Information on the Security Alarm Ordinance

In 2003, Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies responded to 60,427 false security alarms. In fact, 97 percent of alarms are false, and many of these are because of human error.

A security system can greatly reduce the chance of having an unwanted intruder in your home, and loss of property. But systems that aren't working properly or have been accidentally set off by users are a waste of precious time and effort for law enforcement - time that might have been spent responding to a legitimate call. The time spent on false alarms reported in 2003 represents the equivalent of 11 Sheriff's deputies and six dispatchers.

The Board of County Commissioners approved a security alarm ordinance in October 2004. This ordinance is enforced by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and is meant to reduce the number of false alarms. This iniative is a collaborative effort between county government, Sheriff's officials and alarm industry representatives, who worked together over the course of a year to develop the new ordinance.

If you live, own property or run a business in unincorporated Hillsborough County (outside the boundaries of the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace), and have an alarm system, you'll want to know about the ordinance and the consequences for violations. Security system owners will be fined for false alarms that occur within a one-year period and to which law enforcement has been dispatched:

• 1st and 2nd occurrence - warning notice
• 3rd occurrence - $75 fine
• 4th occurrence - $100 fine
• 5th occurrence - $150 fine
• 6th occurrence - $300 fine
• 7th occurrence and above - $500 fine per incident

In addition to these penalties, the ordinance calls for:

• A $100 fine charged to an alarm business that fails to provide required information to law enforcement dispatch at the time of a request for law enforcement response to an alarm signal.
• A $100 fine charged to an alarm business or an alarm user who fails to maintain or provide any of the required information specified in the ordinance to any law enforcement officer conducting a related alarm investigation.
• A $100 fine shall be charged to each alarm business that requests law enforcement response to a false alarm that is the result of installation, system repairs, or system service by the business or an agent of the alarm business.

The Hillsborough County Housing & Community Code Enforcement Department will administer the ordinance and supervise fine collections. Persons who fail to pay the fines will be required to appear before the Code Enforcement Board/Special Master, which could assess liens against the owner's properties.

Don't Be Fined - Make Sure Your Alarm System is Working

• Use care when entering your code into the keypad.
• Make sure everyone with a key to your home or business knows how to operate the security system. This includes children, neighbors, relatives, houseguests, temporary employees, repairmen, cleaning service staff and other maintenance workers.
• Close and lock all doors and windows tightly.
• Keep pets, balloons, fans and space heaters away from motion sensor areas. Regularly clean insects and spider webs away from sensors.
• After activating your system, wait a few moments to ensure your security system is armed properly.
• Enter and exit before delay times expire.
• Check for drafts that can move plants, curtains, signs, holiday decorations and other items in motion sensor areas. Fans, heaters, air conditioners, open windows, etc., can all cause drafts.
• Have the alarm system checked each year. Follow the company's recommendations for replacing batteries.
• Don't try to beat the system. If you need to re-enter after the arming the system, disarm and rearm again.
• Call the alarm company if you are doing any remodeling, changing phone systems, installing skylights or ceiling fans, or even spray painting or fumigating.
• Consider updating old systems to new technology.

If you accidentally set off your alarm:

• Don't panic!
• Enter your disarm code carefully.
• If you subscribe to service with an alarm company, do not leave the premises until you have talked to them.

For more information about the ordinance, contact Jim Snavely, at (813) 274-6650, or via e-mail.

View Security Alarm Ordinance 04-16 ( PDF, 992KB )

Tip of the Month for November, 2008 - False Alarm Ordinance ( PDF, 225KB )