It’s your responsibility to keep your alarm system working properly. Repeated false alarms may lead to fines. Below are Jurisdictions that DO and DO NOT require permits. Any questions please reach out to Central Security. 512-956-5536
Alarm systems can require Permit & Fee with proper local authority. Alarm Permits are required by city & county police departments. All home and business locations are claimed city or deemed county. Just because you live in Austin does not mean that the Austin police department responds. Every address has three responding authorities to consider; Police, Fire & Medical.
Cedar Park & Round Rock police departments do not require alarm permits. In the event you are unsure make contact with Avenger Security or with your local police department to verify for each emergency service. All locations have only one responding authority. You must pay the alarm permit only if the responding authority requires it.
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After the purchase of the security burglar alarm monitoring service, please make notice to the local municipality for proper registration if such registration is required by the municipality. If the responding authority requires a permit for security monitoring service, notice will be given.
The information you obtain at this website is not, nor is it intended to be advice. You should always consult with Central Security on site for advice regarding your individual situation. Central Security invites you to make contact and welcomes your call, letters, and electronic mail. Contacting Central Security does not create a relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time relationship has been established.
TITLE 4. BUSINESS REGULATION AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
CHAPTER 4-2. ALARM SYSTEMS.
§ 4-2-32 4-2-32 Penalties
Alarm Notification refers to a message intended to summon the police, excluding prohibited recorded messages. It may be triggered either intentionally by a person or automatically by an alarm system responding to signs of unauthorized intrusion.
Alarm Site is the specific property protected by an alarm system, controlled by a single owner, tenant, or lessor.
Alarm System includes electrical, mechanical, or electronic equipment that sends a signal to summon the police, directly or indirectly. This does not include:
Vehicle alarm systems unless the vehicle remains permanently on-site.
Alarms that only notify the residents without a local alarm.
Systems on federal or state government property.
Fire or smoke detection-only systems.
Devices not solely designed to produce an alarm notification.
Alarm System Business describes a person or entity involved in selling, installing, servicing, monitoring, or responding to alarm systems or alarm notifications.
Burglar Alarm is a device or system designed to summon police in response to a burglary incident.
False Alarm Notification is when an alarm triggers a police response, but upon arrival or investigation, there’s no sign of unauthorized entry or criminal activity.
Local Alarm is an alarm that activates a visible or audible signal at the alarm site, noticeable from outside the structure.
Master Alarm Permit is a permit issued to the property manager or owner of an apartment complex where individual units have operating alarm systems.
Personal Emergency Response System (Panic Button) Alarm is a system installed in a person’s home and monitored by an alarm company. It allows the person to signal a medical or personal emergency but is not connected to burglary or fire alarm systems.
(1) adopt policies and procedures to implement this chapter;
(2) publish standards of operation for an alarm system; and
(3) provide a copy of the standards to each permit holder.
Source: 1992 Code Section 8-6-5; Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.
§ 4-2-3 POLICE RESPONSE.
The Police Department shall respond to the activation of a permitted alarm system as prescribed by the policies and procedures adopted by the police chief, including the response priorities established by the police chief.
Source: 1992 Code Section 8-6-6(A); Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.
§ 4-2-4 SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY.
(A) A permit issued under this chapter does not create:
(1) a contract, either express or implied; or
(2) a duty or guarantee of response by the Police Department.
(B) The City retains immunity from liability and suit based on a decision by the Police Department not to respond to an activation of a permitted alarm system.
Source: 1992 Code Section 8-6-6(B); Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.
(1) shall maintain a premise containing an alarm system to ensure the proper operation of the alarm system;
(2) shall maintain the alarm system to minimize false alarm notifications;
(3) within one hour of notification by the city that an alarm system requires repair or inactivation, shall:
(a) respond or cause an alarm system business representative to respond to repair or inactivate the malfunctioning alarm system;
(b) provide access to the premise; or
(c) provide security for the premise; and
(4) may not manually activate an alarm system except to report the occurrence of an event that the alarm system was designed to report.
(B) A permittee with a local alarm shall adjust the mechanism to prevent an alarm signal from sounding for longer than 15 minutes after activation.
(C) A permittee shall notify the Police Department if the permittee relinquishes control of the alarm site and cancels the permit. If a permittee fails to notify the Police Department under this section, the permittee shall pay fees associated with the permit, if any.
Source: 1992 Code Sections 8-6-2 and 8-6-20(D); Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.
§ 4-2-21 FALSE ALARM NOTIFICATION.
(A) If an alarm system transmits more than three false burglar alarm notifications within a 12-month period, the permittee shall pay a service fee for the fourth and each subsequent false burglar alarm notification.
(1) The service fee for more than three but fewer than six false burglar alarms within the preceding 12-month period is $50.
(2) The service fee for more than five but fewer than eight false burglar alarms within the preceding 12-month period is $75.
(3) The service fee for eight or more false burglar alarms within the preceding 12-month period is $100.
