Do I Need a Permit for an Alarm System?

access control panel gate, fine sign permit

Do I Need a Permit for an Alarm System?

Congratulations on your decision to install an alarm system! It’s the single most effective way to protect against burglary, while also lowering the cost of your homeowner’s insurance premium. Studies have shown that homes with alarm systems are three times less likely to be burglarized when compared to homes without alarm systems.

But unless you want to get slapped with a fine, you need to familiarize yourself with the local laws regarding alarm system permits.

What Is an Alarm Permit?

An alarm system permit is exactly what it sounds like: a legal document that grants a homeowner or business owner permission to activate and use an alarm system on their property. Purchasing or even installing an alarm system isn’t prohibited, but if you intend to active it (which most people do), you’ll need a permit. Such permits are typically granted on a local level, meaning there’s no federal or state laws governing the use of alarm permits. Instead, it’s the county or city that’s responsible for enforcing these laws.

The idea of having to obtain a permit just to use an alarm system may sound like a nuisance. However, there’s a good reason why many cities and counties require them. If you’ve signed up for monitoring, each time an alarm is triggered and you don’t respond, the local police must send a unit to investigate. Assuming it was a false alarm, this consumes their time, money, and resources, all of which could be better spent elsewhere. By requiring residents to purchase permits, it helps to offset the otherwise burdensome cost of these false alarms.

What Happens if I Don’t Have a Permit?

You might be wondering what happens to residents who fail to acquire the necessary permits for their alarm system. It’s unlikely that offenders will be cuffed and hauled off to jail, but they will be fined. In Harris County, for instance, the fine is $75.00 for each false alarm, with the possibility of an additional citation being issued by the Justice of Peace Court. If your alarm goes off just three times, that’s $225.00 at minimum.

“OPERATING AN ALARM SYSTEM WITHOUT A PERMIT: ANY PERSON OR ENTITY OPERATING AN ALARM SYSTEM WITHOUT A PERMIT IS SUBJECT TO A FEE OF $75.00 FOR EACH FALSE ALARM. In addition to the fee, a citation may be issued and a fine imposed by the Justice of the Peace Court for operating an alarm system without a permit,” wrote the Harris County Treasurer in the alarm system permit application.

Staying Compliant With Your Permits

Unless you want to run the risk of getting slapped with a fine, you should check to make sure you have the appropriate permits to use an alarm system in your respective city or county. Most permits are good for 12 months from the date of issuance, at which point they must be renewed.