• $50.00 for a Residential Burglar Alarm

• $132.44 for a burglar alarm permit ($165.54 with Admin. Fee)
• $132.44 for a holdup or panic alarm permit ($165.54 with Admin. Fee)
• $264.88 for a burglar alarm permit and a holdup or panic alarm permit. ($331.08 with Admin. Fee)

Administrative Fee:

An administrative fee of $33.10 shall be collected from the applicant at the time of application for any license, permit, or service for which the fee is greater than $50.00. The administrative fee shall be in addition to the fee for the license, permit or service and shall be collected prior to the granting of the renewals regardless of whether an application is filed.

Permit Period: 12 months

1 The free alarms ordinance within the 12 month permit period allows a permit holder of a residential site,

• Three (3) free false alarms for the burglar alarm system system
• One (1) free false alarm for the panic or holdup alarm system

2 The permit holder of a non-residential site is allowed,

• One (1) free false alarm for the panic or holdup alarm system within the 12 month period
• Three (3) free false alarms for the burglar alarm system within the 12 month period

a) The chief, or designated representative, shall assess the permit holder fee for each false burglar alarm (provided a response is made by the police department to the alarm site within 65 minutes of the alarm notification) from the alarm site.

The fees are

• 4th false alarm $50.00
• 5th false alarm $50.00
• 6th false alarm $75.00
• 7th false alarm $75.00
• 8th false alarm $100.00
• Each additional  $100.00

b) The chief, or designated representative, shall assess the residential alarm site permit holder fee for each false panic or holdup alarm notification from the alarm site.

The fees are

• 2nd false alarm $140.09
• 3rd false alarm  $280.20
• 4th false alarm  $420.29
• 5th false alarm  $560.39
• Each additional  $560.39

c) The chief, or designated representative, shall assess the non-residential alarm site permit holder fee for each false panic or holdup alarm notification from the alarm site.

The fees are

• 2nd false alarm $280.20
• 3rd false alarm $560.39
• 4th false alarm $700.50
• Each additional  $700.50

d) If HEC or the police department receives an alarm notification, (regardless of whether the alarm is false), from an alarm system that does not have a valid alarm permit, the alarm subscriber and the persons-in-control of any portion of the alarm site shall be charged a penalty for each such alarm notification and shall be jointly and severally liable to the city for payment thereof.

The penalty amount will be determined based on the type of alarm notification received:

• Residential burglar alarm system: $116.75 for each alarm notification.
• Non-residential burglar alarm system: $233.50 for each alarm notification.
• Residential panic or holdup alarm system: $308.21 for each alarm notification.
• Non-residential panic or holdup alarm system: $490.34 for each alarm notification.

Collection Fee

A collection fee of 30 percent of the false alarm penalty amount shall be added to each false alarm penalty assessed under this section if the false alarm penalty remains unpaid on the 61st day after it is due.

Revocation due to Excessive False Alarm

1. Excessive Burglar False Alarm:

1. If alarm disposition is False
   
   
2. If response time is 65 min or less
   
   
3. If count is more than 7 in case of Burglar False Alarms within preceding 12 months period
   
   

2. Excessive Robbery/Panic False Alarm:

1. If alarm disposition is False
   
   
2. If response time is 65 min or less
   
   
3. If count is more than 3 in case of Robbery/Panic False Alarms within preceding 1 month period or
   
   
4. If count is more than 4 in case of Robbery/Panic False Alarms within preceding 3 months period or
   
   
5. If count is more than 5 in case of Robbery/Panic False Alarms within preceding 6 months period or
   
   
6. If count is more than 6 in case of Robbery/Panic False Alarms within preceding 12 months period
   
   

Reinstatement Process for Revocation due to Excessive False Alarm

1. Administrative hearing is required.
   
   
2. Upon any Reinstatement decided by City Hearing Officer – for revocation due to excessive False Alarm:
   
   
   1. Permit will default count to 3 for burglar alarm and 1 for panic alarm as FAMS does not provide any free false alarm calls…
      
      

Revocation due to Unpaid Amounts

1. If the permit holder has failed to make payment in full to the city for any fees and penalties due under this article within 60 days after the date the director has mailed a notice, the permit will be revoked.
   
   

Reinstatement Process for Revocation due to Unpaid Amounts

1. For revocation due to unpaid amounts, there is no hearing required and upon payment of the total outstanding, which was not paid within 60 days, the permit will be automatically reinstated.

1. To be authorized by City of Houston Alarm Administration.

1. As per City Ordinance, If your alarm system has been configured to send a panic alarm notification, you are required to have this type of permit. Please be aware and ensure, the proper permit is obtained to avoid this violation and any penalties that may be associated with it.
   
2. Please provide your permit number to your alarm company.
   
3. Permit Accounts which have received a NOTICE OF NONCOMPLIANCE for reason of unpaid amounts will result in revocation of your alarm permit and may result in denial of any future alarm permit. Payment to satisfy the total outstanding amount must be made immediately
   

1. Ordinance
2. Permit Application Form
3. Citizen Site