diff --git a/config/openalpr.conf.in b/config/openalpr.conf.defaults
similarity index 100%
rename from config/openalpr.conf.in
rename to config/openalpr.conf.defaults
diff --git a/config/openalpr.conf.user b/config/openalpr.conf.user
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3263d90
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/openalpr.conf.user
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+; This configuration file overrides the default values specified 
+; in ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/share/openalpr/config/openalpr.defaults.conf
diff --git a/src/CMakeLists.txt b/src/CMakeLists.txt
index 1a48798..4d11a61 100644
--- a/src/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ add_definitions( -DOPENALPR_PATCH_VERSION=${OPENALPR_PATCH_VERSION})
 
 SET(CMAKE_MODULE_PATH "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake_modules/")
 
+add_definitions( -DINSTALL_PREFIX="${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}")
+
 # TODO: switch to http://www.cmake.org/cmake/help/v2.8.5/cmake.html#module:GNUInstallDirs ?
 IF (NOT CMAKE_INSTALL_SYSCONFDIR) 
   SET(CMAKE_INSTALL_SYSCONFDIR "/etc")
@@ -203,9 +205,12 @@ ENDIF()
 install (DIRECTORY  ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/../runtime_data DESTINATION         ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/share/openalpr)
 
 # set runtime_data to reflect the current CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX
-CONFIGURE_FILE(${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/../config/openalpr.conf.in ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/config/openalpr.conf)
+CONFIGURE_FILE(${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/../config/openalpr.conf.user ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/config/openalpr.conf)
 install (FILES      ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/config/openalpr.conf DESTINATION ${CMAKE_INSTALL_SYSCONFDIR}/openalpr/      COMPONENT config)
 
+CONFIGURE_FILE(${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/../config/openalpr.conf.defaults ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/share/openalpr/config/openalpr.defaults.conf)
+install (FILES      ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/share/openalpr/config/openalpr.defaults.conf DESTINATION ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/share/openalpr/config      COMPONENT config)
+
 IF (WITH_DAEMON)
   install (TARGETS    alprd DESTINATION  ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/bin)
   install (FILES      ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/../config/alprd.conf DESTINATION    ${CMAKE_INSTALL_SYSCONFDIR}/openalpr      COMPONENT config)
diff --git a/src/openalpr/CMakeLists.txt b/src/openalpr/CMakeLists.txt
index a8a2ac0..0177eb5 100644
--- a/src/openalpr/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/openalpr/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ set(lpr_source_files
  alpr.cpp
  alpr_impl.cpp
  config.cpp
+ config_helper.cpp
  detection/detector.cpp
  detection/detectorcpu.cpp
  detection/detectorcuda.cpp
diff --git a/src/openalpr/config.cpp b/src/openalpr/config.cpp
index ca274ee..14d368e 100644
--- a/src/openalpr/config.cpp
+++ b/src/openalpr/config.cpp
@@ -22,19 +22,14 @@
 #include "support/platform.h"
 #include "simpleini/simpleini.h"
 #include "utility.h"
+#include "config_helper.h"
 
 using namespace std;
 
 namespace alpr
 {
 
-  
-  int getInt(CSimpleIniA* ini, std::string section, std::string key, int defaultValue);
-  float getFloat(CSimpleIniA* ini, std::string section, std::string key, float defaultValue);
-  std::string getString(CSimpleIniA* ini, std::string section, std::string key, std::string defaultValue);
-  bool getBoolean(CSimpleIniA* ini, std::string section, std::string key, bool defaultValue);
-  std::vector<float> getAllFloats(CSimpleIniA* ini, string section, string key);
-  
+
   Config::Config(const std::string country, const std::string config_file, const std::string runtime_dir)
   {
 
@@ -85,8 +80,8 @@ namespace alpr
       std::cerr << "--(!)             e.g., /etc/openalpr/openalpr.conf" << endl;
       return;
     }
-
-
+    
+    
     loadCommonValues(config_file_path);
 
     if (runtime_dir.compare("") != 0)
@@ -153,13 +148,26 @@ namespace alpr
   void Config::loadCommonValues(string configFile)
   {
 
