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More and more Canadian cities have introduced bylaws, ordinances or policies
designed to recover the costs of responding to false dispatches. The following bylaw
information are as current and as accurate as possible. If you have more information on any
of these bylaws
below, see a mistake or know of bylaws not listed below, please e-mail
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City_of_Burnaby
City of Castlegar
City of Chilliwack
City of Coquitlam
City of Colwood
City of Courtenay (Fire & Security)
City of Dawson Creek
City of Delta
City of Kamloops
City of Kelowna
City of Langley
City of Nanaimo
City of New Westminster
City of Vancouver
City of Victoria
City of Parksville (Fire and Security)
City of Pitt Meadows
City of Port Alberni
City of Port Coquitlam
City of Port Moody
City of Prince George
City of Prince Rupert
City of Richmond (Fire & Security)
City of Surrey
City of Terrace
City of Trail
City of Williams Lake
Corporation of Delta (
N. Delta , Ladner , Tsawwassen)
District of Campbell River
(Fire & Security Alarms)
District of Chilliwack
District of Central Okanagan
District of Lake Country
District of MacKenzie
District of Maple Ridge
(Fire and Security)
District of Mission
District of North Vancouver
(Fire & Security)
District of Oak Bay
District of Peachland
District of Powel River (Fire
& Security)
District of Saanich
District of Salmon Arm
District of West Vancouver
Regional District of
Kitimat-Stikine
Town of Sidney
Town of View Royal
Township of Langley
City of Vancouver
- No person shall sell, possess or use a security alarm system that has
not been approved by the alarm co-ordinator
- No person shall install or place a security alarm system without first
obtaining a permit for such system
- An Alarm permit shall be valid for one year after its date of issuance
unless canceled.
- Where the Police Department is notified of an alarm incident and no
alarm permit has been issued or where an alarm permit has been canceled, the Police may
refuse to provide Police response to this premise.
Alarm permits may be canceled for excessive False Alarms (4 or more
within a 12 month period)
Alarm Permits:
| Description of Premises |
New Fees |
| Residential |
$17.55 per year |
| Small Business or Commercial |
$29.25 per year |
| Large Business or Commercial |
$58.50 per year |
Reinstatement of an Alarm Permit after Cancellation:
- Residential = $75
- Small Business or Commercial (less than 140 sq. meters) = $125
- Large Business or Commercial (more than 140 sq. meters) = $250
Reinstatement of an Alarm Permit after 2nd and Subsequent
Suspension(s):
- Residential = $150
- Small Business or Commercial (less than 140 sq. meters) = $250
- Large Business or Commercial (more than 140 sq. meters) = $500
Every person who commits an offence against the bylaw is punishable
upon conviction by a fine of not more than $2,000 and not less than $50 or, in the
alternative, by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 2 months.
FALSE ALARM REDUCTION PROGRAM -
VANCOUVER 3 Dec 2003
link to City of Vancouver bylaw
7111
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/police/falsealarm/Registration.htm

City of Victoria
- A person may operate an alarm system only if that person holds a valid
permit for that alarm system
- The Chief of Police must reinstate a permit if the permit holder gives
to the City security in the amount of $500 for the payment of fees
- The City must return the security required to the person providing it
if within the 12 month period there are no more than 3 False Alarms for which Police
Response was provided
Permits may be canceled if in any 12 month period, the Police respond
to 5 or more False Alarms
Alarm Permits: (Upon Issuance, Reissuance or Reinstatement) $15
False Alarm Fees
- First 3 False Alarms = FREE
- 4th and each subsequent False Alarm in any 12 month period = $100

City of Burnaby
An owner who purchases property in the City of Burnaby inherits all
false alarms which were made on that property earlier in the calendar year by the previous
owners.
All False Alarm Assessments shall be sent to the owner of the
Property, NOT the tenant
All False Alarms in a multi-unit property will be counted towards the
False Alarm total of the ENTIRE property, regardless of which unit they came from.
- First 3 False Alarms = FREE
- 4th False Alarm each calendar year = $100
- 5th False Alarm each calendar year = $150
- 6th and each subsequent False Alarm in the calendar year = $300

