Alarm Permits

Burglar Alarm Fact Sheet

  • Every residence and business with an alarm that is intended to summon police (regardless of whether the alarm is monitored) is required to have a permit.
  • The cost of the alarm permit is $50.00 per year.
  • It is a violation of Arlington City Ordinance to operate an alarm without a valid permit. Violations are punishable by a fine.
  • Police usually will respond to burglar alarms only at addresses with a valid alarm permit. If police respond and there is no valid alarm permit for that location, a citation will be issued.
  • Police will respond to all human-activated alarms, such as panic alarms and hold-up alarms. Locations without a valid permit will receive a citation.
  • It is the alarm holder's responsibility to contact the alarm company and provide them with the permit number.
  • Your alarm company must provide police 911 operators with your permit number.
  • Persons over 65 or 100% disabled veterans do not have to pay the permit fee ($50) if the permit address is their primary residence.
  • All permit holders are allowed three (3) free false alarms during a one-year period. The one-year period begins on the date of the first false alarm. The 4th and 5th false alarms are billed an administrative fee of $50 per call. The 6th and 7th false alarms are billed an administrative fee of $75 per call. The 8th and any additional false alarms are billed an administrative fee of $100 per call.
  • Permits expire after one year.
  • A renewal letter will be mailed approximately 4 weeks prior to the expiration date and must be returned along with the $50 permit fee (unless exempt for age 65+ or 100% disabled veterans) before the expiration date.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I obtain an alarm permit application form?

  • Online: click here to apply online for permit.
  • By Phone: Call the Arlington Police Department Alarm Office at 817-459-6472 to request an alarm permit application form be mailed to you.
  • By Email: Send an email to [email protected] to request an alarm permit application form.
  • By Mail: Download, print and sign the completed application form. Enclose your check or money order for $50. Persons over 65 or 100% disabled veterans do not have to pay the permit fee if the permit address is their primary residence. Mail to:Arlington Police Department
    Alarm Office
    PO Box 1065
    Arlington, TX 76004-1065
    Applications received by mail are processed daily and permits will be returned by mail the following business day. The permit is effective immediately upon being entered into the system.
  • In Person: Pick up an application at the Arlington Police Department, 620 W. Division Street (at the corner of Cooper and Division Streets), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Applications will be processed and alarm permits will be issued during business hours (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.). After hours, please leave your completed application and payment in the locked drop box. It will be processed the next business day and the alarm permit will be mailed to you.

Can I submit my alarm permit application via email or the internet?

Yes. You can apply and pay for your permit online at www.arlingtonpermits.com

What do I need to do if I already have a permit?

Contact your alarm company and provide them with your permit number.

I have a permit but I don't know the number. What do I need to do?

  1. You can obtain your permit number by:
    • Calling the Alarm Office at 817-459-6472, or
    • Emailing the Alarm Office at [email protected], or
    • Visiting the Alarm Office at the Police Department, 620 W. Division St. from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  2. Once you have your permit number, be sure to contact your alarm company and provide them with your permit number, expiration date, and your correct address.

What locations are required to have an alarm permit?

Any location with a working burglar alarm system that is intended to summon the police is required to obtain an alarm permit. This includes, but not limited to, houses, condos, apartments, businesses, stores, churches, warehouses, storage buildings, and offices.

When must I obtain the permit?

The permit is required before your alarm system becomes operational. There is no warning or grace period. Alarm permit applications are processed daily and permits will be sent by mail the following business day. The permit is effective immediately upon being entered into the system.

Am I required to get a permit if my alarm is not monitored by an alarm company?

Yes. Even if there is no valid permit for your address, the police will respond to certain types of alarms such as panic and hold-up alarms, or those called in by a neighbor or other third party. Operating an alarm system without a permit is a violation of city code and the user will receive a citation with a fine.

What if I have an alarm but do not have a permit?

Arlington police usually will only respond to alarm calls at addresses with a valid alarm permit. However, if police respond and there is no valid alarm permit for that location, a citation will be issued.

Is one alarm permit sufficient for an office building with several suites?

No. A separate permit is required for each alarm site and each alarm unit. Offices with one address that occupy more than one suite are required to have a permit for each suite.

I live in an apartment. Am I covered by the apartment complex's alarm permit?

No. Each apartment resident with an alarm is responsible for obtaining their own permit. The apartment management is responsible for all non-residential areas of the apartment complex, such as offices, storage facilities, clubhouses, weight rooms, etc.

Are alarm permits transferable?

No. Permits are not transferable to another address or another person/business. Fees are non-refundable.

What is considered a false alarm?

Per city ordinance: "An alarm notification to the City of Arlington when the responding officer finds no evidence of an attempted or actual unauthorized intrusion, burglary, robbery or hostage taking and the officer has responded to the site within thirty (30) minutes of the City of Arlington receiving the alarm notification."

What will happen if my permit expires?

The permit will be deleted after the expiration date and you will need to apply for a new permit. Until a new permit is issued, the police may not respond to all alarm calls at your address. However, they will respond to certain alarms, such as panic or hold-up alarms or those called in by a neighbor, and a citation will be issued resulting in a fine.

What will happen if my permit renewal is returned to the Police Department after the expiration date?

We will be unable to process your renewal if the information has already been deleted. The renewal letter will be returned back to you with a new application to be completed. In the meantime, police may not respond to alarms at your address. If police do respond and a valid permit is not in force at the time, a citation will be issued resulting in a fine. To ensure police will be dispatched to an alarm, please submit a new permit application. A new permit number will be issued. Please also provide the new permit number to your alarm monitoring company to avoid disruption.

How will I know when it's time to renew my alarm permit?

The expiration date is shown in your permit. Also, a renewal letter will be mailed approximately four weeks prior to your expiration date.