Alarm Permits

To provide some relief to customers who may be experiencing financial hardship during COVID-19, the City of Tigard is allowing alarm permit holders and new permit applicants to defer alarm fees for a limited time. 

With the passage of Resolution 20-25, the City of Tigard defers the due date of fees associated with an alarm user’s initial or renewal alarm permit application to December 31, 2020. All alarm users must still apply for, or keep valid, an alarm permit pursuant to TMC 11.08.030.

The City waives late fees associated with an alarm user’s initial or renewal alarm permit application accruing as of March 16, 2020 and continuing until December 31, 2020. The City will not revoke an alarm permit for failure to pay during this time. The waiver of late fees and suspension of alarm permit revocations does not apply to other fines or penalties, including but not limited to false alarms, fines or failure to otherwise comply with TMC 11.08.

If you elect to defer your annual alarm permit fee, you are still required to timely renew your alarm permit or submit an application for a new permit. For questions, please contact the Tigard Police Department at julia@tigard-or.gov or 503-718-2565. 

1. All residences and businesses within the City of Tigard using an alarm must have an "alarm user" permit.  The annual alarm permit fee is $25 and is valid for one year.
2. If you are a government agency, a resident of Tigard age 60 and over, or physically handicapped, you are exempt from the annual alarm permit fee.
3. To encourage citizens to reduce false alarms, fines are imposed upon the third false alarm.
4. Failure to pay false alarm fines may result in suspension of police services and a late charge if not paid within 30 days.
5. When responding to a false alarm, Tigard Police leave a written notice at the alarm location identifying their findings.

       
• Make sure that all family members, employees, and house sitters know how to properly operate the alarm system and cancel police response in case of an accidental alarm trip.
• When leaving your home, make sure that pets are away from motion sensored areas and windows and doors are secured.
• Make sure sensors are clear of any cobwebs and that any balloons and plants are away from air vents.

• You think your system is not working properly
• You plan to remodel
• You hire domestic help, sell your home or test your alarm system
• You install VoIP, FIOS or intercoms
• You plan to go on vacation:
1. Tell them the dates you will be gone
2. Tell them whether you will have anyone authorized to be in your home
3. Update your emergency contact list
4. Give them the number where you can be reached.

• Have your alarm company perform annual maintenance on your alarm system, ensuring that all contacts on doors and windows are properly adjusted.
• Change the back up battery every 3-5 years.  They typically last 4 hours in the event of a power outage.  The life of the battery is shortened if you have had several power outages.

• ECV means that if the alarm monitoring company does not receive an answer at the alarm site, they must call a responsible party's or authorized user's contact phone number prior to requesting  law enforcement dispatch.  Make sure your contact call list is up to date with your monitoring company.