Alarm Ordinance
The Clackamas County alarm ordinance (Chapter 8.07 of the Clackamas County Code) was enacted to help reduce the number of false alarms that the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office receives. Currently, over 98% of all burglary and robbery alarms prove false. Sheriff's patrol units are dispatched to all alarms. The hours and resources used during responses to unfounded false alarms is a burden on resources.
Neighboring counties and cities utilizing similar alarm ordinances have experienced greatly reduced numbers of false alarms within their jurisdictions. This results in patrol officers being more available to meet other requests for service. With limited revenues, increasing county populations, and only a limited number of deputies, it is important that the deputies and resources of the Sheriff's Office be allocated to their best use.
We expect the Alarm Ordinance to help us make more efficient use of our deputies and provide more timely law-enforcement service to county citizens.
Confidentiality Notice
Clackamas County will strive to ensure confidentiality of information submitted by permit applicants and holders, and will disclose such information only to the extent required by law.
If you need assistance applying for or renewing your permit online, contact us at 503-785-5183 or online.
Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Mailing address: Clackamas County Sheriff's OfficeAttn: Alarm Permits 2223 Kaen Rd Oregon City, OR 97045 |
Physical address: Clackamas County Sheriff's Office9101 SE Sunnybrook Blvd Clackamas, OR 97015 map |
Alarm Permit Requirements, Fees & Fines
- Residential and commercial users of burglary and robbery alarm systems located in unincorporated areas of Clackamas County are REQUIRED to have a permit through the Sheriff's Office.
- Many cities within the county have their own ordinances and permit requirements.
- Please call the Alarm Coordinator at 503-785-5183 to see if your alarm location is within the jurisdiction of unincorporated Clackamas County.
Alarm Registration Fees
| Residential | $20 |
| Residential with primary resident 65 or older | No charge* |
| Business | $50 |
| Government buildings | No charge |
*A primary resident age 65 years or older is exempt from the permit fee. They are however, still required to have permit on file at the Sheriff's Office.
The ordinance provides for an additional penalty fee of $75 if the alarm user fails to obtain a permit with the Sheriff's Office within 30 days after the installation of an alarm system.
Permit Term
The alarm permit is valid for a 12-month period beginning on the date of issuance as stated on the permit.
Permit Renewal
Renewal notices are mailed approximately one month prior to the permit expiration date. The permit holder is responsible for submitting the applicable renewal fee and any account information updates to the Sheriff's Office Alarm Unit on or before the expiration date.
False Alarms
False Alarm Fines & Additional Fees
| 1st False Alarm | No Charge |
| 2nd False Alarm | $100 |
| 3rd False Alarm | $150 |
| 4th & Subsequent False Alarms | $200 |
| Late Fee | $25 |
| Failure to obtain a permit | $75 |
False Alarms, Permit Suspension and Appeals
- The ordinance allows up to four (4) false alarms during the one year permit period. Receiving a fourth false alarm shall be cause to suspend the alarm permit for one year from the date of the last false alarm. A Notice of Suspension, which unless appealed in accordance with the alarm chapter, will be effective and final on the date of mailing without further notice.
- An appeal of a Notice of Suspension of an alarm permit may be made by the permit applicant. This appeal must be received by the Sheriff within 14 days from the date of mailing of the notice.
- Please see Chapter 8.07.070 of the Alarm Ordinance for additional information regarding the appeals process.
What is a False Alarm?
The Clackamas County Alarm Ordinance defines a false alarm as "an alarm signal eliciting a response by emergency services when a situation requiring a response does not in fact exist."
Common Causes of False Alarms
Residential:
- Inadequate training of all those allowed access to your alarm system
- Domestic help, house cleaners, contractors, realtors, lawn care workers, extended family members and pet sitters
- Weak or depleted system batteries. Usual battery life is about 3-5 years.
- Open, unlocked, loose fitting or defective doors/windows.
- Drafts from heaters/air conditioning systems and open windows move plants, curtains, balloons etc.
- Wandering unconfined pets
- Barking dogs can activate "glass break" detectors
Business:
- Banners or signs and seasonal decorations
- Cleaning crews
- Mylar balloons
- Plants or curtains caught in drafts
- Stacked items such as boxes that may fall, setting off motion detectors.
- Unsupervised guests.
What To Do If You Set Your Alarm Off Accidentally
- First, don't panic. Carefully disarm your system by entering your cancellation code slowly.
- Wait for your alarm company or central monitoring station to call, give your password. If the correct password is not given, the monitoring company will inform you that the alarm will be canceled, but they will then call dispatch to advise that the improper password was given. Make sure you know your password!
- Do not leave your home or business until you have talked with your monitoring station! DO NOT call 911 to cancel an alarm activation.
False Alarm Prevention Tips
Residential:
- Lock all doors and windows before activating your alarm system.
- Keep pets, balloons, fans, heaters, plants, curtains, seasonal decorations, etc. away from motion sensor areas.
- Ensure that there are no cobwebs or insects that could set off your system's motion detectors. If a spider or bug gets on the face of the motion detector, it can cause a false alarm.
- Educate all alarm system users and responders
- Train them how to operate your system
- All users should know the correct arming codes, pass codes, monitoring company phone number and procedure for canceling accidental alarm activations. If you give someone your key-train them to operate your alarm.
- Schedule a service call if the alarm is not working properly. Routine maintenance can help prevent many false alarms.
- Have the alarm battery changed every 3-5 years. They typically last about 4 hours in the event of a power outage. The life of the battery is shortened if you have had several power outages.
- Notify your security company if you install DSL, VoIP, FIOS or intercoms.
Business:
- Fully train new system users. Hold monthly training sessions to teach proper operation and how to cancel accidental activations.
- Thoroughly train temporary holiday employees to avoid holiday-related false alarms.
- Look for items that can move within the "view" of your motion detectors, causing false alarms.
- Ensure that floor mounted contacts are not being used on overhead/rollup doors. Track-mounted wide gap contacts on BOTH sides of the door should be used instead; BOTH contacts must be activated before an alarm is triggered.
- Don't change pass codes and/or arming codes without advising your authorized users. If a pass code is changed notify your alarm company.
For more Information / Links
- If you have additional questions regarding the Alarm Ordinance or the attached application, please contact us at 503-785-5183 or email us.
- Outside link: False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA) -- "Experienced emergency and industry professionals working together, on your behalf, to help to put an end to false alarms, wasted time and frustrated public servants."
- Info on Home Alarm Sales Scams / Buying a Home Security System
