The Law

In December 2004 the Cape Coral City Council enacted a law requiring alarm users, contractors, and monitoring services to register with the Cape Coral Police Department by April 1, 2005.

Accurate, up-to-date information obtained during the registration process helps responders know who to contact in the event of an emergency.

In order to register your alarm system with the Cape Coral Police Department, both your alarm company and alarm monitoring service must be registered. We cannot register customers of non-registered companies.

Please note that the above requirements DO NOT apply to stand-alone smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors that are not part of a monitored security system. For your safety, you are encouraged to continue use of these types of detectors.

What Is A False Alarm

If police or fire personnel respond to an alarm signal and, after investigation, find no evidence of criminal activity or no evidence of the need for emergency personnel, that constitutes a False Alarm. Whether the alarm was triggered by human error or equipment malfunction does not matter.

Registering Your Alarm

In accordance with City of Cape Coral Ordinance 149-04, all alarm users must register their alarm systems with the City of Cape Coral.  The Alarm Registration program is managed by the Police Department’s False Alarm Reduction Unit.  The City has provided three means of registering your alarm.

1. Alarm users may visit the Police Department and register in-person.  The Police Department’s Records Section personnel will assist you by providing a form and, once completed and accompanied by payment in the amount of $25.00, will meet your obligation.
2. Alarm users may also visit the Cashier’s Office located in City Hall.  The cashier will  provide the registration form and accept payment at that time.
3. Alarm owners with computer access may register online via the “Online Registration – Residents” block below.  
4. Alternatively, owners may download a registration form to be mailed in via the “Download Registration Forms” block at the end of this section or may request a form by calling 239-242-3357.

Registration is required for ALL alarm systems including systems that are not monitored.
A one-time, $25 non-refundable registration fee will be collected with each alarm registration. Registrations are not transferable from one user or location to another. You are required to keep all information current, i.e. if you have changes to your monitoring companies or your contact information, by updating your information with the False Alarm Reduction Unit..

Schedule of Fines

* Fine is waived for the 1st False Alarm for registered systems.

** There shall be no fine for the second false alarm--

--if the alarm operator has a valid permit; and

--provides certification from a registered alarm contractor stating that the alarm operator received instruction regarding the proper operation and maintenance of the alarm system; and

--provides certification that the alarm contractor has inspected the offending alarm system and found it to be either free of defects or, if any defect has been found, that the alarm system has been repaired or replaced so that, if operated properly, the alarm system shall not falsely activate.

• Alarms that continue to sound for longer than 15 minutes are annoying to all who can hear them. Florida Statute 489.530 requires alarms to be turned off within 15 minutes of activation. Failure to comply with this provision may result in a $100 fine being assessed against the alarm operator.

• Operating an alarm system equipped with an automatic dialing device programmed to connect directly to the Police or Fire Department is illegal. This type of device circumvents all false alarm verification processes. A fine of $125 may be assessed for operating such a device.

• In Southwest Florida power outages are a way of life. Even a power failure as short as one second may be long enough to cause a false alarm. Any alarm triggered by a continuous power shortage of less than 4 hours is considered a false alarm. A $125 fine may be assessed for operating an alarm system which does not have a minimum 4-hour auxiliary power supply.

• The alarm operator or a designated responder listed on the alarm permit must return to the alarm site within 30 minutes of the time of notification by the Police or Fire Department, regardless of whether the activation is legitimate or false. The failure to respond may be deemed a violation; a third failure to respond will result in a $50 fine.