Riverside Police Department

Alarm Enforcement Unit

RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 5.58
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEMS
(Summary)

The purpose of this ordinance is to establish standards and controls to reduce the incidents of false alarm calls responded to by the Police Department. Important portions of the Alarm User’s Ordinance are synopsized herein.

DEFINITION:
False alarm means the activation of an alarm resulting from human error, a system malfunction, improper installation of the alarm system, or design deficiencies causing an alarm business or reporting party to summon the police when no evidence of a criminal offense or attempted criminal offense is found.

PERMITS:
No person shall install or cause to be installed, use, or maintain an alarm system on premises owned, rented or leased within the City without first having obtained an alarm user’s permit from the Police Department. A one-time application fee of $57 shall be paid as set forth by resolution of the City Council. No Online Applications/Payments are accepted at this time.

FALSE ALARMS:
The Police Department may declare an alarm system at a specific location to be a nuisance if such alarm system activates excessive false alarms. The City Council hereby finds and determines that three false alarms at a permitted location within a calendar year are excessive and thereby constitutes a public nuisance.

A higher false alarm penalty has been established for each additional false alarm during the same calendar year. The penalty has been established by resolution of the City Council. All penalties must be paid within thirty days from the date the invoice was rendered. Non-permitted locations are subject to a higher penalty schedule.

POLICE FALSE ALARM RESPONSE PENALTIES