Frequently Asked Questions
All residential and commercial locations in the City of Burlingame with an active alarm system are required by Ordinance (Municipal Code Ch. 10.10) to have an alarm permit and renew it on an annual basis.
Please complete the ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM
You may also contact the Burlingame Alarm Program at 888-865-9770, Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm PT.
Commercial / Residential Permit Registration Fee: $51 ($33 + $18 1-time Application Fee)
Commercial / Residential Renewal Fee: $33 (Annual)
Permit Period: Jan 1 - Dec 31 (calendar year)
- 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
An Alarm user shall be subject to fines, counted by the number of false alarms within the annual permit term (Jan-Dec):
False Alarms:
1st-2nd False Alarms - $0
3rd-5th False Alarms - $75
6th+ False Alarms - $125/each
**$51 will be charged for any false alarm for which no alarm permit has been issued ($33 Permit Fee + $18 Registration Fee).
"False alarm" means the activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or maintenance, or the negligence of the owner, lessee, or of his or her employees or agents, which necessitates response by the police when an emergency condition does not exist; provided, however, alarms caused by acts of nature such as earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, or other violent, uncontrollable acts of nature shall not be considered false alarms.
No, you will never be charged for an alarm activation that is not false. This ordinance allows charges for false alarms only.
The alarm ordinance is posted online on this website - CHAPTER 10.10 - ALARM SYSTEMS
Yes, you can pay for any fees due on your account via this website by clicking on the home tab and logging in with credentials initiated by APS/CitySupport and secured by the alarm user: BURNLINGAME ALARM PROGRAM
PAYMENTS MADE ONLINE WILL BE CHARGED A PROCESSING FEE OF 2.9% + 30 cents of the billing items' total.
*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, monitoring call logs, etc.)
*Submit via email using the Contact Us page or email directly burlingameca@citysupport.org.
*Be sure to include Permit License #, alarm location address, and incident date(s) in question.
*Submit appeal within fifteen (15) business days of the notice imposing the charge
*The City has thirty (30) business days from the receipt of an appeal to render a decision.
Please email a notification of cancellation noting the permit number or alarm location address to: burlingameca@citysupport.org.