Panic Alarm Permit, Non-Residential

ARABA1004
Plan Review
Not Required
Inspection
Not Required
Renewal
Required
Fee
$128.66
Admin fee
$32.16
Renewal fee
$122.07
Valid Period
1 year
Processing Time
same day
APPLY QUESTIONS
Administration & Regulatory Affairs

Physical Address:

1002 Washington Ave., 1st floor
Houston, TX 77002

Mailing Address:

PO Box 203887
Houston, TX 77216-3887

281.779.4188
8 am to 5 pm

About

Panic alarm system means an alarm system that, when manually triggered by a person at the alarm site, generates an alarm signal indicating a life-threatening emergency requiring police response.

Non-residential means a commercial/business non-home alarm site location.

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

Non-residential relocations or changes in ownership require permit cancellation and the new owner must apply for a new permit.

 

Revoked or Expired Permit

If an alarm permit has been revoked, it will not be reinstated without an appeal hearing.

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

 

False Alarm Penalties

  • First (1st) false panic/holdup alarm is free for a non-residential panic/holdup permit holder per preceding 12-month period.
  • The 2nd false alarm is $280.20, 3rd false alarm is $560.39, and 4th false alarm and above are $700.50 each.

 

Non-Permitted Alarm Fee

Non-permitted panic alarms are chargeable at $490.34 per incident. 

Statutory Authority
What You Need

Applicant must provide:

  • Name, address, phone number and alarm system of the alarm site location (permit info)
  • Contact names, 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 Only Pay 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 email address provided by the permit holder.
Apply in Person
  1. Download and print the alarm application
  2. Bring the completed application and 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 payment (check or money order only) to:
    City of Houston - Burglar Alarm Administration
    PO Box 203887
    Houston, Texas 77216-3887
  3. Permit will be mailed or emailed to the address provided by the 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. Do not 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 30 days 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 by the 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 the remittance slip and payment (check or money order only) to:
    City of Houston – Burglar Alarm Administration
    PO Box 203887
    Houston, TX 77216-3889
  2. Permit will be mailed or emailed to the address provided by the 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 30 days 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 by the 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 the remittance slip and payment (check or money order only) to:
    City of Houston – Burglar Alarm Administration
    PO Box 203887
    Houston, TX 77216-3889
  2. Permit will be mailed or emailed to the address provided by the 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