Concord, CA 94524

Frequently Asked Questions


Make sure that you immediately report your false alarm to your alarm company, so they can cancel with police dispatch prior to police arrival to your home or business. Ensure that everyone in your household or business has been properly trained on your alarm system. Make sure your alarm system is in good working order and inspected periodically by your alarm company. Make sure the Alarm Company has good contact numbers for you. If you use a mobile phone as a contact number, be sure to input that number into your mobile phone so you answer when they call.  

Every residence or business operating an alarm system in Lorain must obtain an alarm permit. In order to reduce the number of false alarms and increase time for police officers to respond to actual emergencies and other legitimate calls for service, the City of Lorain has passed a new alarm ordinance. Chapter 705 “Automatic Alarm Systems” regulates alarms within the city and was passed on April 1, 2019. Your Alarm Company is required to register your alarm and administer the one time permit fee of $15.00. Please call (888) 865-9770 or email lorainoh@citysupport.org before registering your alarm system to confirm that a permit has not already been created for you.

Your Alarm Company is required to register your alarm and administer the one time permit fee of $15.00. Please call (888) 865-9770 or email lorainoh@citysupport.org before registering your alarm system to confirm that a permit has not already been created for you.

Residential and Commercial Properties: $15.00 one time permit fee - no annual renewal.

All delinquent fees are subject to a 1.5% monthly interest rate.

The City of Lorain created the alarm ordinance with the support of City Council. The ordinance defines all fee related items.

Yes, they are. Across the nation, the growth of alarm system ownership has resulted in a tremendous number of false alarms. The response to false alarms has created an additional burden on law enforcement agencies. Nationwide, approximately 99% of all burglar alarms police respond to are false. 

The City of Lorain wants to substantially reduce the number of false alarms that the police department responds to, thereby freeing up police response to respond to emergencies.

No, you will never be charged for an alarm activation that is not false. This ordinance allows charges for false alarms only.

FALSE ALARM COUNT: PERMITTED 

Rolling 365 Days

ACTIONS TAKENFINES
1Written notice and warningNone
2Written notice and warningNone
3 -5Written notice and warning$35.00
6 - 7Written notice and warning$75.00
8+Written notice and nuisance warning$100.00
Upon the 8th false alarmThe Lorain Police Department shall declare the alarm to be nuisance* and the alarm site may be placed on verified response.

Any outstanding fees due within 60 days*

All delinquent fees are subject to a 1.5% monthly interest rate.

   

FALSE ALARM: UNPERMITTED

Rolling 365 Days

ACTIONS TAKENFINES
1Written notice and warning to permitNone
2+Written notice and nuisance warning$100.00
Upon the 2nd false alarmThe Lorain Police Department shall declare the alarm to be nuisance** and the alarm site may be placed on verified response.

Any outstanding fees due within 60 days**

All delinquent fees are subject to a 1.5% monthly interest rate.

*REFER TO ALARM ORDINANCE 705.10 B  
**REFER TO ALARM ORDINANCE 705.10 C  

Yes, you can pay online at this website by going to the home tab. You will need to use your permit number and pin# or password you've created. 

Lorain Police Department - Alarm Unit  P.O. Box 6112  Concord , CA 94524

No, car alarms do not need to be registered. 

Upon receipt of any false alarm notification from the Lorain Police Department, the alarm user may elect to respond in writing to explain the actual cause of such alarm. Such response shall be made to the issuing agency within ten (10) days from the date of the notification. If the Chief of the issuing agency upholds the false alarm determination, the alarm user shall have thirty (30) days from the date of notification in which to request an appeal to the Housing Board of Appeals.   

The appeal process shall follow the appeal procedures for the Housing Board of Appeals as outlined in Section 1521.04 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Lorain.

Be sure to include the following with your appeal:

• Your name

• Your email address (if applicable)

• The alarm location

• Date of the false alarm

• Your permit number

• Reasons for the appeal

• Any supporting evidence

Failure to pay the alarm fees is a violation of City Ordinance and may result in suspension of police response. Unpaid fees may be sent to a collection agency.

All delinquent fees are subject to a 1.5% monthly interest rate.

Upon the eighth false alarm, the Lorain Police Department shall declare the alarm to be a nuisance. The Lorain Police Department may not respond to said alarm unless it has a verified response from the Alarm Installation/Monitoring Company that a call for service is required.

If your account has been suspended, you will be required to pay all outstanding fees, including returned payment fees, and provide satisfactory evidence your alarm system has been inspected and repaired. 

The alarm ordinance went into effect on April 03, 2019.

If you received a duplicate alarm invoice, please contact us at 888-865-9770, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT so we can remove the incorrect invoice(s). If you are directed to a voicemail box, please leave a message with your name, address, phone number and the account/permit numbers that need to be combined or deleted.  You can also email that same information to lorainoh@citysupport.org  

The alarm ordinance is posted online at this website. Lorain, OH Alarm Ordinance.

Call CitySupport / Alarm Program Systems at 888-865-9770, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m PT.