(B) If an alarm system transmits more than two false personal emergency response system (panic button) alarm notifications within a 12-month period, the permittee shall pay a service fee of $100 for the third and each subsequent false personal emergency response system (panic button) alarm notification.
(C) A tenant holding an individual alarm permit shall pay a false alarm notification fee related to a transmission from the alarm system in the tenant’s unit.
(D) The permittee holding the master alarm permit holder shall pay a false alarm notification fee related to a transmission from an unoccupied unit or a unit for which a tenant has not obtained an individual alarm permit.
(E) The police chief may investigate and waive payment of a service fee assessed under this section.
Source: 1992 Code Sections 8-6-7 and 8-6-21(C); Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 20070111-012.
§ 4-2-31 OFFENSES.
A person commits an offense if the person operates, cause to be operated, or allows the operation of an alarm system:
(1) without a permit issued under this chapter;
(2) in violation of this chapter; or
(3) that automatically dials the 911 Emergency Communications System.
Source: 1992 Code Section 8-6-3; Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.
§ 4-2-32 PENALTIES.
(A) A person who fails to comply with this chapter commits a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than:
(1) $75 for the first conviction; or
(2) $100 for the second and any subsequent convictions.
(B) Each day or portion of a day during which a violation occurs or continues constitutes a separate offense.
(C) In addition to a criminal penalty under this chapter, a person who operates, causes to be operated, or allows to be operated an alarm system without a valid permit shall be charged a fee for each Police Department response to the activation of an un-permitted alarm system.
(D) In this chapter, a guilty plea, deferred disposition, deferred adjudication, or probation by a court of competent jurisdiction constitutes a conviction.
(E) A person who makes a false statement on an application commits a violation of Section 37.10 (Tampering with Governmental Record) of the Texas Penal Code.
Source: 1992 Code Sections 8-6-22(B) and 8-6-99; Ord. 031023-12; Ord. 031211-11.
Disclaimer:
This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality. American Legal Publishing Corporation provides these documents for informational purposes only. These documents should not be relied upon as the definitive authority for local legislation. Additionally, the formatting and pagination of the posted documents vary from the formatting and pagination of the official copy. The official printed copy of a Code of Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken.
For further information regarding the official version of any of this Code of Ordinances or other documents posted on this site, please contact the Municipality directly or contact American Legal Publishing
Type of Call Number allowed 3 burglary dispatch at no charge in consecutive 12 month period. Fees for over 3 Burglary dispatch, 4-5 $50 Each 6-7 $75 Each 8 or more $100 Each Late Payment Fee $5 Per Month
City of Austin Penalties for Operating an Alarm System Without a Permit $200 for each response to a non-permitted location. Operator is subject to Class C misdemeanor charges.
Complete the Alarm Permit Application and mail it to the address below. If you have any questions or need more information, call the Alarm Unit at 974-5730.
After downloading and printing the application, complete the application and return it with your payment to: (Make check or money order payable to APD Alarm Unit
Austin Police Department
Alarm Unit
P.O. Box 684279
Austin, Texas 78768-4279
Transition Plan for Citizens in Newly Annexed Areas
Annexed citizens will be responsible for complying with all aspects of the City of Austin ALARM SYSTEMS Ordinance. New citizens annexed into the city who operate an alarm system in their business or residence and have current permits from Travis or Williamson counties will be honored by the City of Austin as follows: If the permit has an unexpired term, the permit holder may submit the current valid permit from Travis or Williamson counties along with a City of Austin alarm permit application. APD will issue a City of Austin permit for the remainder of the calendar year. There will be no City of Austin Alarm Permit Fee ($30 for residential or $50 for business) assessed during the unexpired term. Annexed citizens that operate an alarm system, but do not have a Travis or Williamson county permit should complete an application and submit the appropriate fee. All criminal and civil penalties will apply until such time as a valid City of Austin alarm permit are issued.
Annexed citizens will be responsible for complying with all aspects of the City of Austin ALARM SYSTEMS Ordinance. New citizens annexed into the city who operate an alarm system in their business or residence and have current permits from Travis or Williamson counties will be honored by the City of Austin as follows: If the permit has an unexpired term, the permit holder may submit the current valid permit from Travis or Williamson counties along with a City of Austin alarm permit application. APD will issue a City of Austin permit for the remainder of the calendar year. There will be no City of Austin Alarm Permit Fee ($30 for residential or $50 for business) assessed during the unexpired term. Annexed citizens that operate an alarm system, but do not have a Travis or Williamson county permit should complete an application and submit the appropriate fee. All criminal and civil penalties will apply until such time as a valid City of Austin alarm permit are issued.
An alarm permit can be canceled when the system no longer meets the criteria for a permitted alarm system per the ordinance or the permit holder moves from the address. All outstanding charges must be paid before a permit is canceled. Written notification is required for cancellation. A cancellation form can be mailed to the address referenced above or faxed to:(512)974-6697.
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