About Your Emergency Alarm System

1. Obtaining the Required Permits:
You will need to obtain a building permit to install your emergency alarm system, as well as an alarm permit for operating and maintaining it on an on-going basis.

Prior to installing your alarm system, you or your installer must obtain a building permit from the City's Building Division. To download the Building Permit application form, please click here and follow the instructions on how to download, complete and submit the permit application.

Chapter 93 of the City's Code of Ordinances requires that all emergency alarm systems must be registered with the City. To register your alarm system and obtain the required alarm permit, you will need to complete and submit (by mail or in person) an “Alarm Registration” form. You may obtain this form by calling Customer Service at (954) 921-3246, or download it from the City's website. To download the Alarm Registration form, please click here and follow directions.

2. Submitting the Alarm Registration Form to Obtain Your Alarm Permit:
Upon completing the Alarm Registration form, please mail or deliver it, along with your payment for the appropriate registration fee, to:

Treasury Services Division/Alarm Registration
City of Hollywood
2600 Hollywood Boulevard, Room 103
Hollywood, Florida 33020

3. Determining Your Registration Fee:
Your annual fee is based on whether you are a residential or non-residential (commercial, industrial or other organization type) user.

If you are a residential user, the annual fee is $25.00. If you are a non-residential user, the annual fee is $35.00.

The permit year is from October 1 through September 30. If you are applying for your permit during the last six months of the permit year (between April 1 and September 30), the annual fee is discounted by 50%. Therefore, residential users will pay $12.50, and non-residential users will pay $17.50.

4. Posting Your Decal:
Upon submitting your application form and making the necessary payment, you will be mailed an alarm decal. Please affix the decal to a glass surface (typically your window) in a visible location so that it can be seen by the Police when responding to an activated alarm signal.

5. Customer Service:
If you need assistance in completing the Alarm Registration form, or have any questions related to the City's emergency alarm registration program, please call Customer Service at (954) 921-3246. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. You can also drop off your registration form and payment at the drive-through window on the north side of City Hall, or place it in the after-hours night drop box also located on the north side of City Hall next to the drive-through window.

6. Avoiding Fines:
Please register your alarm promptly. Hollywood's Code of Ordinances subjects a person to legal proceedings and a fine of up to $1,000 per day for maintaining or operating an alarm system without a permit.

7. Annual Renewal:
Your registration is valid from October 1 through September 30 and must be renewed annually in accordance with Chapter 93 of the City's Code of Ordinances. Once registered, you will receive an invoice each year for the annual fee. If you are a residential user, the annual fee is $25.00. If you are a non-residential user, the annual fee is $35.00.

8. Maintaining Your Alarm System to Prevent “False” Alarms:
Unfortunately, the Hollywood Police Department responds to hundreds of alarm signals each year that are the result of faulty or malfunctioning alarm equipment, or user error. These “false” alarms place an unnecessary strain on Police Department resources, waste taxpayers' dollars and hinder Police response to other true emergency situations. We are requesting your assistance in learning how to properly use your alarm system, and to ensure that your alarm system is properly maintained.

9. Helpful Tips to Avoid False Alarms:

• Have your alarm company regularly check and service your alarm system
• Notify your alarm company immediately if you think your system isn't working properly.
• Make sure everyone who uses your alarm system understands how it works.
• You may cancel an alarm signal that you know is false by immediately contacting your monitoring company and providing the correct security code before the Police arrive. A false alarm report will not be issued if the alarm is cancelled before the Police arrive.
• Before activating your alarm system when you leave your premises, lock all protected doors and windows, and keep pets, balloons and fans away from monitoring sensor areas.
• If you re-enter your home because you have forgotten something, turn off the alarm and reset it when you leave again.
• Know how to “clear” a wrong code if you make a mistake on the keypad.

10. Avoiding Mandatory Service Charges for False Alarms:
Unfortunately, false alarms can cost you money! When the Police respond to more than two false alarms at your address in a permit year (October 1 through September 30), you will be charged a mandatory service charge per false alarm as follows:

If you incur a mandatory service charge for a false alarm, please pay it promptly to avoid further collection action by the City including legal recourse.

11. To Appeal Your Citation:
If you believe you have been cited for a false alarm occurrence in error, please call the Records Supervisor at the Hollywood Police Department at (954) 967-4480 to appeal your citation. Proof of error may be requested.

12. What Should You Expect from Your Alarm Company?

• Your alarm company must obtain a building permit before installing a new alarm system.
• Your alarm company should provide all customers with a written instruction manual.
• Your alarm company should provide training for all customers on system operating procedures.
• Your alarm company must be properly licensed by the State of Florida.
• Your alarm company should have emergency service available 24/7.
• Your alarm company should be ready to proactively assist in eliminating the cause of each and every false alarm occurring on your premises.

13. Reminder Notice About Automatic Deactivation:
Please be aware that it is unlawful to maintain an audible alarm system in the City of Hollywood that does not automatically deactivate within 30 minutes! Please ensure your alarm will deactivate within 30 minutes if triggered. Failure to have automatic deactivation within this time may result in the issuance of a fine.

Also, we encourage alarm users who do not have a central station hookup to obtain this critical service from a reliable alarm company to enhance the security of your home or business. Having a central station hookup will ensure that the police are promptly notified if your alarm is activated.

14. REMEMBER!!!

• FALSE ALARMS TAKE POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS AWAY FROM REAL EMERGENCIES!
• FALSE ALARMS CAN LEAD NEIGHBORS TO IGNORE YOUR ALARM WHEN IT GOES OFF AND NOT ASSIST YOU IN A TRUE EMERGENCY!
• FALSE ALARMS CAN COST YOU MONEY! THE CITY OF HOLLYWOOD ASSESSES MANDATORY SERVICE CHARGES FOR EXCESSIVE FALSE ALARMS!