Divisions/District Stations — False Alarm Reduction Section

ALARM USER REGISTRATION 

            Every burglar alarm must be registered with the FARS before the system is placed into service. Registration does not apply to either fire or car alarm systems. 

            It is your alarm/monitoring company’s responsibility to provide you with burglar alarm registration information at the time of sale or installation of your alarm system. Every alarm/monitoring company that conducts business within Montgomery County must be licensed by both the Maryland State Police and the FARS.  Alarm/monitoring companies must provide their Montgomery County license number and your Montgomery County alarm user registration number to 9-1-1 operators when requesting dispatch to an alarm activation. 

            If you do not have an alarm/monitoring company, you may obtain registration information directly from the FARS. 

            A non-refundable $30.00 registration fee must be paid with each initial registration.  A separate registration must be obtained for each alarm user and/or location.  Registrations must be renewed on a biennial (2 year) basis at a cost of $10.00.  Failure to renew when required will result in no “free” false alarms and the imposition of an additional $100 charge for every false alarm. 

            Alarm registrations are not transferable from one alarm user to another or from one location to another.  However, if you change alarm companies, mailing address or contact person information, you are not required to re-register your alarm system.  You are required to advise the FARS in writing of said change(s). 

            You and/or your alarm company must notify the FARS when there is a relocation or change in ownership.  The old registration must be cancelled and a new one issued.

             Residents of the incorporated area of Chevy Chase Village are exempt from the provisions of the alarm law.