If you own a business or live in the city of Memphis & have a monitored alarm system, then you are probably aware of the Metro Alarm Ordinance & the annual alarm permit fee. For those of you looking to do a deep dive into the ordinance itself and all things related to this ordinance, the City of Memphis has set up an informative website for your viewing/learning pleasure: https://memphistn.gov/alarms/

The Memphis alarm permit is mandatory for all monitored systems, while the new camera registry program, ConnectMemphis https://connect2memphis.org/, is voluntary if you have a security camera system within the city limits. The alarm ordinance is basically the city is trying to recoup costs related to emergency response to false alarms.

Alarm permitting & false alarms: • The City of Memphis still requires alarm permits for monitored systems; residents pay $30 (new), $10 (renewal) and businesses $60/$25, with metro alarm permits expiring June 30 each year and needing renewal to stay current. (The City of Memphis) • For permitted systems you get one free false alarm per year; after that, fines plus cost of service charges apply (police false alarm ~$90; fire ~$250). (The City of Memphis) • Unpermitted systems face extra fees and lose the free false alarm allowance. (The City of Memphis) • All of this matches what the City of Memphis alarm FAQ and permit pages show in 2025/2026 — no updated fee schedule, new workflow, or revised ordinance has been posted on official municipal portals with a 2026 effective date. (The City of Memphis) • Many local full-service alarm monitoring companies (Frase Protection is one) collect both the up front and annual fee as part of your monthly monitoring agreement and will pay the bill to the city for you each year. Call your provider or review your agreement for confirmation.

Camera registry via Connect Memphis: • The Connect Memphis public safety program continues to host an online camera registry where residents and businesses can list security cameras so MPD knows where cameras exist (without giving police automatic live stream access). (Connect Memphis) • MPD news announcements in early 2026 highlight the use of registered camera footage to help solve crimes and encourage people to register cameras to support investigations. (Memphis Police Department) • The registry is a voluntary tool — registering doesn’t grant police direct access unless owners choose deeper integration — and it remains unchanged in structure. (Connect Memphis)

In short, the Metro Alarm permit requirements/fees haven’t shifted and the Connect Memphis camera registry continues expanding participation without any newly posted ordinance or fee change on official Memphis city sites as of March 5, 2026. Safety & security is managed on both a public and individual level, so it's good to know how to merge these dynamics into your personal strategy.