Oakland Fire Department

False Alarm Program

Oakland Municipal Code 15.12.160 - False Fire Alarms: "The purpose of this section is to promote the responsible use of fire alarm systems, to set forth additional regulations for the use of fire alarm systems and to provide for service fees and for cost recovery of services fees for violations of this ordinance. Furthermore, the provisions of this chapter are intended to reduce the number of false alarm activations and responses by the Oakland Fire Department."

Multiple fire alarms not related to testing will result in fee assessment, beginning with the second commercial and the third residential false alarm occurrence in any six month period.
Appeal Filing. Any person or business assessed fees who wishes to appeal the validity of a false alarm determination by the Fire Department must submit a written request for appeal to the Fire Prevention Bureau designee within ten (10) days of having received a notice of the false alarm. The written appeal request must contain sufficient information to determine the events surrounding the Fire Department’s response. Failure to contest the determination in the required time period results in a conclusive presumption that the alarm was false.

False Alarm Appeal Form

For Questions, Call (510) 238-4077