Frequently Asked Questions
All residential and commercial locations in the City of Vista with an active alarm system are required by Ordinance to have an alarm permit.
Please complete the online registration form
You may also contact the City of Vista Alarm Program:
Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm PST
Email: vistaca@citysupport.org
Phone: (888) 865-9770
Commercial / Residential Permit Registration Fee: $51
Commercial / Residential Annual Permit renewal Fee: $0
*Permits will automatically renew at no cost annually once registered.
The alarm ordinance is posted online on this website - Vista Municipal Code Chapter 8.44
An Alarm user shall be subject to fines, depending on the number of false alarms within a rolling 365 day period, based upon the following schedule:
1st & 2nd False Alarm - $0
3rd False Alarm - $100
4th False Alarm - $200
5th+ False Alarm(s) - $500/each
Over 98 percent of the alarm signals generated in the United States end up being false. Responding to false alarms takes emergency responders away from actual emergency situations. In an effort to make alarm users aware of this problem and mitigate the incidence of false alarms, the City of Vista enacted a False Alarm Ordinance (Municipal Code, Chapter 8.44). The Ordinance requires that all owners of an active alarm system (both residential and business) obtain a permit and pay fines to the City for excessive false alarm activity.
"False Alarm" means the activation of alarm system responded to by any public agency through mechanical failure or malfunction, or accidental tripping, misoperation or misuse by the lessee or owner of the alarm system or his employee or agent. Mechanical failure or malfunction caused by negligent maintenance of the system is also included in this definition. Upon failure of the Sheriff or Fire Department to find any evidence of intrusion, fire or other need or cause for activating an alarm system, a conclusive presumption of false alarm will be made. "Person" means a person, firm, corporation, association, partnership, individual, organization or company.
No, you will never be assessed a fee for a legitimate alarm/panic signal.
Right to Appeal
Alarm Owners have the right to appeal a False Alarm violation within fifteen (15) calendar days following the date of mailing of a False Alarm Notice, pursuant to VMC 8.44.060. An appeal must be made in writing to the Code Enforcement Division , 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista CA 92084 or via email at codeenforcement@cityofvista.com. The appeal will result in administrative review by the City Manager, or his designee and results of the appeal will be available within ten (10) days of appeal submission. Failure to properly file an appeal within fifteen (15) calendar days shall constitute a waiver of his or her right to an administrative review or hearing and shall constitute the total amount of the fine.
Yes, you can pay for any fees due on your account via this website by clicking on the home tab and logging in with credentials initiated by APS/CitySupport and secured by the alarm user. Vista Alarm Program Website
Vista Alarm Program
Dept LA 25484
Pasadena, CA 91185
No. Alarm Permits are not transferable from one property location to another.