Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Nassau County, New York

Quick Answer: Nassau County requires fire alarm permits through the Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office ($90 every 3 years) plus police alarm registration through NCPD ($100 residential/$200 commercial every 2 years). You'll need a NYS Fire Alarm Installer License (81-hour training plus state exam) to install fire alarm systems. Permits can only be obtained through licensed alarm companies registered with the Fire Marshal.

When Is a Permit Required?

Fire alarm permits in Nassau County are required for:

• New fire alarm system installations
• Residential fire alarms connected to monitoring
• Commercial fire alarm systems
• Fire alarm system modifications or upgrades
• Relocation of existing fire alarm systems
• Integration with sprinkler monitoring

Two Separate Registrations Required

Nassau County has a dual-permit system:

1. Fire Marshal Permit: Required for fire alarm systems
2. Police Alarm Registration: Required for all alarm systems connected to monitoring

Permit Exemptions

You may not need permits for:

• Battery-operated smoke detectors (standalone)
• Single-family residential fire alarms not connected to monitoring (verify with Fire Marshal)
• Self-installed systems by property owners on their own property

Important: Most fire alarm installations in Nassau County require permits. Contact the Fire Marshal at (516) 573-9870 to verify your specific requirements.

Contractor Licensing Requirements

New York State mandates licensing for fire alarm installations:

NYS Fire Alarm Installer License

Per the NYS Department of State, all fire alarm installers must be licensed. Requirements include:

• Age: Minimum 18 years old
• Training: 81-hour approved course (four 15-hour modules plus one 21-hour module)
• Examination: Pass the NYS Fire Alarm Installer Exam (150 minutes, open-book, multiple choice)
• Fingerprinting: Electronic fingerprinting by approved vendor
• Fees: $185 (after exam) or $200 (without exam)

For complete state licensing information, see our New York Low Voltage License Guide.

License Exemptions

• Property owners installing on their own property
• Employees installing on employer's property
• Master electricians (must register but exempt from exam)
• Motor vehicles, boats, or aircraft systems

Penalty for Unlicensed Work

Installing fire alarm systems without a license in New York can result in fines up to $10,000.

Nassau County Fire Marshal Permit Process

Step 1: Use a Registered Alarm Company

Important: Fire alarm permits can only be obtained through licensed alarm companies registered with the Nassau County Fire Marshal. Property owners cannot apply directly.

Step 2: Submit Application

Your alarm company will submit:

• Fire Alarm Permit Application
• System design and specifications
• Device locations and coverage
• Company license verification

Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office
Nassau County Public Safety Center
1194 Prospect Avenue
Westbury, NY 11590
Phone: (516) 573-9870
General: (516) 573-9900

Step 3: Rough-Out Work Permit

For new construction or major renovations, obtain a Fire Alarm System Rough Out Work Permit before installation begins.

Step 4: Inspections

• Rough-in inspection (before concealment)
• Final inspection with system test
• Documentation of NFPA 72 compliance

Nassau County Police Alarm Registration

Separate from Fire Marshal permits, all monitored alarm systems must register with NCPD:

Registration Requirements

Type	Initial Fee	Renewal Fee	Term
Residential	$100	$100	2 years
Commercial	$200	$200	2 years

Nassau County Police Alarm Permit Section
Phone: (516) 573-7862
Online: alarm.pdcn.org

False Alarm Policy

• Registered locations: 2 false alarms allowed before fines
• Unregistered locations: Fined on first false alarm plus registration fee
• Permits are non-transferable between properties

Fees Summary

Fee Type	Amount	Frequency	Agency
Fire alarm permit	$90	Every 3 years	Fire Marshal
Residential alarm registration	$100	Every 2 years	NCPD
Commercial alarm registration	$200	Every 2 years	NCPD
Rough-out permit	Varies	Per project	Fire Marshal

Processing Timeline

• Fire Marshal permit: 5-15 business days
• Police registration: Immediate to 5 business days (online)
• Permit renewal: Official permit mailed within 60 days (temporary available immediately)

Residential vs. Commercial Requirements

Residential Fire Alarms

For single-family homes in Nassau County:

• Fire Marshal permit required if connected to monitoring
• Police registration required for monitored systems
• Must use licensed alarm company for installation
• Smoke detector placement per NYS Fire Code
• CO detector requirements per local code

Commercial Fire Alarms

Commercial installations require:

• Fire Marshal permit mandatory
• Police registration mandatory
• Full NFPA 72 compliance
• Engineered system design
• Fire department connection and annunciator
• Annual inspection documentation
• Integration with sprinkler monitoring

Fire Prevention Ordinance Compliance

The Nassau County Fire Prevention Ordinance establishes requirements for:

• Automatic fire extinguishing systems
• Fire alarm systems
• Fire and smoke detection systems
• Fire sprinkler systems

All installations must comply with these uniform regulations for fire hazard control.

Pro Tips from Experienced Contractors

1. Use a Fire Marshal-registered company. Property owners cannot obtain fire alarm permits directly—you must work through a company registered with the Nassau County Fire Marshal. Verify registration before signing contracts.

2. Understand both permit requirements. Many contractors forget about NCPD registration after obtaining Fire Marshal permits. Both are required for monitored systems, and unregistered systems face immediate fines on false alarms.

3. Plan for the renewal cycle. Fire Marshal permits (3 years) and police registration (2 years) renew on different schedules. Set calendar reminders to avoid lapses. Online renewal is available for both.

4. Document NFPA 72 compliance. Nassau County Fire Marshal inspectors expect full documentation of NFPA 72 compliance including device spacing calculations, notification appliance coverage, and battery calculations.

5. Coordinate with local building departments. Nassau County contains multiple municipalities. Building permits may be required separately from Fire Marshal permits depending on your town or village.

Online Services

Nassau County offers online services for fire alarm permits:

• Fire Alarm Permit Renewal: ncfm.localitymedia.com
• Police Alarm Registration: alarm.pdcn.org
• Forms Download: nassaucountyny.gov forms

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Related Resources

• New York Low Voltage License Requirements
• NYS Fire Alarm Installer License
• Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office
• Nassau County Police Alarm Registration

Last updated: January 2025. Requirements may change—always verify with the Nassau County Fire Marshal and Police Department before beginning work.