+    CSimpleIniA* ini = NULL;
     CSimpleIniA iniObj;
-    iniObj.LoadFile(configFile.c_str());
-    CSimpleIniA* ini = &iniObj;
-    
-    runtimeBaseDir = getString(ini, "", "runtime_dir", "/usr/share/openalpr/runtime_data");
+    if (fileExists(configFile.c_str()))
+    {
+      iniObj.LoadFile(configFile.c_str());
+      ini = &iniObj;
+    }
 
-    std::string detectorString = getString(ini, "", "detector", "lbpcpu");
+    
+    CSimpleIniA* defaultIni = NULL;
+    CSimpleIniA defaultIniObj;
+    if (fileExists(CONFIG_FILE_TEMPLATE_LOCATION))
+    {
+      defaultIniObj.LoadFile(CONFIG_FILE_TEMPLATE_LOCATION);
+      defaultIni = &defaultIniObj;
+    }
+    
+    runtimeBaseDir = getString(ini,defaultIni, "", "runtime_dir", DEFAULT_RUNTIME_DATA_DIR);
+   
+    std::string detectorString = getString(ini, defaultIni, "", "detector", "lbpcpu");
     std::transform(detectorString.begin(), detectorString.end(), detectorString.begin(), ::tolower);
 
     if (detectorString.compare("lbpcpu") == 0)
@@ -176,50 +184,50 @@ namespace alpr
       detector = DETECTOR_LBP_CPU;
     }
     
-    detection_iteration_increase = getFloat(ini, "", "detection_iteration_increase", 1.1);
-    detectionStrictness = getInt(ini, "", "detection_strictness", 3);
-    maxPlateWidthPercent = getFloat(ini, "", "max_plate_width_percent", 100);
-    maxPlateHeightPercent = getFloat(ini, "", "max_plate_height_percent", 100);
-    maxDetectionInputWidth = getInt(ini, "", "max_detection_input_width", 1280);
-    maxDetectionInputHeight = getInt(ini, "", "max_detection_input_height", 768);
+    detection_iteration_increase = getFloat(ini, defaultIni, "", "detection_iteration_increase", 1.1);
+    detectionStrictness = getInt(ini, defaultIni, "", "detection_strictness", 3);
+    maxPlateWidthPercent = getFloat(ini, defaultIni, "", "max_plate_width_percent", 100);
+    maxPlateHeightPercent = getFloat(ini, defaultIni, "", "max_plate_height_percent", 100);
+    maxDetectionInputWidth = getInt(ini, defaultIni, "", "max_detection_input_width", 1280);
+    maxDetectionInputHeight = getInt(ini, defaultIni, "", "max_detection_input_height", 768);
 
-    contrastDetectionThreshold = getFloat(ini, "", "contrast_detection_threshold", 0.3);
+    contrastDetectionThreshold = getFloat(ini, defaultIni, "", "contrast_detection_threshold", 0.3);
     
-    mustMatchPattern = getBoolean(ini, "", "must_match_pattern", false);
+    mustMatchPattern = getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "must_match_pattern", false);
     
-    skipDetection = getBoolean(ini, "", "skip_detection", false);
+    skipDetection = getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "skip_detection", false);
     
-    detection_mask_image = getString(ini, "", "detection_mask_image", "");
+    detection_mask_image = getString(ini, defaultIni, "", "detection_mask_image", "");
     
-    analysis_count = getInt(ini, "", "analysis_count", 1);
+    analysis_count = getInt(ini, defaultIni, "", "analysis_count", 1);
     
-    prewarp = getString(ini, "", "prewarp", "");
+    prewarp = getString(ini, defaultIni, "", "prewarp", "");
             
-    maxPlateAngleDegrees = getInt(ini, "", "max_plate_angle_degrees", 15);
+    maxPlateAngleDegrees = getInt(ini, defaultIni, "", "max_plate_angle_degrees", 15);
 
 
-    ocrImagePercent = getFloat(ini, "", "ocr_img_size_percent", 100);
-    stateIdImagePercent = getFloat(ini, "", "state_id_img_size_percent", 100);
+    ocrImagePercent = getFloat(ini, defaultIni, "", "ocr_img_size_percent", 100);
+    stateIdImagePercent = getFloat(ini, defaultIni, "", "state_id_img_size_percent", 100);
 
-    ocrMinFontSize = getInt(ini, "", "ocr_min_font_point", 100);
+    ocrMinFontSize = getInt(ini, defaultIni, "", "ocr_min_font_point", 100);
 