District of Campbell
River (Fire & Security Alarms)
- First 3 False Alarms in any calendar year = FREE
- 4th False Alarm in any calendar year = $100
- 5th False Alarm in any calendar year = $200
- 6th and any subsequent alarm(s) in any calendar year = $250

City of Castlegar
- First 2 False Alarms in any calendar year = FREE
- 3rd False Alarm in any calendar year = $75
- 4th or any subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $125
- For a False Alarm where the owner has not provided the RCMP of the two
names and addresses = $100
- For a False Alarm where the named representatives have not attended
within 30 minutes of being requested by RCMP = $100

District of Chilliwack
- First 3 False Alarms = FREE
- 4th or any subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $100

City of Chilliwack
1. This bylaw may be
cited as "Security and Fire Alarm System Regulation Bylaw 2002, No. 2875".
2. "Security Alarm System Regulation Bylaw 1999, No. 2646" is hereby
repealed.
Every owner or occupier of
real property or a premises where a security or fire alarm system is installed
shall be responsible for the proper use, maintenance and operation of such
system so as to prevent false alarms.
Where a false alarm has occurred on any real property or
premises, the owner or occupier of the real property or premises shall be
charged a fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each false alarm, due and
payable upon receipt of notice from the City.

City of Colwood
All alarm systems shall require a permit. Alarm systems that generate
a false alarm and do not have a permit will be charged $25.
- First 3 False Alarms = FREE
- 4th or any subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $100
If in any 12 month period, the RCMP respond to 5 or more False
Alarms, the City may recommend that an inspection of the system be completed before
response resume. Upon receipt of a written inspection report, the City may recommend
that response be resumed.
City of Courtenay (Fire &
Security)
- First 3 False Alarm = FREE
- 4th False Alarm in any calendar year = $100
- 5th False Alarm in any calendar year = $200
- 6th and any subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $250

City of Dawson Creek
- 1st False Alarm = FREE
- 2nd False Alarm in any calendar year = $50
- 3rd False Alarm in any calendar year = $75
- 4th and any subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $100

City of Delta
Under the Delta Security Alarm Systems
Regulation Bylaw 5827-2000, an excessive false alarm fee is payable by the owner
of any premises after the third and all subsequent false alarms from those
premises during any calendar year.
| False Alarm |
Excessive False Alarm Fee |
| Third |
$ 50 |
| Fourth |
$100 |
| Fifth |
$150 |
| Sixth and over |
$300 |
| |
|
Delta Police Department
4455 Clarence Taylor Crescent
Delta, British Columbia
Canada V4K 3E1

District of North
Vancouver (Fire & Security)
Bylaw 6538
- FEE
The owner or occupier of real property or persons who lease or otherwise provide a
fire alarm system or security alarm system to them must pay to the District a fee of $130
for each false alarm subject to an exemption for the first three false alarms respecting
the real property occurring in any calendar year.
- RECOVERY OF FEE
A fee established under this bylaw remaining unpaid on December 31 in any year
is added to and forms part of the taxes payable on the real property as taxes in arrear.
- PASSED
by the Council on the 12th day of July, 1993.

District of West Vancouver
- First 1 False Alarm = FREE
- 2nd False Alarm in any consecutive 12 month period = $50
- 3rd False Alarm in any consecutive 12 month period = $75
- 4th and any subsequent False Alarm in any consecutive 12 month period
= $100

