Alarm Permits

Class I Permits

Class I permits are monitored by an alarm company or connected by automatic dialer to anyone other than the Police Department. Class I permits are valid for three years and must be renewed thereafter at a cost of $30.

Class II Permits

Class II permits are non-monitored alarms that are audible and/or visible at the protected premises only. Class II permits are valid for three years and must be renewed thereafter at a cost of $25.

Alarm Permit Stickers

When holders receive an alarm permit, they are also issued an alarm permit sticker, which is to be placed on a door window, the storm door, or a window in the front of the residence or business. If a permit holder moves to another location in the city limits of Murfreesboro before the current permit expires, this permit can be transferred free of charge. Thirty days prior to the expiration of the permit, an alarm renewal notice, along with an application, will be mailed to the alarm holder. It may be returned with payment by mail.

Relocation

If a permit holder moves before the expiration of the existing alarm permit, and the new location is within the city limits of Murfreesboro and equipped with an alarm system, we will transfer your permit free of charge through the original permit expiration date. In order to transfer the permit, you will need to remove the sticker from your window and mail it, along with a statement as to your change of address, to:

Murfreesboro Police Department 

1004 N. Highland Ave 
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Attn: Ms. Donna Smith

(629) 201-5590
Send an email 

Your permit is transferable only from location to location. It is not transferable from one resident to another resident or one business to another business.

False Alarms

On initial (new) permits only, there will be a 10 day grace period on false alarms. This means any false alarm requiring a Murfreesboro Police Department response will not be charged to the permit holder.

The false alarm fiscal year is the period beginning with the date of permit issuance and ending the month from date of issuance for one year. Example: Your permit date of issuance is March 1; your fiscal year will be March 1 through March 31, and on April 1 your false alarm account balance will be reset to zero.

False Alarm Exceptions

False alarm means any activation of an alarm system that results in a communication to the city an alarm has been activated, with the exception of alarms resulting from one of the following causes:

  • Criminal activity or unauthorized criminal entry if the communication has been made to the police department
  • The presence of excessive heat, smoke, or fire if the communication has been made to the fire department
  • Earthquake causing structural damage to the protected premises
  • Tornadic winds causing structural damage to the protected premises
  • Flooding of the protected premises due to the overflow of natural drainage
  • A lightning bolt causing physical damage to the protected premises
  • A telephone line malfunction, if verified in writing by a telephone company supervisor

Any questions regarding alarm permits can be directed to Donna Smith in the Alarms Enforcement Section at 629-201-5590, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Alarming the Police Department

These are some suggested times when your alarm company may have to call the police department, and these may include but not be limited to:

  • When the alarm company contacts a location after an activation and the holder or authorized person cannot give them the correct code or password.
  • If an alarm activates and the alarm company calls and there is no answer.
  • If an alarm activates because of a distress or panic signal, then the alarm company will call the Police Department.

If your alarm system activates, you will receive a false alarm letter in the mail stating the date and time of the alarm. The letter will also state the number of false alarms and if any payment is due. There is a false alarm fine schedule at the bottom of the page of the false alarm letter. If you have any questions regarding false alarms, please feel free to contact our office.

False Alarm Fine Schedule for Police Response

  • 1 to 3 - No charge
  • 4 to 19 - $25 each
  • 20 or more - $25 each plus a citation to City Court

False Alarm Fine Schedule for Fire Response

  • 1 to 3 - No charge
  • 4 to 9 - $25 each
  • 10 or more - $25 each plus a citation to City Court

If any of your contacts should change, we would request notification of these changes within 10 days.

The application for an alarm permit may be downloaded here. It must be completed and returned along with payment to 1004 N. Highland Ave.