Register Your Alarm System

City of Federal Way Alarm Ordinance #11-693 requires all alarm systems to be registered.

How to Register

You may obtain an alarm registration application by:

• Visiting the Federal Way Police Department
• Calling (253) 835-6705
• Clicking the link below:

 Alarm Registration
 

Cost: $25 to register your alarm system and obtain a permit.

• Registration provides information for the 911 dispatcher and the police whenever there is an alarm.
• Alarm permits are non-transferable. If there is an alarm permit and you are the new owner, you must register the permit under your name.
• The alarm permit decal must be visible at the front entrance.

You Can Help Prevent False Alarms!

False alarms are a problem we can solve together. By staying alert to potential issues with your alarm system and using it responsibly, you can reduce the number of false alarms. The Federal Way Police Department wants you to feel safe and secure with your alarm system—without the concerns and expense of false alarms.

What is a False Alarm?

Any alarm caused by human error or equipment problems requiring police response, with no evidence of an actual crime having been committed.
 

Did You Know?

• 76% of false alarms are caused by human error.
• Federal Way Police responds to an average of 5 false alarms per day.
• It costs approximately $500 per day for officers to respond to false alarms.
• Officers spend an average of 10 hours per day handling false alarm calls.
   

What False Alarms Do

• Take police away from real emergencies.
• Lead neighbors to ignore your alarm when it goes off, making your system less reliable.
• Cost you in fines.
   

Pursuant to Federal Way Alarm Ordinance #11-693

The following assessment fee will be enforced for excessive false alarms during a registration year (July–June):

What Causes False Alarms?

• The largest single cause is human error. Ensure that everyone who uses the alarm system knows how it works: how to turn it on and off, and what to do if it is set off accidentally.
• A smaller percentage are caused by mechanical failure or weather-related problems.
   

If a False Alarm Occurs

• If you are not at home: your alarm company will call you or an emergency contact before calling 911. If the alarm is a panic or hold-up alarm, your alarm company will call 911 immediately.
• If you are home: first turn off (disarm) your alarm and cancel the call. You will not be charged unless an officer responds to your premises.
• Keep your cancellation instructions and the monitoring company's phone number hidden but accessible. Most alarm companies require a secret code word or number to cancel a police response.
   

Note:

• In the event of a canceled false alarm, police may still respond to your premise to verify that you are the alarm user.
• If your alarm went off for only a few seconds, do not assume police were not notified.