Understanding alarm permits

Most cities and towns require a permit for professionally monitored security systems. Before you turn on Ring Alarm Professional Monitoring with your Ring Home Premium plan, check if your area requires a permit and apply for the permit if needed.

Why permits matter

• Emergency services might not respond to your alarms
• You could face fines for false alarms

Checking for permit requirements

If you haven't signed up for Professional Monitoring:

• Search your local government or police department website.
• Call your local government offices.

If you've signed up for Professional Monitoring:

• Ring will email you about local permit requirements (US and Canada, except Quebec).
• Tell the Ring Permit Team if you already have a permit from another system.
• Wait for Ring's email confirming if you need a permit.

Types of permits

• A single alarm permit that covers everything for your residence or business.
• Separate police and fire alarm permits if there is no combined option.

Obtaining an alarm permit

When you add Alarm Professional Monitoring, your system will go into Practice Mode for seven days. Learn more about using Practice Mode. Apply for your permit during this time to avoid false alarms. You will receive an email from Ring after signing up for Professional Monitoring with next steps for obtaining your permit if required.

Applying for a permit yourself

Gathering required information: You will need to provide the property owner’s name, address, and phone number and the names and phone numbers of your emergency contacts. Additionally, you will need to provide information on the alarm company or provider. For details about the central monitoring service, please contact our Customer Support team for assistance.

Ring Alarm Company Details:

Ring Protect Inc.

12515 Cerise Ave.

Hawthorne, CA 90250

Phone: (800) 656-1918

Ring license number, which can be found at Ring.com/licenses.

Filling out the application: The email you receive after signing up for professional monitoring will contain the name of the agencies you will need to contact for more information about your permit or a link to your permit application and the alarm or fire ordinance (if it is available online). You might have the option to fill out the form online.

Submitting the application: Follow the directions on the form or website for your jurisdiction to submit the application and any fees. Pricing for alarm permit fees will vary by jurisdiction. You might be required to print the application and submit the form in person at a local municipal office.

Ring applying for a permit on your behalf

Providing the requested information: You will receive an email with more information about the cost of your permit and a list of any other information that we need to complete your application. Reply to the email with any requested information. Once we receive the required information, Ring will send you an invoice and complete the application process through your jurisdiction.

Receiving a confirmation email: Ring will send you a confirmation email once the application is processed. Pay attention to any additional instructions included in the email. If a signature is needed for your permit we will mail or email you the form. Please follow the directions, sign the permit application, and send the signed form back to us right away.

Completing the permit process

Confirming your permit has been filed: You may get a physical alarm permit in the mail, an email confirming that your permit has been processed and is on file, or no confirmation at all. If you receive a confirmation containing a permit number and an expiration date, remember to add this information to your Ring account so that the monitoring center can provide it to local authorities for dispatch.

Updating permit information in the Ring app

Follow these steps to add your alarm permit information:

1. Open the Ring app to the main dashboard.
2. Tap the menu

   (☰).
3. Tap

   Settings

   .
4. Tap

   Monitoring

   .
5. Tap

   Permits

   under the Resources section.
6. Choose which type of permit details you would like to update:
   1. Select

      Security Alarm Permit

      .
   2. Or, select

      Fire Permit

      .
7. Input your updated permit details. If you live in a jurisdiction that does not require a permit number or an expiration date, you can enter “registered” and leave the expiration date number blank.
8. Tap

   Save

   .

Helpful tips and reminders

Renewing , updating and adding an Alarm Permit

• If you move, you might need to apply for a new permit. Make sure that you update your Professional Monitoring location details with your new address.
• If you add a Smoke & CO Listener or the First Alert Smoke and CO Alarm to your residential Ring Alarm, you may need another permit specifically for fire monitoring.
• Reach out to your local police department or city government directly to make sure you have the most current information, and update or renew your permit when needed. Permit expiration time will vary according to your local laws. Your jurisdiction might refer to an alarm permit as an alarm registration in some cases.
• If you have a permit with a different alarm system and switch to Ring Alarm or obtained a business alarm permit previously for a different alarm system, please email the permit team at

  permits@rs.ring.com

  and let us know to avoid duplication.

Using Alarm Permits for commercial locations

• Ring Alarm cannot be used to provide professional smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring at commercial locations.

  Learn more about smoke and carbon monoxide Professional Monitoring at commercial properties.
• To avoid potential fees or fines,

  learn more about preventing false alarms at commercial locations.