CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: November 19, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Darren Goodman, Chief of Police
Department: Police
Subject: Adopt Resolution for Security Alarm Program – Fee Exemptions and Master Fee Schedule Update (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, adopt Resolution No. 2025-390 to:
1. Exempt all City-owned or operated buildings and departments from annual security alarm system permit fees, while maintaining compliance with registration and other ordinance requirements; and
2. Amend the City’s Master Fee Schedule to provide written eligibility criteria for the low-income resident security alarm system permit fee.
City Manager's Comments
The City Manager recommends approval of the amendment to the City’s Master Fee schedule.
Executive Summary
The City’s Security Alarm Systems Ordinance (Chapter 8.81 of the San Bernardino Municipal Code) requires alarm owners to register their systems and pay applicable fees established by the Mayor and City Council. The ordinance applies uniformly, with no exemption for City-owned or operated buildings and departments (“departments”).
Additionally, while the City’s Master Fee Schedule includes a reduced permit fee for low-income residents, it does not define eligibility criteria.
This report recommends that the Mayor and City Council adopt a resolution to exempt City departments from annual alarm permit fees and amend the Master Fee Schedule to include written low-income eligibility criteria based on 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). These actions will provide administrative clarity, promote fairness and consistency, and are expected to have negligible fiscal impact.
Background
In a review of the current Security Alarm System program, established under Chapter
8.81 of the San Bernardino Municipal Code, staff identified two areas requiring clarification and formal Council action to ensure consistent and efficient administration:
1. The applicability of alarm permit fees to City departments.
2. Establishing defined eligibility criteria for the low-income reduced permit fee.
The ordinance establishes requirements for alarm system registration and fee assessments as approved by the Mayor and City Council. The current permit fee is $30 annually, and the ordinance applies uniformly to all alarm users, with no exemptions, including for City departments.
Additionally, the City’s Master Fee Schedule, approved on May 20, 2020, lists a reduced security alarm permit fee of $15 per year for low-income residents but does not specify eligibility standards. This absence of written criteria has resulted in ambiguity for both staff and applicants.
Discussion
Exemption for City Departments
Although the ordinance does not provide any exemptions, annual permit fees have historically been waived for City departments, as collecting them offers little practical benefit and is administratively burdensome. Any fees collected would be returned to the City’s General Fund, creating unnecessary bookkeeping without enhancing compliance or public safety. Formalizing a fee exemption for City departments provides administrative clarity, ensures continued compliance with registration requirements, and aligns with best practices. All other registration and ordinance requirements will remain applicable.
Low-Income Resident Fee Eligibility
Many income-based assistance programs determine eligibility using a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). It is recommended the City establish 200% of the FPL for gross income as the eligibility threshold for the reduced permit fee. This aligns with established income-based assistance programs such as CalFresh and ensures equitable access for qualifying residents.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Goal #1(a): Improved Operational and Finance Capacity
This action supports the City’s goal of improving operational and financial capacity by establishing clear policy direction. Formalizing fee exemptions for City departments and defining eligibility criteria for low-income residents provides consistent administrative guidance, reduces ambiguity, and enhances efficiency in program administration.
Fiscal Impact
Exempting City departments from the annual alarm permit fees has negligible fiscal impact as fees would remain within the City. Providing eligibility criteria for low-income residents does not affect revenue but ensures appropriate application of the reduced fee.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, adopt Resolution No. 2025-390:
1. Exempt all City-owned or operated buildings and departments from annual security alarm system permit fees, while maintaining compliance with registration and other ordinance requirements; and
2. Amend the City’s Master Fee Schedule to provide written eligibility criteria for the low-income resident security alarm permit fee.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Resolution No. 2025-390
Attachment 2 – City of San Bernardino Master Fee Schedule Attachment 3 – City of San Bernardino Master Fee Schedule – with proposed revision
Attachment 4 – 2025 Poverty Guidelines
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
May 20, 2020 The Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020- 106 establishing certain fees for services and regulatory activity furnished by the City of San Bernardino
CC: Eric Levitt, City Manager