarm system at your new location
Can I appeal false activations?
Upon receipt of any False Alarm Activation Notice or false alarm fine invoice from the City, you have ten (10) days, orally or in writing, to request a hearing from the Alarm Ordinance Unit. A hearing in your favor can remove the false alarm from your record
How do I cancel my alarm permit?
It is necessary for you to notify the Alarm Ordinance Unit and the alarm monitoring company in order to keep correct account records. This will avoid further billing under the account holder. Notification of cancellation must be made in writing and can be made in person, sent by US mail, faxed to our office or in an email
Alarm Ordinance Unit
Miami Police Department
Alarm Ordinance Unit
400 NW 2nd AV
Office 208
Miami, FL 33128
Finance Department
Department of Police
Alarm Ordinance Unit
P.O. Box 016777
Miami, FL 33101
FAX
(305) 603-6599
Email
BurglarAlarms@miami-police.org
I have a False Alarm invoice from the Fire Department. What do I do?
You can differentiate which agency sent you a false alarm invoice simply by looking at the invoice itself. Refer to the following images for the difference. If you have a Fire false alarm invoice, go to
The FPB web site
Example Alarm Ordinance Unit False Alarm Invoice
Example Fire Prevention Bureau False Alarm Invoice
