If you have a monitored security or fire alarm system in your home or business, the cost of a false alarm is about to change.

HRM recorded approximately 5,200 false alarm incidents in 2025. Every one of those pulled a police officer or firefighter away from something that might have been real. The municipality says the new fee structure is meant to recover some of those costs and put the accountability on alarm system owners.

The biggest change: false alarms no longer get a free first pass. Under the old structure, your first false alarm in a 12-month period cost nothing, with escalating fees after that. Under the new by-law, every false alarm costs money from the first one.

Commercial properties and multi-unit residential buildings will pay $300 per false alarm. Residential properties with fewer than three units will pay $50.

The new fees take effect Tuesday, September 1. If your alarm system has a history of going off on its own, now is the time to get it serviced.

More information is available at halifax.ca/home-property/building-development-permits/security-fire-alarms. The full by-law is By-law B-400.

HRM release:

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026 (Halifax, N.S.) – The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that a new false alarm fee structure for security and fire alarm systems will take effect on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

False alarms occur regularly and can divert police officers and firefighters from actual emergencies, creating operational and financial impacts. The Halifax Regional Municipality recorded approximately 5,200 false alarm incidents in 2025.

The new structure includes:

• A $300 flat fee per false alarm for commercial properties and multi-unit residential buildings; and,
• A flat fee of $50 per alarm for residential properties with fewer than three units. 

Under the previous structure, the first false alarm within a 12‑month period was free, with fees increasing to $200 for the second occurrence, $300 for the third and $500 for each additional false alarm.

By-law B-400, Respecting Burglary, Robbery and Fire Alarm Systems, intends to impose accountability on owners of alarm systems that are activated and result in emergency services responding unnecessarily. Changes to the by-law attempt to recover some costs incurred by police and fire services when responding to false alarms. 

For more information, visit our website.