-    postProcessMinConfidence = getFloat(ini, "", "postprocess_min_confidence", 100);
-    postProcessConfidenceSkipLevel = getFloat(ini, "", "postprocess_confidence_skip_level", 100);
+    postProcessMinConfidence = getFloat(ini, defaultIni, "", "postprocess_min_confidence", 100);
+    postProcessConfidenceSkipLevel = getFloat(ini, defaultIni, "", "postprocess_confidence_skip_level", 100);
 
-    debugGeneral = 	getBoolean(ini, "", "debug_general",		false);
-    debugTiming = 	getBoolean(ini, "", "debug_timing",		false);
-    debugPrewarp = 	getBoolean(ini, "", "debug_prewarp",		false);
-    debugDetector = 	getBoolean(ini, "", "debug_detector",		false);
-    debugStateId = 	getBoolean(ini, "", "debug_state_id",		false);
-    debugPlateLines = 	getBoolean(ini, "", "debug_plate_lines", 	false);
-    debugPlateCorners = 	getBoolean(ini, "", "debug_plate_corners", 	false);
-    debugCharSegmenter = 	getBoolean(ini, "", "debug_char_segment", 	false);
-    debugCharAnalysis =	getBoolean(ini, "", "debug_char_analysis",	false);
-    debugColorFiler = 	getBoolean(ini, "", "debug_color_filter", 	false);
-    debugOcr = 		getBoolean(ini, "", "debug_ocr", 		false);
-    debugPostProcess = 	getBoolean(ini, "", "debug_postprocess", 	false);
-    debugShowImages = 	getBoolean(ini, "", "debug_show_images",	false);
-    debugPauseOnFrame = 	getBoolean(ini, "", "debug_pause_on_frame",	false);
+    debugGeneral = 	getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "debug_general",		false);
+    debugTiming = 	getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "debug_timing",		false);
+    debugPrewarp = 	getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "debug_prewarp",		false);
+    debugDetector = 	getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "debug_detector",		false);
+    debugStateId = 	getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "debug_state_id",		false);
+    debugPlateLines = 	getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "debug_plate_lines", 	false);
+    debugPlateCorners = 	getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "debug_plate_corners", 	false);
+    debugCharSegmenter = 	getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "debug_char_segment", 	false);
+    debugCharAnalysis =	getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "debug_char_analysis",	false);
+    debugColorFiler = 	getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "debug_color_filter", 	false);
+    debugOcr = 		getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "debug_ocr", 		false);
+    debugPostProcess = 	getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "debug_postprocess", 	false);
+    debugShowImages = 	getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "debug_show_images",	false);
+    debugPauseOnFrame = 	getBoolean(ini, defaultIni, "", "debug_pause_on_frame",	false);
 
