Registering your fire or burglar alarm with the City of Evanston helps our first responders protect your home or business. During the registration process, we will ask for the contact information of keyholders connected to your alarm system. This can help Evanston 911 get in touch with you or your keyholders while you are out of town or unable to respond.

For more information about Alarm Registrations in the Evanston City Code, refer to Title 9, Chapter 10 "Regulating the Installation and Use of Alarm Systems."

The City of Evanston cannot recommend a specific brand of thrid-party monitoring systems or alarm companies to use. However, here is a list of the nearly 200 companies that are currently being used by members of the Evanston community (as of August 2021).

If you have installed a fire or burglar alarm system in your home or business that is connected to a third-party monitoring service you must register your alarm with the City of Evanston.

A local smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm that is not connected to a third-party monitoring service in your home does not need to be registered with the City of Evanston.

To register your alarm, call the Evanston 311 (847-448-4311) to speak with a 311 agent or submit your registration through the Evanston 311 app or online.

Here is the information you will be asked to provide for your alarm registration:

• The address where the alarm is installed
• The name/brand of the third-party monitoring system ("alarm company") and their customer service phone number
  • Also specifying if it a "Fire Only," "Burglar Only," or "Fire and Burglar" alarm system.
• The billing address of the person financially responsible for the alarm system
• The name, phone number, and email of the person financially responsible for the alarm system
• The name, phone number, and email of the primary occupant/resident of the residence where the alarm system is installed
• The name, phone number and email address of any additional key holders
  • This can be anyone whom you want listed in our records as a point of contact in the event that we cannot get in touch with the primary occupant/resident

Please note as of January 1, 2024 all fire alarm renewals will now be due on the month of your initial registration. You will receive an invoice in the mail closer to that time, and will have 60 days to make the payment of $30.

If you have any questions about your due date, please call 311 and ask for the Fire Department. 

More information can be found on the City Code, Title 9, Chapter 10 - Regulating the Installation and Use of Alarm Systems.