Frequently Asked Questions
Fines allow the City to recover a portion of the costs associated with responding to false alarms.
A false alarm is any alarm signal which causes a police department response when an emergency situation does not exist. Excessive false alarms are defined as more than one false alarm within a 365 day period at a permitted site, and any false alarm at a non-permitted site.
If you have an alarm system, you are required by the City of Culver City to have an alarm permit. If you have multiple alarm systems, a permit is required for each alarm.
Yes. If you are a new owner of an alarm system, you are required to obtain a new permit in your name.
Yes. Anytime there is a change in ownership of the alarm system, a new alarm permit is required.
Alarm permits are required to be renewed annually.
The cost of an alarm permit is $18 for a monitored alarm and $10 for a non monitored alarm.
The annual renewal fee of an alarm permit is $18 for monitored and $10 for non monitored.
Fines Explained
| Police Alarms | 1st False Alarm in Permit Year | 2nd False Alarm in Permit Year | 3+ False Alarms in Permit Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permitted Alarm | No Charge | $120.00 - Waived upon completing alarm school | $235.00 Each | |
| Non-Permitted Alarm | $235.00 - Waived if permit paid within 30 days | $235.00 | $235.00 Each | |
| Suspended or Revoked Permit | $235.00 | $235.00 | $235.00 Each |
Service Charge for Late Payment of False Alarm Charge $15.00
Permit holders are given one false alarm response within a permit year at no charge and an opportunity to have the second false alarm fee waived upon completion of alarm school. Non-Permitted residents are charged false alarm fees beginning with the first false alarm unless a permit is registered within thirty days.
Yes. Ordinance 11.04.015 requires residences and business owners with alarm systems to obtain and maintain an annual permit and reimburse the City for excessive false security alarms.
APPEALING A FALSE ALARM RESPONSE CHARGE
*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, etc).
*Submit via email using the Contact Us page.
*Be sure to include Permit License #, alarm location address, and incident date(s) in question.
*A deposit in the amount of the false alarm response charge (or provide proof of a financial inability to deposit the false alarm response charge) is required before Appeals will be reviewed
*Submit within fifteen (15) calendar days of the notice imposing the charge.
If there is no longer active alarm service in your name at this location please notify us in writing by sending an email to culvercityca@citysupport.org with the date of cancellation and the alarm company of record.