   }
   
@@ -396,69 +404,6 @@ namespace alpr
     return true;
   }
 
-  float getFloat(CSimpleIniA* ini, string section, string key, float defaultValue)
-  {
-    const char * pszValue = ini->GetValue(section.c_str(), key.c_str(), NULL /*default*/);
-    if (pszValue == NULL)
-    {
-      return defaultValue;
-    }
-
-    float val = atof(pszValue);
-    return val;
-  }
-  
-  std::vector<float> getAllFloats(CSimpleIniA* ini, string section, string key)
-  {
-    CSimpleIniA::TNamesDepend values;
-    
-    ini->GetAllValues(section.c_str(), key.c_str(), values);
- 
-    // sort the values into the original load order
-    values.sort(CSimpleIniA::Entry::LoadOrder());
-
-    std::vector<float> response;
-    
-  // output all of the items
-    CSimpleIniA::TNamesDepend::const_iterator i;
-    for (i = values.begin(); i != values.end(); ++i) { 
-      response.push_back(atof(i->pItem));
-    }
-    
-    return response;
-  }
-  
-  int getInt(CSimpleIniA* ini, string section, string key, int defaultValue)
-  {
-    const char * pszValue = ini->GetValue(section.c_str(), key.c_str(), NULL /*default*/);
-    if (pszValue == NULL)
-    {
-      return defaultValue;
-    }
-
-    int val = atoi(pszValue);
-    return val;
-  }
-  bool getBoolean(CSimpleIniA* ini, string section, string key, bool defaultValue)
-  {
-    const char * pszValue = ini->GetValue(section.c_str(), key.c_str(), NULL /*default*/);
-    if (pszValue == NULL)
-    {
-      return defaultValue;
-    }
-
-    int val = atoi(pszValue);
-    return val != 0;
-  }
-  string getString(CSimpleIniA* ini, string section, string key, string defaultValue)
-  {
-    const char * pszValue = ini->GetValue(section.c_str(), key.c_str(), NULL /*default*/);
-    if (pszValue == NULL)
-    {
-      return defaultValue;
-    }
-
-    string val = string(pszValue);
-    return val;
-  }
 }
+
+
diff --git a/src/openalpr/config_helper.cpp b/src/openalpr/config_helper.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5310d75
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/openalpr/config_helper.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,160 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2015 OpenALPR Technology, Inc.
+ * Open source Automated License Plate Recognition [http://www.openalpr.com]
+ * 
+ * This file is part of OpenALPR.
+ * 
+ * OpenALPR is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License 
+ * version 3 as published by the Free Software Foundation 
+ * 
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ * 
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+#include "config_helper.h"
+
+#include <iostream>
+
+using namespace std;
+
+namespace alpr
+{
+  
+  float getFloat(CSimpleIniA* ini, string section, string key, float defaultValue)
+  {
+    if (ini == NULL)
+      return defaultValue;
+    
+    const char * pszValue = ini->GetValue(section.c_str(), key.c_str(), NULL /*default*/);
+    if (pszValue == NULL)
+    {
+      return defaultValue;
+    }
+
+    float val = atof(pszValue);
+    return val;
+  }
+  
+  std::vector<float> getAllFloats(CSimpleIniA* ini, string section, string key)
+  {
+    CSimpleIniA::TNamesDepend values;
+    
+    ini->GetAllValues(section.c_str(), key.c_str(), values);
+ 
+    // sort the values into the original load order
+    values.sort(CSimpleIniA::Entry::LoadOrder());
+
+    std::vector<float> response;
+    
+  // output all of the items
+    CSimpleIniA::TNamesDepend::const_iterator i;
+    for (i = values.begin(); i != values.end(); ++i) { 
+      response.push_back(atof(i->pItem));
+    }
+    
+    return response;
+  }
+  
+  int getInt(CSimpleIniA* ini, string section, string key, int defaultValue)
+  {
+    if (ini == NULL)
+      return defaultValue;
+    
+    const char * pszValue = ini->GetValue(section.c_str(), key.c_str(), NULL /*default*/);
+    if (pszValue == NULL)
+    {
+      return defaultValue;
+    }
+
+    int val = atoi(pszValue);
+    return val;
+  }
+  bool getBoolean(CSimpleIniA* ini, string section, string key, bool defaultValue)
+  {
+    if (ini == NULL)
+      return defaultValue;
+    
+    const char * pszValue = ini->GetValue(section.c_str(), key.c_str(), NULL /*default*/);
+    if (pszValue == NULL)
+    {
+      return defaultValue;
+    }
+
+    int val = atoi(pszValue);
+    return val != 0;
+  }
+  string getString(CSimpleIniA* ini, string section, string key, string defaultValue)
+  {
+    if (ini == NULL)
+      return defaultValue;
+    
+    const char * pszValue = ini->GetValue(section.c_str(), key.c_str(), NULL /*default*/);
+    if (pszValue == NULL)
+    {
+      return defaultValue;
+    }
+
+    string val = string(pszValue);
+    return val;
+  }
+  
