Application for Alarm System Permit
San Diego Municipal Code § 33.3708
in effect§33.3708 Application for Alarm System Permit
(a) Any person applying for an alarm system permit shall submit to the Chief of Police, on a form provided by the Chief of Police, a legibly written application containing the following information:
(1) Name, address and telephone number of the alarm user (including separate mailing address if applicable);
(2) Classification of the alarm location as residential or commercial;
(3) Alarm system type (e.g., burglary, robbery, silent, audible);
(4) Area covered by alarm system;
(5) Name, address, and telephone number of an authorized responder; and
(6) Name, address, and telephone number, Business Tax Certificate, and state license number of the alarm business that will monitor the alarm system, if any.
(b) All permit fees must be paid at the time the alarm system permit application is filed.
(c) Each permit application must be accompanied by a signed certification by the alarm user and alarm business stating the following:
(1) The date of the installation, conversion, or takeover, whichever is applicable;
(2) The name, address and telephone number, City Business Tax Certificate number and state license of the alarm business installing the alarm system, or performing the conversion or takeover of the alarm system, if any;
(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the alarm business or alarm agent responsible for providing repair service to the alarm system, if any;
(4) That written operating instructions for the alarm system, and all necessary information regarding the proper use of the alarm system have been provided to the alarm user applying for the permit; and
(5) That the alarm business has provided to the alarm user instruction on how to avoid false alarms, including instruction on enhanced call verification, and the possible consequences of false alarms.
(d) Failure to provide any of the required information is sufficient cause to deny the application for a permit.
(e) An application will not be considered complete if at the time the application is being considered any fees assessed in accordance with this Division have not been paid.
(f) If an alarm user has one alarm system protecting more than one address, a separate permit shall be required for each address.
(g) Each alarm user permit application must be accompanied by an authorization form, provided by the Chief of Police and signed by the alarm user, providing that in the event an alarm user’s alarm system generates a call for service the alarm user agrees to:
(1) Take responsibility for securing the premises if the building is found in an unsecured condition or becomes unsecured as a result of entry by police officers. A building is in an unsecured condition when it satisfies the definition of unsecured structure in section 54.1202 of this Code.
Ch. Art. Div. 3 3 37 8
(2) Authorize the City and its contractor to enter the alarm user’s property and abate the unsecured structure if (i) the alarm user or authorized responder is unavailable, unable, or unwilling to take responsibility for the premises within thirty minutes after City personnel or designee attempts to make contact; or (ii) the police officer must respond to another call for service, complaint, or incident before the alarm user or authorized responder is able to arrive at the scene.
(3) Authorize the City and its contractor to bill the costs of abating the unsecured structure to the alarm user and that any such costs shall become the indebtedness of the alarm user. In accordance with sections 54.1209 and 54.1210 of this Code, after receiving notice of the abatement, the alarm user has the right to appeal the abatement action. For the purpose of this Section, abatement has the same meaning as in section 11.0210 of this Code.
(“Alarm Systems - Prohibition of Direct Dial Telephone Devices” added 6-29-1981 by O-15530 N.S., effective 10-1-1981.)
(Amended 9-8-2004 by O-19321 N.S., effective 5-7-2005.)
(Amended 11-25-2014 by O-20438 N.S.; effective 12-25-2014.)
(Renumbered from former Section 33.3707, retitled from “Application for Alarm User Permit” to “Application for Alarm System Permit,” and amended 5-5-2017 by O-20819 N.S.; effective 6-4-2017.)
(Amended 10-12-2022 by O-21545 N.S.; effective 11-11-2022.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter03/Ch03Art03Division37.pdf#page=7Fetched: 10/28/2026