Frequently Asked Questions
The ordinance was adopted with the intention of lessening on the frequency of unnecessary police response, which is taxing on law enforcement recourses. Over 98% of the alarm signals in the City of Novato end up being false alarms.
The alarm ordinance is posted online on this website - Ordinance No. 14-18
Please complete the online registration form
You may also contact the Novato Police Department - False Alarm Reduction Unit at 888-865-9770 (Monday - Friday, between 8am & 5pm PST)
Yes, they are. Across the nation, the growth of alarm system ownership has resulted in a tremendous number of false alarms. The response of false alarms has created an additional burden on law enforcement agencies. Nationwide, over 98% percent of all burglar alarms police respond too are false alarms.
Everyone operating an intrusion detection alarm system inside the city limits is required to register their alarm system.
Commercial / Residential Permit Registration Fee: $50 (One Time Fee)
Commercial / Residential Annual Permit renewal Fee: $0
Once permitted, the alarm location will renew automatically with no fee.
| Permitted False Alarm | Fee | Unpermitted False Alarm | Fee | |||||
| 1 | $0 | 1 | $85 | |||||
| 2 | $0 | 2 | $85 | |||||
| 3 | $100 | 3 | $185 | |||||
| 4 | $150 | 4 | $235 | |||||
| 5+ | $250/ea | 5+ | $335/ea |
False Alarms are accumulated during the course of a calendar year (Jan1-Dec 31).
No, you will never be charged for an alarm activation that is not false.
A false alarm is defined in the ordinance as the activation of an alarm system when, upon observation by law enforcement, there is no evidence of unauthorized entry, robbery, or other such crime attempted in or on the premises.
Yes, you can pay for any fees due on your account via this website by clicking on the home tab and logging in with credentials initiated by CitySupport and secured by the alarm user.
Novato Police Department - False Alarm Program
P.O. Box 603
Novato, CA 94948
Please contact us via email and let us know the date alarm service was cancelled and with which alarm company.
APPEALING A FALSE ALARM RESPONSE CHARGE
*Submit a written request/statement as to why you feel the charge and/or occurrence should be waived or removed from your account, along with any supporting documentation (police reports, alarm company documentation, etc.)
*Submit via email using the Contact Us page.
*Be sure to include Permit License #, alarm location address, and incident date(s) in question.
*Submit within fifteen (15) calendar days of the notice imposing the charge.