Permits

The Police Department has several responsibilities including managing Business and Residential Alarm Permits, Administers the Voluntary Tow Program and provides oversight of businesses regulated by City, State, and Federal laws.

Residential and Business Alarm Permit Program

Alarms were originally designed to reduce crime, protect lives and property. Properly installed, used and maintained, alarms can be a real asset. When misused, alarms become a liability and have the potential to endanger the safety and welfare of the public, responsible parties and responding agencies.  

To mitigate the challenges associated with alarms, Chapter 8.40 of the Santa Clara City Code, titled False Alarm Regulation, requires residential and business alarms to be registered. 

Failure to acquire an alarm permit in the city is an infraction and may result in additional fees.  It can also be grounds for suspension of police or fire response to an alarm site. 

Complete details about the City's Residential and Business Alarm Permit program, including which types of alarms need to be registered, false alarm statistics and response details, most frequent causes of false alarms, details about the management of the program and how to register your alarm are available online.

Voluntary Tow Program

The unit also manages the Voluntary Tow Program as part of the on-going Neighborhood Improvement Program.

Oversight of Santa Clara Businesses

The businesses that come under scrutiny of the Permits Unit include:
•          licensed bingo organizations
•          taxi cab drivers
•          massage establishments
•          firearm dealers
•          second hand dealers
•          pawn shops
•          pedi-cabs
•          contracted tow companies
•          solicitors and peddlers
•          mobile food trucks
•          curb painters
•          adult bookstores
•          private patrol operators
•          funeral escort services
•          closing-out sales

The unit conducts inspections, yearly renewals, and investigates complaints against the regulated businesses to ensure full compliance with all the appropriate laws and regulations. The Permits Unit operates on an appointment only schedule. For more information, please contact a Community Service Officer at 408-615-4867.

Santa Clara Municipal Code

• Massage Chapter 5.40
• Taxicabs Chapter 5.35
• Private Patrol Chapter 5.55
• Solicitors and Peddlers Chapter 5.05
• False Alarm Regulation Chapter 8.40

Registration Procedures and Applications

• Business Entertainment Permit Application
• Massage Establishment New Application
• Massage Establishment Renewal
• Massage Establishment Permit Amendment
• Mobile Food Truck Application
• Mobile Food Peddler Insurance Specifications
• Pedi-cab Driver Application Procedures
• Pedi-cab Driver Application
• Private Patrol Operator Regulations
• Private Patrol Application
• Solicitor/Peddler Application    
• Taxi Driver Application Procedures
• Taxi Driver Application
• Tow Driver Application

Requests for Special Events Permits (e.g. fun run/walk, parade, etc.) are coordinated by the Special Operations Division.

Outdoor amplification of Music Permits are facilitated at City Hall via the Business License Office at 1500 Warburton Avenue. For more information, call 408-615-2310.