City of Coquitlam
On June 15th 2008 the Coquitlam RCMP will begin implementation of a False
Alarm Reduction Strategy (FARS) designed to reduce the impact of false alarm
calls on police resources while maintaining community safety for the cities of
Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra .
The Coquitlam RCMP FARS, which is based on an extensive review of best
practice models currently in place in many North American police jurisidictions,
was developed after a review of police files revealed that in 2006 and 2007
our local officers attended more false alarm calls than any other single type of
call.
The significant change is one zone alarms will have to be verified as an
unauthorized access by the alarm company, eyewitness or electronic monitoring
system before police will respond. As before, the police will continue to attend
hold-up, panic, multi-zone, glass breaks and two way voice alarms as well as
school alarms and identified residences occupied by seniors or individuals with
special needs.
For further information on the FARS contact S/Sgt John Laseur at 604-945-7355
Fire Alarm Only
- First 3 False Alarm = FREE
- 4th and any subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $150

City of Kamloops
- First 3 False Alarm = FREE
- 4th and any subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $100

City of Kelowna
UPDATE October 2007
Update for Regional District of Central Okanagan, District of Peachland, District of Lake
Country & City of Kelowna.
The City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country, District of Peachland and Regional District
of Central Okanagan are all under the implementation of Regional District of
Central Okanagan Bylaw 1081, a Bylaw to regulate Security Alarm Systems.
Westbank First Nations Reserve Land is not included in Bylaw #1081 at this time.
Hold-up &
Panic Alarms: RCMP will always attend
Hold-up Panic Alarms In a 12 month period:
Cost for First False Hold-up or Panic Alarm – Free
Second False Hold-up or Panic Alarm - $100.00
Third False Hold-up or Panic Alarm - $200.00
Four or more Hold-up or Panic Alarms - $300.00
Residential Property in a 12 month period
Cost Residential Property - $10.00 per year
First False Alarm – Free
Second False Alarm – Free
Third False Alarm - $50.00
Fourth False Alarm - $100.00 plus Suspension
Reinstatement - $100.00
Non-residential in a 12 month period
Cost for Non-residential - $15.00 per year
First False Alarm – Free
Second False Alarm – Free
Third False Alarm - $100.00
Fourth False Alarm - $200.00 plus Suspension
Reinstatement - $100.00
Regional District of Central Okanagan Security
Alarms Bylaw #1081 can be found @
www.regionaldistrict.com website. Any questions, please give me a call at
the number below.
Judy Burns
Alarm Coordinator
False Alarm Reduction Program
Regional District of Central Okanagan/RCMP
350 Doyle Ave., Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 6V7
(250) 470-6392 Fax: (250) 470-6348

Regional District of
Kitimat-Stikine
* Alarm Service technicians must be licensed under the Private
Investigators and Security Agencies Act
* Alarm Companies must hold a license in one or more of the alarm service
categories under the Private Investigators and Security Agencies Act.
- First 3 False Alarms = FREE
- 4th False Alarm in any calendar year = $100
- 5th False Alarm in any calendar year = $200
- 6th and any subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $300

District of Lake Country
UPDATE July 2006
To Whom It May Concern:
Just sending you an update on the False Alarm Reduction Program. The Regional
District of Central Okanagan includes the City of Kelowna, Peachland and Lake
Country.
Kelowna and Peachland have the Security Alarms System Bylaw in place with the
exception of Westbank First Nations Land. Lake Country will be participating in
the fall. This is how it works:
Residential Alarms - $10.00 per year
Non Residential Alarms - $15.00 per year
RCMP attend all alarms that have a permit
number. Non registered properties do not have automatic police response to
alarms and if the RCMP do attend an alarm and it is false, it is a $100.00 Fee.
Police attend all Panic and Holdup Alarms, however, if not registered it is
$100.00 Fee.
The first two false alarms RCMP attend are
free. After the two free false alarms, residential permitted properties will
have to pay a $50.00 Fee for the third false alarm, $100.00 Fee for the fourth
false alarm and the permit is suspended. Non residential permitted properties
will have to pay $100.00 Fee for the third false alarm and $200.00 Fee for the
fourth false alarm and the permit is suspended.
Regional District of Central Okanagan Security
Alarms Bylaw #1081 can be found @
www.regionaldistrict.com website. Any questions, please give me a call at
the number below.
Judy Burns
Alarm Coordinator
False Alarm Reduction Program
Regional District of Central Okanagan/RCMP
350 Doyle Ave., Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 6V7
(250) 470-6392 Fax: (250) 470-6348

