Understanding the Lafayette Alarm Ordinance: What Alarm Users and Alarm Companies Must Know

The Lafayette Alarm Ordinance, established through Ordinance O-246-98 and later amended by O-114-2008, sets the standards for how alarm users, alarm installation companies, and monitoring providers must operate within the City of Lafayette. Its primary purpose is to reduce false alarm dispatches, maintain current and accurate records, and ensure that life-safety and property-protection systems are installed, monitored, and maintained responsibly. Under this ordinance, every alarm user must obtain an alarm permit before any new activation, system conversion, or takeover. Alarm companies are responsible for ensuring that a permit is in place prior to beginning monitoring or installation services. A company that activates or takes over a system without verifying a valid user permit is in violation of Section 32-44 and may face fines ranging from $100 to $250 for each 30-day period in which the violation occurs. These fines underscore the importance of compliance and are designed to reinforce the city’s efforts to prevent repeated false alarms and misuse of emergency response resources.

Alarm companies and monitoring centers also carry specific responsibilities under the Lafayette ordinance. Each company engaging in business within the city must register annually with the Lafayette Police Department’s Alarm Administrator. This registration does not require a fee, but it must be completed by January 15 each year to remain in good standing. As part of their ongoing obligations, companies must maintain accurate and updated records for all alarm users, including current names, telephone numbers, and alternative contact information. They are also expected to provide proper employee training on false alarm prevention, designate a False Alarm Coordinator to manage alarm issues, and proactively assist customers who experience recurring false alarms. The attached document explains that when a user reaches four false alarm dispatches in a one-year period, companies are encouraged to send a technician to assess the system or have the coordinator work with the customer to identify contributing factors and reduce further activations. This collaborative effort between users and providers is a central component of Lafayette’s false alarm reduction strategy.

The ordinance also outlines proper procedures for reporting and canceling burglary alarms to ensure efficient communication with emergency responders. If a monitoring center is located within Lafayette’s local calling area, alarm signals must be reported to 911. Centers located outside the local calling area must use the designated long-distance number, (337) 232-1400. The Lafayette Police Department specifically instructs alarm companies not to use any other departmental numbers for alarm reporting or cancelation, as doing so disrupts established communication protocols. Additionally, the city asks alarm companies to gather household or business pet information from alarm users so that first responders can approach the property more safely during an emergency call. This includes details such as pet type, color, name, and where the animal is typically located inside the premises.

False alarm fines, permit registrations, updates, and renewals are handled through the City of Lafayette’s False Alarm Reduction Program, managed by PM-AM. Users can apply for permits, update information, or pay false alarm fees online at www.famspermit.com/lafayette, by phone at 1-877-875-9177, or by mail to the address listed in the ordinance materials. A mobile app, FAMS-ALM, is also available for those who prefer digital access. Maintaining an active permit and updating information whenever changes occur are essential parts of remaining compliant with the ordinance. Failure to do so may result in fines, service interruptions, or additional enforcement actions by the city.

The Lafayette Alarm Ordinance reflects a shared responsibility among alarm users, alarm companies, monitoring centers, and public safety agencies. By ensuring that systems are properly permitted, monitored, and maintained—and by taking reasonable steps to reduce false alarms—everyone contributes to a safer community and more efficient emergency response. The ordinance is not simply a regulatory requirement; it is a coordinated effort to ensure that police, fire, and EMS resources remain available for true emergencies and that alarm systems continue to serve as reliable tools for protecting lives and property.