| Question: | What is the cost of the alarm permit registration? |
| Answer: |
The initial permit fee are as follows:
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| Question: | Does my permit expire? |
| Answer: |
Yes, your permit expires annually on June 30th.
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| Question: | How do I renew my permit? |
| Answer: | Renewal reminders are mailed out every year around June 1st. Renewal payments are required to be paid before July 1st. |
| Question: | What does it cost to renew my permit? |
| Answer: |
Permit renewal fees are as follows:
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| Question: | What happens if I do not renew my permit? |
| Answer: | If you do not renew your permit, your alarm system will be considered unpermitted and will be subject to additional fees. Late payments will incur an additional fee. |
| Question: | Who is required to have an alarm permit/license? |
| Answer: | Everyone operating an alarm system inside the city limits is required to have a registered and active permit. Government buildings are exempt from paying the registration fee but must register their alarm system, as outlined in city ordinance 5729. |
| Question: | Where do the registration fees and alarm service fees go? |
| Answer: | A portion of the fees are used to cover the operating costs and maintain a reserve of $100,000.00 plus %10 of the previous year’s expense. The remaining funds are used to reimburse the Memphis Police and Fire department, based on the FA responses for the year. |
| Question: | Are false alarms a problem? |
| Answer: | 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 our law enforcement agencies. Locally, in 2016 more than 99.2% of coded alarms were a false alarm. |
| Question: | What does the city hope to accomplish by enforcing the false alarm ordinance? |
| Answer: | The city wants to reduce the number of false alarms that the police and fire department responds to. |
| Question: | Will I be charged for alarm activation that are not false? |
| Answer: | No, you will never be charged for an alarm activation that is not false. If you believe that you were charged for a valid alarm, please submit a dispute. |
| Question: | If I disagree with an assessed fine, can I file a dispute? |
| Answer: |
Yes, if you disagree, the ordinance does have a dispute provision. To dispute a false alarm, you must submit your case for the dispute either through email at metroalarms@memphistn.gov or mailed to our office in city hall. Appeals will not be accepted if:
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| Question: | Where do I send my check? |
| Answer: |
The mailing address is: Metro Alarm Office 125 North Main, Suite 1 B20 Memphis, TN 38103 |
| Question: | What will happen if I do not pay the alarm fines? |
| Answer: | A refusal of payment may result in legal action, or a lien may be placed on your property. |
| Question: | Can my alarm registration be suspended? |
| Answer: | Yes, an alarm permit may be suspended for a violation of the laws laid out in the ordinance 5729. |
| Question: | I’ve become suspended, how do I reinstate my permit |
| Answer: |
A person whose alarm permit has been revoked may be issued new permit if the person:
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| Question: | Are Permits transferable? |
| Answer: | No, Permits are not transferable |
| Question: | I’ve received duplicate alarm invoices at my address; what can I do? |
| Answer: | If you’ve received a duplicate invoice, please call us at (901) 636-6380 so we can remove the incorrect invoices(s) |
| Question: | Where can I read or obtain a copy of the ordinance? |
| Answer: | A copy of the ordinance is available at: https://www.memphistn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ordinance-No-5729.pdf |
| Question: | Who can I call if I have questions or comments? |
| Answer: | Call us at (901) 636-6380, Monday through Friday from 8:30am am to 4:30pm |