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Mountain View Police Department
1000 Villa Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
650-903-6344
Directions & Map
Hours
General Business:
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.)
Walk-in Crime Reports:
7 a.m. - 7 p.m. (7 days)
Submit your questions, suggestions, compliments,concerns, or track your existing request online.
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Alarms can be beneficial crime prevention tools. MVPD understands your need to protect your home or business with alarms. We're ready to investigate your alarms 24x7 and take appropriate action.
When purchasing an alarm, be sure to consider system cost, likelihood and cost of false alarms, alarm company service fees, and value in preventing burglary or other incidents. An alarm should be part of an entire home security plan, which includes proper door locks, window locks and more.
Mountain View's Alarm Ordinance
Mountain View requires all alarm users to register their alarm systems with the MVPD. Without information about you and your property, we are unable to fully and properly respond to alarms. You can register your alarm by mailing a completed Alarm Permit Application, plus payment (check or money order). This can also be done at the police department (cash, check or money order).
Do not assume your alarm company will complete your permit application. You are responsible for your alarm registration. Ask your alarm company. If they are completing the application for you, be certain that they have the best contact information for you and your designates.
The Alarm Permit Application requires contact information for three designates who can come to the site at any hour, day or night. If you have fewer than three designees, you will still be granted a permit, but having backups ensures the best-possible protection for your property.
Any changes to permit information must be reported to the police department within 10 days so that we have the most up-to-date information regarding your alarm.
Permit-holder Requirements
After notification, a permit holder's designee must come to the site within 45 minutes to secure the property and handle the alarm. If no one can be reached, after checking the property, officers will close any open doors, locking them, if possible, then depart. If it appears that someone has broken in, MVPD may enter the building to search for intruders.
False Alarms
In 2001, the city revised the alarm ordinances so as to pass on some of the cost of responding to false alarms to those who can prevent them: the alarm owners. Over 98% of alarms are falsee. Permit holders will be charged a fee for each false alarm until there have been no false alarms for a rolling 12 month cycle. The fee increases or decreases acccording to the schedule shown below depending on how many false alarms you generated in the 12 months prior to the most recent false alarm. You must be alarm-free for 12 months in order for the fee schedule to reset.
Properly installed, maintained and operated alarm systems do not generate false alarms.
What is a false alarm?
According to the City Code, a false alarm is a non-emergency or accidental activation of an alarm system due to mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or maintenance, or the negligence of the owner, lessee or his/her employees or agents, which results in a response by the Mountain View Police Department. Alarm activations caused by an act of god, such as an earthquake, are excluded.
Fees & Fines
| Residential Alarm Permit (Annual) | $16.50 | | Commercial Alarm Permit (Annual) | $63.00 | | First False Alarm | No charge | | Second False Alarm | $82.00 | | Third False Alarm | $110.00 | | Fourth False Alarm | $220.00 | | Fifth & Subsequent False Alarms | $330.00 each |
Fine Waiver: The second false alarm fine can be waived if you schedule an onsite inspection. The alarm officer will come to your home or business and check for alarm problems. It's a good opportunity to ask questions and get advice on preventing false alarms.
| | | Applications & Updates
PDF Form
Submit:
MVPD front counter from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week.
Or mail to:
Alarm Permits
Mountain View Police Department
1000 Villa Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
Information Updates Only (free):
Email FAX 650/903-6431 |
Questions?
Inquiry
650/903-6186
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Do I need a permit for an audible-only alarm? Do I still pay false alarm fines?
Yes, a permit is required for all alarms. Yes, if police respond to your audible-only alarm without cause, you may incur a fine per the schedule above.
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How do I notify MVPD of changes in alarm permit responders or their phone numbers?
Submit another alarm permit application. No fee is required until your next annual renewal.
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