The City of San Diego instituted a False Alarm Program to help reduce the excessive number of false alarms occurring within the city. A false alarm is an alarm activation causing a response by the Fire-Rescue Department when an emergency situation does not exist. The majority of alarms that the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department responds to are false, resulting in a waste of resources by reducing emergency unit availability and creating unnecessary danger to citizens and firefighters. For excessive responses, a cost recovery fee and a penalty may be assessed to the permit holder. Additional information about false alarms can be found in the resources below:

• Disrupted Service Policy
• False Alarms - Frequently Asked Questions
• San Diego Municipal Code - Chapter 5, Article 11, Division 83: Fire and Harmful Gas Emergency Alarms

For further assistance, please contact the false alarm administrator at (619) 533-4371 or email Firealarmsclerk@sandiego.gov