City of Langley
- 1st False Alarm = FREE
- 2nd False Alarm during any consecutive 12 month period = $50
- 3rd False Alarm during any consecutive 12 month period = $75
- 4th and any subsequent False Alarm during any consecutive 12 month
period = $100

District of MacKenzie
The owner or occupant of a premise where a security system has been
installed must provide the RCMP with the names, addresses and phone numbers of at least 3
property representatives or 1 guard service.
- First 2 False Alarm = FREE
- 3rd False Alarm where attendance at 2 other False Alarms in the
preceding 12 month period = $75
- 4th False Alarm where attendance at 3 other False Alarms in the
preceding 12 month period = $125
- 5th False Alarm where attendance at 4 other False Alarms in the
preceding 12 month period = $200
- For attendance at a False Alarm where the owner has not provided the
RCMP of names, addresses of at least 3 property representatives or with the name of a
guard service = $100
- For attendance at a False Alarm where the owner, occupant or named
guard service has not attended within 30 minutes of being so requested to do so by the
RCMP = $100

District of Maple
Ridge (Fire and Security)
Every owner or occupant of a property that uses a security alarm
system or fire alarm system must provide to the Police Department and Fire Department (in
writing) the names, addresses and telephone numbers of:
- A monitoring service (if applicable)
- at least three (3) persons who will be known as property references
who may be contacted in the event of an alarm
Property references must be able to:
- receive calls from the Police Department or Fire Department
- able to respond to the address within 30 minutes of so being requested
- capable of affording the Police Department or Fire Department access
to the premise
- capable of operating the alarm system and being able to safeguard the
premises
- First 3 False Alarm = FREE
- 4th and any subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $300

District of Mission
- First 3 False Alarm = FREE
- 4th False Alarm in any calendar year = $100
- 5th False Alarm in any calendar year = $150
- 6th and subsequent False Alarms in any calendar year = $300
http://www.city.mission.bc.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=398

City of Nanaimo
- First 3 False Alarm = FREE
- 4th False Alarm in any calendar year = $140
- 5th False Alarm in any calendar year = $140 AND shall
result in the SUSPENSION of alarm response by the Police
- 6th False Alarm (where service is resumed after application) in any
calendar year = $200
- 7th False Alarm (where service is resumed after application) in any
calendar year = $200 AND shall result in the SUSPENSION of alarm response by the
Police for 1 YEAR.
- Where the Police have not suspended service after the 7th false alarm,
subsequent False Alarms= $140

City of New Westminster
- First 2 False Alarm = FREE
- 3rd and any subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $100

District of Oak Bay
- First 3 False Alarm = FREE
- 4th False Alarm in any calendar year = $100
- 5th or subsequent False Alarm = $100 AND shall result in the
SUSPENSION of alarm response by the Police

City of Parksville (Fire and Security)
- First 3 False Alarm = FREE
- 4th False Alarm in any calendar year = $100
- Each subsequent False Alarm will result in an increased user
fee. The fee will be increased in increments of $100
- There shall be no user fee if the the alarm was due to a technical
malfunction. This exemption will only apply if the owner of the premises can produce
records showing that the system was inspected and tested by an Alarm Systems Inspector
within 12 months prior to the alarm.