+  bool hasValue(CSimpleIniA* ini, std::string section, std::string key)
+  {
+    const char * pszValue = ini->GetValue(section.c_str(), key.c_str(), NULL /*default*/);
+    
+    return pszValue != NULL;
+  }
+
+  int getInt(CSimpleIniA* ini, CSimpleIniA* defaultIni, std::string section, std::string key, int defaultValue)
+  {
+    if (hasValue(ini, section, key))
+      return getInt(ini, section, key, defaultValue);
+    
+    if (defaultIni != NULL && hasValue(defaultIni, section, key))
+      return getInt(defaultIni, section, key, defaultValue);
+    
+    std::cerr << "Missing config value for " << key << std::endl;
+    
+    return defaultValue;
+  }
+  float getFloat(CSimpleIniA* ini, CSimpleIniA* defaultIni, std::string section, std::string key, float defaultValue)
+  {
+    if (hasValue(ini, section, key))
+      return getFloat(ini, section, key, defaultValue);
+    
+    if (defaultIni != NULL && hasValue(defaultIni, section, key))
+      return getFloat(defaultIni, section, key, defaultValue);
+    
+    std::cerr << "Missing config value for " << key << std::endl;
+    
+    return defaultValue;
+  }
+  std::string getString(CSimpleIniA* ini, CSimpleIniA* defaultIni, std::string section, std::string key, std::string defaultValue)
+  {
+     if (hasValue(ini, section, key))
+      return getString(ini, section, key, defaultValue);
+    
+    if (defaultIni != NULL && hasValue(defaultIni, section, key))
+      return getString(defaultIni, section, key, defaultValue);
+    
+    std::cerr << "Missing config value for " << key << std::endl;
+    return defaultValue;
+  }
+  bool getBoolean(CSimpleIniA* ini, CSimpleIniA* defaultIni, std::string section, std::string key, bool defaultValue)
+  {
+     if (hasValue(ini, section, key))
+      return getBoolean(ini, section, key, defaultValue);
+    
+    if (defaultIni != NULL && hasValue(defaultIni, section, key))
+      return getBoolean(defaultIni, section, key, defaultValue);
+    
+    std::cerr << "Missing config value for " << key << std::endl;
+    return defaultValue;
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/openalpr/config_helper.h b/src/openalpr/config_helper.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c8d9366
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/openalpr/config_helper.h
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2015 OpenALPR Technology, Inc.
+ * Open source Automated License Plate Recognition [http://www.openalpr.com]
+ * 
+ * This file is part of OpenALPR.
+ * 
+ * OpenALPR is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License 
+ * version 3 as published by the Free Software Foundation 
+ * 
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ * 
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+#ifndef OPENALPR_CONFIG_HELPER_H
+#define	OPENALPR_CONFIG_HELPER_H
+
+#include "simpleini/simpleini.h"
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+namespace alpr
+{
+  
+  bool hasValue(CSimpleIniA* ini, std::string section, std::string key);
+
+  int getInt(CSimpleIniA* ini, std::string section, std::string key, int defaultValue);
+  float getFloat(CSimpleIniA* ini, std::string section, std::string key, float defaultValue);
+  std::string getString(CSimpleIniA* ini, std::string section, std::string key, std::string defaultValue);
+  bool getBoolean(CSimpleIniA* ini, std::string section, std::string key, bool defaultValue);
+  std::vector<float> getAllFloats(CSimpleIniA* ini, std::string section, std::string key);
+
+  // Checks the ini objects in the order they are placed in the vector
+  // e.g., second ini object overrides the first if they both have the value
+  int getInt(CSimpleIniA* ini, CSimpleIniA* defaultIni, std::string section, std::string key, int defaultValue);
+  float getFloat(CSimpleIniA* ini, CSimpleIniA* defaultIni, std::string section, std::string key, float defaultValue);
+  std::string getString(CSimpleIniA* ini, CSimpleIniA* defaultIni, std::string section, std::string key, std::string defaultValue);
+  bool getBoolean(CSimpleIniA* ini, CSimpleIniA* defaultIni, std::string section, std::string key, bool defaultValue);
+  
+}
+
+#endif	/* CONFIG_HELPER_H */
+
diff --git a/src/openalpr/constants.h b/src/openalpr/constants.h
index e216761..8830d77 100644
--- a/src/openalpr/constants.h
+++ b/src/openalpr/constants.h
@@ -27,6 +27,11 @@
 #define CASCADE_DIR		"/region/"
 #define POSTPROCESS_DIR		"/postprocess"
 
+#define DEFAULT_SHARE_DIR   INSTALL_PREFIX "/share/openalpr"
+
+#define DEFAULT_RUNTIME_DATA_DIR 	    DEFAULT_SHARE_DIR "/runtime_data"
+#define CONFIG_FILE_TEMPLATE_LOCATION 	DEFAULT_SHARE_DIR "/config/openalpr.defaults.conf"
+
 #ifndef DEFAULT_CONFIG_FILE
   #define DEFAULT_CONFIG_FILE 	"/etc/openalpr/openalpr.conf"
 #endif