The City of Salem strongly supports the installation and use of alarm systems by City residents and businesses.
With the number of fire alarm installations in the City growing, false fire alarms could present a major resource issue. Associated with this, comes the danger posed to officers and citizens alike during police/fire response.
To counter this, Salem City Council established an Fire Alarm Ordinance SRC Chapter 38. Code is subject to change at any time, please always review the SRC for most current indicator of requirements. The Alarm Permits ordinance requires:
1) All fire alarms which are designed to notify someone outside of the home/business of fire, are to have an Fire Alarm Permit. There are two types of alarm systems that the ordinance covers: fire-monitored or universal (both police- and fire-monitored). Police-only monitored systems do not currently require an Alarm Permit.
2) Repeated, preventable false fire alarms could be assessed a fee. The assessed fee increases as the number of preventable false fire alarms increase.
3) That a false fire alarm which resulted from circumstances beyond the owner's control or unanticipated mechanical failures which are promptly repaired may be excused. See the SRC ordinance (beginning 38.170) for what may be considered a chargeable false alarm and what is considered an excusable alarm.
4) The fire alarm permit fee is $25.00 - new or renewal unless otherwise indicated on the Alarm Permit Application. The term of the permit is 1 year from issue date for universal alarms (Residential and Commercial) and for fire-monitored alarms for Commercial. The term of the permit is 2 years for fire-monitored alarms for Residential.
5) Renewals are processed monthly for those permits expiring in the upcoming month. Renewal letters and invoices are sent out to all Applicants. If you live in a home that has a fire-monitored alarm system but you were not the Applicant on the previous year's permit and you plan on continuing fire-monitoring service, please apply for a new permit at the City's Permit Application Center at 555 Liberty St SE, Room 320, or call 503-588-6256 for more information.
Generally at installation, your monitoring company should also advise you to get a Fire Alarm Permit as per requirements.
The ordinance is not intended to generate monies to cover the cost of the City's response to fire alarms. It is intended to encourage fire alarm owners to train employees or family members in the proper use of the system and to keep it in good repair.
IMPORTANT NOTE: New Commercial (i.e. business complexes, etc) and Multifamily (i.e. apartment complexes, etc) construction may require an Fire Alarm Permit. Non-sprinkled Multifamily construction with 16 units or more, require fire-monitored alarms - and - sprinkled Multifamily construction with less than 16 units but with 20 or more sprinkler heads installed also require fire-monitored alarms. Commercial construction with 20 or more sprinkler heads installed requires a fire-monitored alarm.
The City hopes the ordinance is not a deterrent to you - it isn't intended to be. If we can be of assistance to you or if you have any questions regarding the fire alarm ordinance, please do not hesitate to contact the Permit Application Center at 503-588-6256.