City of Port Alberni
- First 3 False Alarm = FREE
- 4th or subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $100

City of Port
Coquitlam
On June 15th 2008 the Coquitlam RCMP will begin implementation of a False
Alarm Reduction Strategy (FARS) designed to reduce the impact of false alarm
calls on police resources while maintaining community safety for the cities of
Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra .
The Coquitlam RCMP FARS, which is based on an extensive review of best
practice models currently in place in many North American police jurisidictions,
was developed after a review of police files revealed that in 2006 and 2007
our local officers attended more false alarm calls than any other single type of
call.
The significant change is one zone alarms will have to be verified as an
unauthorized access by the alarm company, eyewitness or electronic monitoring
system before police will respond. As before, the police will continue to attend
hold-up, panic, multi-zone, glass breaks and two way voice alarms as well as
school alarms and identified residences occupied by seniors or individuals with
special needs.
For further information on the FARS contact S/Sgt John Laseur at 604-945-7355

District of
Peachland
UPDATE July 2006
To Whom It May Concern:
Just sending you an update on the False Alarm Reduction Program. The Regional
District of Central Okanagan includes the City of Kelowna, Peachland and Lake
Country.
Kelowna and Peachland have the Security Alarms System Bylaw in place with the
exception of Westbank First Nations Land. Lake Country will be participating in
the fall. This is how it works:
Residential Alarms - $10.00 per year
Non Residential Alarms - $15.00 per year
RCMP attend all alarms that have a permit
number. Non registered properties do not have automatic police response to
alarms and if the RCMP do attend an alarm and it is false, it is a $100.00 Fee.
Police attend all Panic and Holdup Alarms, however, if not registered it is
$100.00 Fee.
The first two false alarms RCMP attend are
free. After the two free false alarms, residential permitted properties will
have to pay a $50.00 Fee for the third false alarm, $100.00 Fee for the fourth
false alarm and the permit is suspended. Non residential permitted properties
will have to pay $100.00 Fee for the third false alarm and $200.00 Fee for the
fourth false alarm and the permit is suspended.
Regional District of Central Okanagan Security
Alarms Bylaw #1081 can be found @
www.regionaldistrict.com website. Any questions, please give me a call at
the number below.
Judy Burns
Alarm Coordinator
False Alarm Reduction Program
Regional District of Central Okanagan/RCMP
350 Doyle Ave., Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 6V7
(250) 470-6392 Fax: (250) 470-6348

City of Port Moody
- First 3 False Alarms = FREE
- 4th or subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $100

City of Pitt
Meadows
The owner or occupier of real property to which the
services of the Police Department or the Fire Department are provided in
response to a false alarm shall pay to the District, the following fees:
- No fee for a false alarm which occurs more
than twelve consecutive months from the date of the last false alarm (if
any);
- A fee of $50.00 for the first false alarm
occurring within twelve months from the date of the last false alarm;
- A fee of $100.00 for the second false
alarm occurring within twelve months from the date of the last false alarm;
and
- A fee of $300.00 for each subsequent
false alarm unless such false alarm occurs more than twelve consecutive
months from the date of the last false alarm. (Bylaw No. 1886)

District of Powel River
(Fire & Security)
- First 3 False Alarms = FREE
- 4th False Alarm in any calendar year = $100
- 5TH False Alarm in any calendar year = $125
- 6th False Alarm in any calendar year = $150
- 7th and each subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $200

City of Prince George
- First 2 False Alarms = FREE
- 3rd False Alarm in any 12 month period = $75
- 4th False Alarm in any 12 month period = $125
- 5th and each subsequent False Alarm in any 12 month period = $200

City of Prince Rupert
- First 3 False Alarms = FREE
- 4th and each subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $100

City of Richmond (Fire & Security)
- First 1 False Alarm = FREE
- 2nd False Alarm in any calendar year = $50
- 3rd and each subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $100

