Police Department

• Can I appeal a false alarm assessment?

  Yes, you may appeal a false alarm in the following situations:

   1.     An actual crime occurred but was not discovered at the time of police response.

  ·        Complete a police report and call the Alarm Unit with new case number to appeal the fee.

  ·        If you need to complete a report, contact Tempe Police at (480) 350-8311.

  2.     Multiple false alarms occur within a 24 hour period and were caused by a system malfunction.

  ·        The system must be repaired within 72 hours and no further false alarms occur 30 days after the repair.

  ·        The repair documentation must be mailed, faxed or emailed to the Tempe Police Alarm Unit.

  3.     The false alarm was caused by an electrical storm, or a power/phone connection interruption beyond your control.

  ·        The appeal must provide documentation such as a weather report or Utility Company Service Interruption Report.

  Please complete the False Alarm Appeal Form.  Appeals must be received within 15 days of the invoice date.   Please send your appeal by mail, fax or email to the Tempe Police Alarm Unit.

• Can I manage my alarm permit account online?

  Yes, you can sign in to your account online at any time.  You can make changes or updates, review your permit account history, pay fines and/or fees, and complete your annual renewal online.

  Please Note:  If you have an alarm user permit number but have not yet accessed your account online please contact the Alarm Unit via email to have the account set up for online access.  Please be sure to included your alarm user permit # in the subject line.

• Do I have to register my car alarm?

  No, car alarms do not need to be registered.

• Do I have to renew my alarm user permit?

  Yes, you are required to renew and update the information contained in your alarm permit annually by returning the renewal notice on or before the due date as stated on the notice.

  Your alarm permit will expire one year from the date of issue. A renewal notice will be sent to you approximately 30 days prior to the expiration date on your permit. Currently, there is no annual renewal fee for residential accounts; however, as stated above, you are required to renew your alarm user permit.  For businesses, the annual renewal fee is $15.

• How do I add/update my contact information?

  You can make changes to your permit account, at any time, online.  Click here to sign in to your permit account.  If you do not have access to a computer or the internet, please submit any changes to:

   

  City of Tempe

  Alarm Unit

  P.O. Box 5002 MS 05-1

  Tempe, AZ  85280-5002

   

• How do I cancel my alarm user permit account?

  If you have moved from your home or business or are no longer utilizing an alarm system, please contact the Alarm Unit at (480)350-8778 or by email. 
  

• How do I register my alarm system?

  If you are not registered with the Tempe Police Department Alarm Unit, please complete and return a registration form along with the required registration fee and mail to:

  City of Tempe

  Attn: Alarm Unit

  PO Box 90049

  Prescott, AZ 86304-9049

  Please make checks payable to City of Tempe.  Please DO NOT send cash. 

  
  

• What if my alarm is activated accidently?

  If you have an alarm activation, please contact your alarm company immediately to provide your password or passcode to cancel an alarm activation. 

  Permitted, in good standing false alarm activations within a 365 day period will result as follows:

  • Residential False Alarms:
    • 1 - $0
    • 2 - $0
    • 3 - $50
    • 4 - $100
    • 5 - $150
  • Commercial False Alarms:
    • 1 - $0
    • 2 - $50
    • 3 - $100
    • 4 -$150
    • 5 - $200
      

  Each additional alarm will be increased in $50 increments. This is per alarm.

  Non-Compliant, false alarm activations:

  • Residential and Commercial False Alarms:
    • 1 - $0
    • 2 - $100
    • 3 - $200
    • 4 - $300
    • 5 - $400

  Each additional alarm will be increased in $100 increments until permit is made compliant.

   

• What is the cost of the alarm registration?

  The cost of an alarm registration is as follows:

  • Residential Property: $10
  • Commercial Property: $15

• What will happen if I do not pay the alarm fines?

  If payment is not received by the due date listed on the invoice, your account may be sent to a collection agency for handling and you will incur additional fines and/or fees.  

• Where can I obtain a copy of the ordinance?

  The alarm ordinance is posted online HERE.

• Where do I mail payments?

  City of Tempe
  Police Department Alarm Unit
  P.O. Box 90049
  Prescott, AZ  86304-9049

  Please make checks and/or money orders payable to City of Tempe.  DO NOT SEND CASH.

  If you are unable to mail in your payment(s), you may appear in person, at Tempe Police Department Headquarters located at 120 E 5th St, Tempe, AZ  85281.  You may also pay online. 

  Please Note: If you have an alarm user permit number but have not yet accessed your account online please contact the Alarm Unit via email to have the account set up for online access.

  We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express online. 

• Who can I call if I have additional questions or comments?

  The Alarm Unit can be reach at (480) 350-8778, Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time or you can send us an email.  Please be sure to included your alarm user permit # in the subject line
  

• Who is required to have an alarm permit/license?

  Everyone operating an alarm system inside the city limits is required to register their alarm system.

• Will I be charged for alarm activations that are not false?

  No, you will never be charged for an alarm activation that is not false, this ordinance allows charges for false alarms only.