New alarm permit application

Residents and businesses that want to operate a burglar alarm must get a permit and have it monitored by a licensed monitoring company. Alarm permit application steps are detailed below. 

Apply online

Step 1.Register for a new account

Register for an account, if you haven't already, in Denver’s Permitting and Licensing Center. For help, navigate to the online training videos and watch the guide for how to register for a new account.

You can save and resume within 30 days any time during the process. After 30 days, you must start again.

After the online application is complete, you will be prompted to submit fees in the online portal. These can be paid with a bank account or a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card.

Step 2.Submit an application

In Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center, complete the alarm permit application. 

Step 3.Pay required fees

Application fee: $25 

Step 4.Permit issuance

Once approved, the applicant is emailed a copy of the alarm permit.

The permit holder should read "Once you have your permit" and "Alarm penalties" below and follow the requirements.

Requirement to keep contact information up to date

Email alarms@denvergov.org to notify the Department of any contact information changes. These updates must be submitted within 72 hours of the change. 

Requirement to renew annually

Alarm permits are valid for one year from the date of issue. Renewal notices will be sent to the permit holder 30 days before the expiration date.

  • A permit holder will be fined $50 whenever a panic or hold-up alarm is activated for a false alarm.
  • Permit holders have 30 days from the date of false alarm notice to file an appeal. 
  • If a location has five false alarms that are upheld on appeal, the alarms division notifies the Denver Police Department to put it into "general response" status. "General response" means no officers will be dispatched, but a general call will be broadcast. An officer will respond if they are in the area and available.

Request cancellations by emailing alarms@denvergov.org if you change locations, move or no longer have an alarm system.

There are no refunds for any cancellation.

To update the company that monitors and maintains your alarm system, complete the alarm permit update form.

Name changes FOR INDIVIDUALS are only allowed in the following scenarios:

  1. Death of the permit holder, survivor controls property
  2. Trusts assuming control of property

Name changes FOR COMPANIES are only allowed with proof of a trade name change with the Secretary of State.

To submit a name change request, complete the alarm permit name change request form. 

If you do not meet either of the requirements listed above, please request to cancel the existing permit by emailing alarms@denvergov.org and then apply for a new permit.

The Department's policy is to have one online account per customer. Do not submit new permit applications from a company account. When applying for a permit on behalf of a customer, create an account using the customer's name and email. This is to prevent issues in managing the customer's permit in our licensing system.

Municipal Code

Denver Revised Municipal Code

Definition 42-104

Requirements 42-105

Fees 32-46.5

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