How to Get a Home Alarm Permit for Houston

If you live in the City of Houston, Texas, and have a home security system that calls the police department when triggered, you need to get a City of Houston home alarm permit.

What is a home alarm permit?

Since many people have alarm systems in their homes, the number of false alarms ringing into 911 centers across the country continues to rise. A home alarm permit registers your security alarm with the city of Houston so they can track how many false alarms are reported for a single address every year.

Do I have to apply in person?

While it feels like one more bureaucratic hurdle in your way of enjoying the peace of mind a monitored home security system provides, getting your alarm permit is simple. You can download an application, fill it out, and even pay online. However, you will have to wait for the city of Houston permits to be mailed to you.

The Houston home alarm permit asks for:

• Personal information and address

• The type of alarm you installed

• What company monitors the system

• Who the police can call in case of a real emergency

If you want your permit in hand immediately, bring your completed application down to the Houston Permitting Center located at 1002 Washington Avenue in Houston. The fee structure is subject to change, so check the permit center’s website, or give them a call before you head downtown.

Does it matter which alarm system I have?

While every alarm must have a City of Houston permit, it does make a big difference which alarm system you install. Companies with solid reputations and high-quality equipment will be less likely to trigger false alarms. The city will begin to penalize you if you have too many false alarms. After the first three alarms, the city will send you a bill for each incident. After seven false alarms, the city of Houston can rescind your permit, which means the police don’t have to respond to your call for help.

Reputable alarm companies with a UL-listed monitoring center — like Brinks Home™ — place significantly fewer false alarms than less well-known firms. This means that not only do you receive superior equipment, excellent support during installation, and prompt response to tripped alarms, meaning your system is less likely to have its permit pulled.

What about my self-monitored system?

Even if you don’t pay for remote monitoring, you need to register your alarm. The regulations have stipulations regarding sirens, the length of time an alarm can sound without acknowledgment, and securing your property against pests that can accidentally trip an alarm.

In the end, you have to pay for a Houston alarm permit. You will avoid additional fees when your equipment is provided by a reliable home security firm and you have it further protected by a reliable monitoring and service center, like Brinks Home.