In accordance with Manhattan Beach Municipal Code 3.56 any residence or business that has a functioning alarm system must obtain an Alarm System Permit. Maintaining a valid alarm system permit also gives Police and Emergency Personnel contact telephone numbers in case of an emergency. It also gives the Police a list of responsible parties who can respond to the alarm location in the event of a break-in.

As of July 1, 2021, the City of Manhattan Beach has established an agreement with a new alarm program administrator - Alarm Program Systems, LLC / City Support to serve as Alarm Administrator.  This vendor will provide alarm program administration services, including permit registration and billing.  Alarm Permit holders can now manage their alarm permits, fees, and billing information online.

To manage your alarm permit online, view fees, and learn more, please visit the City of Manhattan Beach Alarm Program Website. 

Alarm Program Contact Information / City Support

Phone:  Toll Free (888) 865-9770   Monday through Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Mailing Address:  Manhattan Beach Alarm Program, PO Box 3255, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Email

Alarm System Permit Fee

Commercial and Residential                     $60.00 

Annual Permit Renewal
(Permit expires December 31st, regardless of when the permit was first obtained)

Commercial and Residential                     $30.00 per calendar year

Fine for not having an Alarm System Permit

Commercial and Residential                     $190.00

What is a False Alarm?

A False Alarm is the activation of any alarm which results in a response by the Fire Department or Police Department where the activation of the alarm is caused by the failure, malfunction, improper installation, improper or lack of maintenance, negligence or intentional misuse and there is no safety issue and/or no intrusion by unauthorized persons.

_______________________________________________________

False Alarm Fact

Since the introduction of the False Alarm Program in 2004,
the number of false alarms has been reduced by over 60%.

_______________________________________________________

What does the False Alarm Program do?

• 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 premises

How does the False Alarm Program work?

In an instance where the call turns out to be a false alarm the City will not charge for the first response in a calendar year. This will allow the alarm owner time to fix any problems with their alarm system.

False Alarms Fee Schedule per Calendar Year (January 1st - December 31st)

	Burglary Alarm Fine	Panic/Robbery Alarm Fine *
1st false alarm	No charge	$290.00
2nd false alarm	$190.00	$435.00
3rd false alarm	$285.00	$580.00
4th false alarm	$380.00	$580.00
5th false alarm	$380.00	$580.00
6th false alarm	$380.00	$580.00
7th false alarm	Police response suspended

 

Charges apply to both Residential and Commercial Alarm owners

* Note: There are no free false alarms for Panic and/or Robbery alarms. 

The program is designed to give ample chances to Manhattan Beach alarm owners to fix any problems with their alarm system. The people most affected by this program are repeat offenders who do not fix their alarm system.

Alarm User Awareness Class (Alarm School)

A burglar or panic/robbery alarm user may attend Alarm User Awareness class (“Alarm School”) to obtain a refund for one paid false alarm activation fine. Alarm school must be completed within one calendar year of false alarm fine invoicing.  For more information, visit the City of Manhattan Beach Alarm Program website.

Appeals Process (Contest A False Alarm Charge)

Any person subject to a fine or other administrative penalty pursuant to this chapter shall have the right to request an Administrative Hearing before an impartial Hearing Officer within thirty (30) calendar days of notice of the imposition of fines and/or response costs under this chapter. To request such a hearing, submit a written request as to why the charge and/or occurrence should be waived or removed from your account, along with any supporting documentation (police report, alarm company documentation, etc).

The costs of the administrative hearing shall be assessed to the responsible person in addition to any other fines and penalties in the event that the citation or imposition of costs is upheld.

Send Appeal Request by Email to the City of Manhattan Beach Alarm Administrator. Be sure to include Permit License #, alarm location address, and incident date(s) in question.

The Alarm Administrator will forward all documents provided by the Alarm user, Installation company or Monitoring company to the Manhattan Beach Police Department designee to review and render a decision.

What can you do to reduce false alarms?

• Make sure those operating your alarm are familiar with alarm system operations.
• Secure doors and windows before turning on system.
• Beware of changes in the environment (i.e., new animals, design changes, seasonal decorations, plants, etc).
• Notify monitoring facility of any and all changes (i.e., houseguests, name changes, change in phone number or contact information, new employees, termination of employees, etc).
• Equipment should be routinely inspected and maintained by qualified personnel.

What are the most frequent human errors that cause false alarms?

• Use of incorrect keypad codes.
• Failure to train other authorized users.
• Failure to secure doors and windows before turning on alarm.
• Failure to notify monitoring facility of unscheduled openings or closings (for businesses using set schedules).
• Failure to update authorized personnel list with monitoring facility.

What are the most frequent equipment problems that cause false alarms?

• Improper application or installation of interior motion detectors.
• Improper application or installation of outdoor beams.
• Improper charging or checking of batteries.
• Faulty equipment (i.e., panels, detectors, key pads, etc)

Contact:
City of Manhattan Beach Alarm Administrator
Toll Free 1 (888) 865-9770
Email the Alarm Administrator