Alarm System Permits & False Alarms

There are no charges for the first two alarms within a calendar year. The following charges will be applicable for the third and subsequent alarms:

• Third false alarm ($50)
• Fourth false alarm ($75)
• Fifth false alarm ($100)
• Six and each thereafter within a calendar year ($125)

Failure to Respond

$100 service charge if owner or tenant or designee fails to arrive at premises within one hour of being notified by the police to respond regarding an alarm activation.

Failure to Silence

$100 service charge if owner or tenant or designee fails to silence audible signal, loud enough to be heard by any person outside the property, within 30 minutes of being notified by the Police to respond.

Paying Charges

To pay police false alarm charges online, log in to your account through the Chesterfield County alarm portal.

You can also mail a check, made out to Treasurer, Chesterfield County, to:
Chesterfield County Alarm Ordinance Permit and Payment System
PO Box 76537
Baltimore, MD 21275-6537

For questions about false alarm charges and payments, call 855-694-8279 during normal business hours.

Revocations

Failure to pay any service charges within 30 days shall constitute grounds for overturning an alarm system permit by the Chief of Police. A late payment penalty of ten percent or $10, whichever is greater, will be added to the account upon referral to the county debt collection division.

Interest on the principal amount due and penalty will accrue at the rate of ten percent annually from the first day of the month following the day the account is referred to the debt collection division. Continued operation after revocation will constitute a class 4 misdemeanor carrying a penalty of up to $250.

Reinstatement

To reinstate a revoked alarm permit a full payment of all owed must be made.

Appeals Process

Log in to your account through the Chesterfield County alarm portal and submit an appeal electronically within 10 says of receiving the notice. You may upload supporting documents as needed.

A letter to the Alarm Administrator must be submitted within 10 days of receiving the service fee bill. Send to:

Chesterfield County Alarm Ordinance Permit and Payment System
PO Box 76537
Baltimore, MD 21275-6537

This letter must contain the following:

• Address
• Name
• Telephone number
• The reasons for disputing the fee
• Any other written evidence which might justify a change in the assessment

The Alarm Administrator will consider the evidence and render a written decision within 10 days of receipt of the appeal request, unless an extension has been agreed upon by both parties.

The Alarm Administrator can waive, rescind in whole or in part, a service fee if he/she believes there is insufficient evidence to fully support the imposition of said service fee.

Alarm Systems

Any assembly of equipment or a device designed to protect premises by detecting and signaling occurrences such as:

• Attempted burglary
• Robbery
• Unauthorized intrusion
• Other criminal activity or hazard

For the purposes to attract the attention and response of county police, including alarm bells, horns, siren and lights, which are either audible or visible beyond the lot lines of the protected premises. Does not include vehicle alarm or fire alarm systems.

False Alarm

Any communication generated by an alarm system that results in a response by police personnel and after an investigation reveals no evidence or indication of criminal activity or other hazard.

False alarms include alarm signals that are:

• Activated negligently or accidentally
• Actual cause is not determined
• Purposely activated to summon the police in non-emergency situations
• A result of faulty, malfunctioning or improperly installed or maintained equipment

False alarms are not included. Signals activated by weather conditions or other causes which are identified and determined by the Chief of Police to be beyond the control of the owner are not included.