Burglar Alarm Permit, Residential | Houston Permitting Center (2024)

Burglar Alarm Administration

713.581.7410

[emailprotected]

About

Burglar alarm system means an alarm system designed to detect an attempted or actual unauthorized entry into the alarm site and transmit a signal to an alarm systems company for the purpose of generating an alarm notification requiring police response.

Residential alarm site location is not a business, commercial or non-residential alarm site. Permits a private dwelling where one lives.

After Approval

Permit must be kept at alarm site and produced for inspection upon the request of HPD or ARA Director.

Conditions & Exceptions

Relocation or Change in Ownership

Residential permit transfer requests require permit holder to fill out and submit the Request For Residential Alarm Permit Transfer Form. Residential changes in ownership require a permit holder cancellation and the new owner must apply for a new permit.

Revoked or Expired Permit

If an alarm permit has been revoked, itwill not be reinstated without an appeal hearing.

If an alarm permit expired with outstanding balance, itwill not be renewed until the outstanding balance is paid.

False Alarm Penalties

• Three(3) false burglar alarms are free for a residential burglar alarm permit holder per preceding 12-month period.
• The4th and 5th false alarms are $50.00 each and 6th and 7th alarms are $75.00 each.
• Thereafter each false alarm is $100.00. Permits are subject to revocation and no response after the 7th false alarm.
• One(1) false panic/holdup alarm is free for a residential burglar alarm permit holder per preceding 12-month period.
• The2nd false alarm is $140.09, 3rd false alarm is $280.20, and 4th false alarm is $420.29. The 5th false alarm and above are $560.39 (each).

Non-Permitted Alarm Fees

Non-permitted residentialburglar alarms are chargeable at $116.75 and panic alarms are chargeable at $308.21 per incident.

Statutory Authority

What You Need

Applicant must provide:

• Name, address, phone number, and alarm system of the alarm site location (permit info)
• Contactnames, phone numbers, and emails
• Alarm system company name, address, telephone, and business license number
• Billing name, address, phone number, and contact number
• Method of payment:cash (in person only), check, cashier's check, money order, or debit/credit card

Apply Online

1. Visit the Burglar Alarm website and click on New Permits OnlyPay Online
2. Complete the required fields as prompted.
3. Complete payment of permit fee with either an e-check or credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard and Discover)
4. Permit will be mailed or emailed to the address provided bythe permit holder.

Apply in Person

1. Download and print the alarm application.
2. Bring the completed application and a form of payment to the Houston Permitting Center.
3. Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk. Please wait in the 1st floor lobby until your number is called.

Apply by Mail

1. Download and print the alarm application
2. Mail the completed application and appropriate permit fee (check or money order only) to:
   City of Houston - Burglar Alarm Administration
   POBox 203887
   Houston, Texas 77216-3887
3. Permit will be mailed or emailed to the address provided bythe permit holder.

Conditions & Exceptions

Alarm site locations within the City of Houston city limits and areas receiving Houston Police response are required to have a valid alarm permit. Donot apply for a new permit if you:

• do not know if you are located in the city limits
• do not know if you receive Houston Police response
• have a valid permit for the intended alarm site,or
• have outstanding false alarm fees/penalties

Call the Burglar Alarm Administration at 713-581-7410 for assistance before proceeding.

Additional Resources

What You Need

• Renewal notice (sent 30days prior to the permit’s expiration date)
• Email address, if renewing online
• Method of payment:cash (in person only), check, cashier's check, money order, or debit/credit card

Renew Online

1. Visit the Burglar Alarm website and click on Pay Bill or Renew Permit Credit Card Payment
2. Complete the required fields as prompted.
3. Complete payment of permit fee with either an e-check or credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard and Discover)
4. Permit will be mailed or emailed to the address provided bythe permit holder.

Renew in Person

1. Bring the renewal notice and payment to the Houston Permitting Center.
2. Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk. Please wait in the 1st floor lobby until your number is called.

Renew by Mail

1. Mail theremittance slip and payment(check or money order only) to:
   City of Houston – Burglar Alarm Administration
   POBox 203887
   Houston, TX 77216-3886
2. Permit will be mailed or emailed to the address provided bythe permit holder.

Conditions & Exceptions

If applicant has an outstanding false alarm fee or penalty balance, a permit will not be issued, reinstated or renewed until the balance is paid in full.

Additional Resources

What You Need

• Renewal notice (sent 30days prior to the permit’s expiration date)
• Email address, if renewing online
• Method of payment:cash (in person only), check, cashier's check, money order, or debit/credit card

Renew Online

1. Visit the Burglar Alarm website and click on Pay Bill or Renew Permit Credit Card Payment
2. Complete the required fields as prompted.
3. Complete payment of permit fee with either an e-check or credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard and Discover)
4. Permit will be mailed or emailed to the address provided bythe permit holder.

Renew in Person

1. Bring the renewal notice and payment to the Houston Permitting Center.
2. Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk. Please wait in the 1st floor lobby until your number is called.

Renew by Mail

1. Mail theremittance slip and payment(check or money order only) to:
   City of Houston – Burglar Alarm Administration
   POBox 203887
   Houston, TX 77216-3886
2. Permit will be mailed or emailed to the address provided bythe permit holder.

Conditions & Exceptions

If applicant has an outstanding false alarm fee or penalty balance, a permit will not be issued, reinstated or renewed until the balance is paid in full.

Additional Resources