District of Central
Okanagan UPDATE July 2006
To Whom It May Concern:
Just sending you an update on the False Alarm Reduction Program. The Regional
District of Central Okanagan includes the City of Kelowna, Peachland and Lake
Country.
Kelowna and Peachland have the Security Alarms System Bylaw in place with the
exception of Westbank First Nations Land. Lake Country will be participating in
the fall. This is how it works:
Residential Alarms - $10.00 per year
Non Residential Alarms - $15.00 per year
RCMP attend all alarms that have a permit
number. Non registered properties do not have automatic police response to
alarms and if the RCMP do attend an alarm and it is false, it is a $100.00 Fee.
Police attend all Panic and Holdup Alarms, however, if not registered it is
$100.00 Fee.
The first two false alarms RCMP attend are
free. After the two free false alarms, residential permitted properties will
have to pay a $50.00 Fee for the third false alarm, $100.00 Fee for the fourth
false alarm and the permit is suspended. Non residential permitted properties
will have to pay $100.00 Fee for the third false alarm and $200.00 Fee for the
fourth false alarm and the permit is suspended.
Regional District of Central Okanagan Security
Alarms Bylaw #1081 can be found @
www.regionaldistrict.com website. Any questions, please give me a call at
the number below.
Judy Burns
Alarm Coordinator
False Alarm Reduction Program
Regional District of Central Okanagan/RCMP
350 Doyle Ave., Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 6V7
(250) 470-6392 Fax: (250) 470-6348

District of Saanich
- First 3 False Alarms = FREE
- 4th and each subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $100
- 5th or more False Alarms in any calendar year = SUSPENSION

District of
Salmon Arm
False Alarm Bylaw3056.pdf

Town of Sidney
Any person seeking permission to install, place, posses or use
a security alarm system shall make application for a permit to do so.
- First 3 False Alarms = FREE
- 4th and each subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $100
- 5th False Alarm in any calendar year = SUSPENSION of police response

City of Terrace
Security Businesses responsible for the direct sales, installation,
maintenance, servicing, inspection or monitoring of a security alarm system must hold a
current license in one or more of the alarm services categories under the Private
Investigators and Security Agencies Act.
- First 3 False Alarms = FREE
- 4th False Alarm in any calendar year = $100
- 5th False Alarm in any calendar year = $200
- 6th and each subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $300

Town of View Royal
- First 6 False Alarms = FREE
- 7th and each subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $100
- 8th False Alarm in any calendar year = SUSPENSION of police response

Township of Langley
- 1st False Alarm = FREE
- 2nd and each subsequent False Alarm in any calendar year = $50

City of Trail
- First 2 False Alarms = FREE
- 3rd False Alarm in any 12 month period = $75
- 4th False Alarm in any 12 month period = $125
- 5th or any subsequent False Alarms in any 12 month period = $200

City of Williams Lake
- First 3 False Alarms = FREE
- 4th and any subsequent False Alarms in any calendar year = $100
update by A-Tech Security
The city did pass such a by-law
and then withdrew it after only a couple of months at the recommendation of the
RCMP. There is presently NO such by-law in W.L.

City of Surrey
- Zero tolerance
- Each False Alarm = $50 if paid within 14 days from the date of the
offence notice
- Each False Alarm = $75 if paid after 14 days from the date of the offence
notice
- If the fees imposed are unpaid on December 31 of the calendar year in which
they are imposed , they must be added to , and form part of the property taxes payable as
taxes in arrears on the property to which the fees apply

Corporation
of Delta (N. Delta , Ladner , Tsawwassen)
- No person shall use a Security Alarm System without holding an Alarm
Permit
- There is no cost for the Alarm Permit
VALID & CURRENT PERMIT HELD - FIRST 2 N/C
RESIDENTIAL 3rd.= $50.00 4th.= $100.00
5th+ = $150.00
SM. NON RES. 3rd.= $100.00 4th.=$200.00
5th+= $300.00
LG. NON RES. 3rd.= $150.00 4th.=$300.00
5th+= $500.00
NO VALID OR CURRENT PERMIT HELD - ZERO TOLERANCE
RESIDENTIAL 1st.= $50.00 2nd.= $100.00
3rd.+ = $150.00
SM. NON RES. 1st.= $100.00 2nd.= $200.00
3rd.+ = $300.00
LG. NON RES. 1st.= $150.00 2nd.= $300.00
3rd.+ = $500.00
NOTE :
SM. NON RES. LESS = THAN 5000 Sq. FEET
LG. NON RES. MORE= THAN 5000 Sq. FEET
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