Alarm Registration
Purpose of the Law
The alarm registration ordinance (Metropolitan Code §10.60) was enacted to reduce the number of false burglar and fire alarms reported. Registration creates a database for emergency personnel to know where alarm systems are located and who to contact in case of alarm activation. Citizens are encouraged to train other residents or employees on the use of their alarm system to prevent false alarms.
Registration Procedure
I. Registration
In person:
A permit may be obtained in person at:
Metropolitan Clerk's Office
Historic Metropolitan Courthouse, Suite 205
1 Public Square
Nashville, Tennessee 37201
The Metropolitan Clerk’s Office is located in the Metropolitan Courthouse at 1 Public Square, on the Second floor in Suite 205. The Metropolitan Courthouse is the gray stone building bordered by Union Street, Third Avenue North, James Robertson Parkway and Gay Street.
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Closed on all Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County observed holidays.
To get directions: Map and Directions.
The Metropolitan Clerk's office does NOT provide free parking and does NOT validate parking. The Nashville Downtown Partnership provides a Location Guide to many downtown parking lots, including the Public Square Garage at the Metro Courthouse.
or
By mail:
You may also fill out and mail the alarm registration form along with your payment to:
Alarm Registration
P.O. Box 196321
Nashville, Tennessee 37219-6321
II. Payment
The permit fee is $20.00 for residential systems and $50.00 for commercial systems. All permits expire April 1 each year.
Make your check or money order payable to the Metropolitan Government. We do NOT accept debit or credit cards.
III. Decal
When the payment and registration form have been received, the Metropolitan Clerk’s Office will mail you the decal.
A renewal notice will be sent the following year to the current permit holder. Your permit number will change every year when you renew your alarm registration.
IV. Decal Display
The decal must be displayed either on a front window or door so that emergency responders may easily see it.
Change of Registration Information
Changes are accepted at the time of renewal each year. Changes occurring after renewal can be made by sending the revised information and a $2.50 computer fee to the Metropolitan Clerk’s Office. Changes cannot be made over the phone, by email or by fax.
You may change your alarm permit registration to another address located in Davidson County by mailing the registration form with the change to the Clerk’s Office along with a change fee of $2.50. If you are unable to remove the decal in a usable condition, you may obtain a duplicate decal for an additional $2.50. Changes cannot be made over the phone, by email or by fax.
Cancellation
If you move, you must cancel your alarm permit by sending notice to the Clerk’s Office and you must remove the decal from your property. Removal of the decal will prevent you from acquiring permit violations when you no longer live at the registered address. You may cancel your permit by mail or by email, alarms@nashville.gov. There is no fee for cancellations.
Revocation of Permits
The Metro Nashville Police or Fire Department may file a request for the revocation of the permit with the Board of Alarm Appeals if the permit holder has exceeded the allowable number of false alarms. The Metropolitan Clerk’s Office will notify the permit holder that a request for a proposed revocation has been filed with the Board of Alarm Appeals. The permit holder may appeal the proposed revocation of the permit by requesting in writing a hearing before the Board of Alarm Appeals for a nonrefundable appeal fee of $75.00 within fifteen days of receipt of the notice.
For further information send requests to alarms@nashville.gov or call 615-862-6779.