False Alarms

Program Designed to Regulate & Reduce False Fire Alarms

Norfolk City Council adopted Article VI. - Fire False Alarms Section 17.1-65 on July 1, 2018 pertaining to fire alarms, in an effort to enhance public safety and reduce the unnecessary expenditure of public resources when public safety agencies respond to false alarms. The ordinances are also designed to provide regulation for the use and operation of residential and commercial fire alarms; this is achieved by completing the appropriate registration form and forwarding it to: 

Norfolk Fire-Rescue
Fire Marshal's Office
100 Brooke Avenue
Suite 400
Norfolk, VA 23501
Telephone: 757-664-6604
Fax Number : 757-441-2537
Email Fire-Rescue

Helpful Documents

There is no fee charged for registration of alarm systems or alarm companies.

Service Charges 

For a non-commercial unit, each false alarm, after three false alarms in a 6-month period, originating from the same location, shall be assessed a service fee of $75 per incident.

For a commercial unit, each false alarm, after three false alarms in a 6-month period, originating from the same location, shall be assessed a service fee of $150 per incident

The fire chief or his designee shall bill each user responsible for the false alarm with the appropriate service fee. All such fees shall be paid within 30 days of billing.

For questions regarding your fire alarm contact the Norfolk Fire-Rescue Fire Marshal's office at 757-664-6604.

Alarm Reduction Tips

Most false alarms are caused by user error. By following these simple steps, you can greatly reduce your chances of creating a false alarm.

  • Instruct everyone who has a key on how to operate the alarm and how to cancel false alarms.
  • Improper cooking methods, unattended cooking, and or other negligent practices.
  • Poorly placed detector heads.
  • Notify your alarm company immediately if you think your system is not working properly. Schedule routine maintenance and check your system's batteries often.
  • Ensure proper notification has been made when maintenance is being performed on the system.