Frequently Asked Questions
All residential and commercial locations in the City of Clearwater with an active alarm system are required by Ordinance (Municipal Code Ch. 5) to have an alarm permit. There is no fee for an alarm permit. Once registered the permit will renew annually at no cost. Alarm Owners are asked to update and maintain current contact information and notify the Alarm Program if the alarm is cancelled or if the Alarm Owner moves and no longer requires a permit.
Please complete the online registration form
You may also contact the Clearwater Alarm Program at 888-865-9770, Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm ET.
Alarm Registration & Renewal Fees
There is no fee for an alarm permit. Once registered the permit will renew automatically annually at no cost. Alarm Owners are asked to update and maintain current contact information and notify the Alarm Program if the alarm is cancelled or if the Alarm Owner moves and no longer requires a permit.
- Encourages the proper maintenance of alarm systems
- Reduces the number of false alarms
- Deploys Police Department resources in a more effective manner
- Decreases the potential danger created by false alarms for responding officers—and anyone the officers find at your premise
An Alarm user shall be subject to fines, counted by the number of false alarms within the calendar year.
| Permit | No Permit | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alarm Calls | Fine | Alarm Calls | Fine | |||
| 1st | No Fine | 1st | $50.00 | |||
| 2nd-5th | $50.00 | 2nd-5th | $100.00 | |||
| 6+ | $100.00 each | 6+ | $150.00 each | |||
False alarm means the activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, or the negligent or intentional misuse of the alarm system by the alarm user or an employee. It may be presumed that the alarm was false if the enforcement official finds, at the time of the fire response, no evidence of a fire-related emergency.
No, you will never be charged for an alarm activation that is not false. This ordinance allows charges for false alarms only.
The alarm ordinance is posted online on this website - CHAPTER 5 - ALARM SYSTEMS
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 APS/CitySupport and secured by the alarm user: Clearwater Alarm Program
*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, monitoring call logs, 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 thirty (15) calendar days of the notice imposing the charge
Please email a notification of cancellation noting the permit number or alarm location address to: clearwaterfl@citysupport.org.