Alarm Permit in Charlotte, NC
Permit Summary
Alarm Permit Basics
Alarm Systems Covered
The program covers alarm systems designed to signal illegal or unauthorized entry or other activity requiring immediate police attention, including electronic burglar alarms. It does not cover motor-vehicle alarms, fire alarms, domestic violence alarms, or alarms designed to elicit a medical response.
Who Must Register
The alarm user is responsible for obtaining the permit. The ordinance defines the alarm user as the person or entity owning or leasing the alarm system, or on whose premises the alarm system is maintained.
Monitoring Rules
An alarm company requesting police dispatch must provide the alarm system's permit number. Automatic dial protection devices that report a recorded message directly to CMPD are prohibited. CMPD states that police cannot respond to an alarm at the address unless the alarm company has the permit number when requesting dispatch.
Registration & Renewal
Registration Timing
A covered alarm system must be permitted before use. When possession of the premises transfers, the new person in possession must file an alarm-permit application within 30 days.
Permit Validity
A permit is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.
Renewal Rules
The permit must be renewed to remain valid after its 12-month term. CMPD directs existing permit holders to use the Charlotte Alarm Management Service account to renew or update the permit.
Multiple System Rules
If one alarm user has one or more alarm systems protecting two or more separate structures with different addresses, a separate permit is required for each structure.
Transfer / Change Rules
Alarm permits are non-transferable. A new person taking possession of the premises must apply within 30 days. When information on the permit application changes, the alarm user must provide corrected information to the City within 30 days.
Alarm Company Requirements
Alarm Company Rules
The ordinance defines an alarm company as a person subject to North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 74D licensing requirements and engaged in selling, leasing, installing, servicing, or monitoring alarm systems. When requesting CMPD dispatch, the alarm company must provide the alarm system's permit number.
False Alarms & Penalties
False Alarm Allowance
The first two false alarms in a permit year have no listed civil penalty; penalties begin with the third false alarm. An activation during testing is not treated as a false alarm if the user first notifies and receives permission from the alarm company or its designee to test the system. Certain unusually violent natural conditions or other extraordinary circumstances outside the user's reasonable control are also excluded from the false-alarm definition.
False Alarm Penalties
Within a permit year, the third through fifth false alarms may be assessed at $50 each; the sixth and seventh at $100 each; the eighth and ninth at $250 each; and the tenth and each additional false alarm at $500 each. Civil penalties are due within 30 days of the invoice.
Unpermitted Alarm Penalty
A violation of the alarm-permit requirement may be enforced with a $100 civil penalty. CMPD also states that police cannot respond to an alarm at the address unless the alarm company provides the permit number when requesting dispatch.
Dispatch & Appeals
Dispatch / Response Rules
CMPD requires the alarm company to provide the permit number when requesting police dispatch. Failure to pay a civil penalty within 30 days of the invoice results in discontinuance of police response to alarm signals at the permitted premises until payment is received. CMPD may also discontinue response to what appears to be a runaway alarm. An alarm is not treated as a false alarm when the alarm user or agent cancels law-enforcement response before officers arrive.
Appeal Rules
Civil-penalty assessments and other enforcement decisions may be appealed by filing a written notice of appeal with the City within 30 days after notification. CMPD uses an administrative appeal process. The hearing officer applies a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard and may dismiss or reduce civil penalties or reverse another enforcement decision where warranted. The hearing officer's decision is subject to superior-court review by certiorari.
What Alarm Users Need to Know
Requirements
A covered alarm system must have an Alarm Permit before it is used. The alarm user must apply through the City/CMPD process, keep application information current, and provide the issued permit number to the alarm company. An audible alarm system may not sound continuously for more than 15 minutes.
Exemptions
The City false-alarm ordinance excludes alarms installed in motor vehicles, fire alarms, domestic violence alarms, and alarms designed to elicit a medical response from the alarm-system definition covered by this police alarm-permit program.
Documents / Information
No separate document upload is identified for the standard online registration. The application requests the alarmed-location address and location type, responsible-party and billing information, contact/keyholder information, monitoring/alarm-company information, and alarm details.