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DFW alarm permits: fees, false-alarm fines and how to apply, city by city
What 15 Dallas–Fort Worth cities charge for an alarm permit, what Texas law caps, and how to keep false-alarm fines off your bill. Checked against official city sources on November 2, 2026.
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THE SHORT VERSION
Texas rules that apply in every city
- Permit fees are capped. A city can charge at most $50 a year for a home and $250 a year for any other location, and a permit must last at least a year (Local Government Code 214.203, 214.204).
- Three false alarms are free. A city can fine you only after at least three other false alarms at the address in 12 months, and the fine is capped at $50, then $75, then $100 (214.207).
- Video can cancel the fine. No fine is allowed when your monitoring company gives the city reasonable visual proof of possible criminal activity before officers inspect (214.207(b)).
- A false alarm needs an inspection. It only counts after the city responds and inspects the property (214.206).
- No permit costs more. A city can charge up to $250 per false alarm at an address without a permit (214.207(c)), and some cities will not send officers at all.
- Expect two calls first. A city can require your monitoring center to try to reach you twice before it asks for police (214.208). Keep your call list current.
- Paid-up homes keep response. A city cannot stop responding to a permitted home over false alarms when the fees are paid, but it can revoke a permit after eight or more false alarms in 12 months (214.205).
Source: Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 214, Subchapter F.
CITY BY CITY
Permit fees and false-alarm rules in 15 DFW cities
Burglar-alarm rules shown. Panic, hold-up, fire and medical alarms often have their own fees. Where we could not confirm a figure from an official city source, the table says so; call the city before you rely on it.
| City | Home permit, per year | Business permit, per year | Burglar false alarms in 12 months | Without a permit | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen | $50 | $50 on the city fee schedule (a police notice says $100; confirm) | 3 free, then $50, $75, $100 | An offense; fine up to $2,000 | Apply online |
| Arlington | $50 (free at 65+ and for 100% disabled veterans, primary home) | $50 | 3 free, then $50, $75, $100 | Police generally do not respond to burglar alarms; citation up to $500 | Apply online |
| Carrollton | $50 first year, $25 renewal | $75 first year, $50 renewal | 3 free, then $50, $75, $100; permit revoked at 8 | No police response, except fire, medical and alarms set off by a person | Apply online |
| Celina | $35 | $100 | 3 free, then $50, $75, $100 | Response may stop after certified-mail notice; $40 per false alarm | Apply online |
| Dallas | $50 | $100 | 3 free, then $50 (4th to 6th), $75 (7th to 8th), $100 (9th and up) | No police response to burglar alarms; fine up to $500 a day | Apply online |
| Denton | $50 | Confirm with the city | Confirm with the city | Permit required for all alarm systems | Apply in person at Denton PD |
| Fort Worth | $50 (low-income single-family homes may qualify for $0) | $100 | 3 free, then $50 to $100 | No response except panic and hold-up alarms; fine up to $500 a day | Apply online |
| Frisco | $35 | $100 | 3 free, then $50, $75, $100 | Response may end after certified-mail notice; penalty up to $250 | Apply online |
| Garland | $50 ($25 at 65+) | $100 | 3 free, then $50, $75, $100 | Police still respond, but each false alarm adds $250 | Apply online |
| Irving | $50 ($10 at 65+) | $50 | 3 free, then $50, $75, $100 | A valid permit is required for police response | City alarm page |
| Lewisville | $50 | $50 (no separate business fee listed) | Confirm with the city | Permit required for burglar, fire, hold-up and panic alarms | City alarm page |
| McKinney | $50 | $100 | See city code Sec. 10-24 (state caps apply) | An offense; fine up to $500 a day | City alarm page |
| Plano | $50 | $100 | 3 free, then $50, $75, $100 | $200 penalty | Apply online |
| Prosper | $50 | $100 | 3 free, then $50, $75, $100; permit revoked at 6 | No response at unpermitted sites; up to $500 | Apply online |
| Richardson | Confirm with the city | Confirm with the city | Confirm with the city (the latest published schedule is from 2009) | Confirm with the city | City permit portal |
Checked November 2, 2026 against each city’s website, code of ordinances or official permit portal. Cities change fees, usually at the start of their fiscal year in October. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
WHO DOES WHAT
Your part, our part
- You apply for the permit in your name, pay the city fee and renew it each year.
- Powerhouse Guardians gives you the system details the form asks for, walks you through how to avoid false alarms at installation, and notifies the city of a new alarm within 30 days, as Texas law requires of every alarm company (Occupations Code 1702.286).
- The monitoring center calls you and your contacts before it asks for police, where your city requires it.
AVOID THE FINES
Seven habits that keep false alarms off your bill
- Give everyone their own code. Show family members, staff and cleaners how to disarm before they need to.
- Cancel from your phone. If you set the alarm off by mistake, cancel it in the Alarm.com app right away.
- Keep your call list current. The monitoring center calls these people before it asks for police.
- Plan around pets. Ask for pet-friendly motion sensors, or arm in Stay mode when pets roam.
- Warn us before work on doors or windows. Painters, window installers and remodelers trip sensors. We can put the system in test mode.
- Replace low batteries. The panel and the app tell you when a sensor battery runs low.
- Put video on the doors that matter. A clip from the alarm event helps confirm a real break-in and can keep a fine off your bill.
QUESTIONS
Alarm permits: common questions
Do I need an alarm permit in Dallas–Fort Worth?
Most DFW cities require one for any alarm that calls the police, and several will not send officers to a burglar alarm at an address without a valid permit. Check your city in the table above.
How much can a Texas city charge for an alarm permit?
State law caps the annual permit fee at $50 for a home and $250 for other locations, and a permit must be valid for at least one year (Texas Local Government Code 214.203 and 214.204).
How many false alarms are free?
Under state law a city can fine you only after at least three other false alarms at the same address in the past 12 months. The fines are capped at $50, $75 and $100 as the count rises (Local Government Code 214.207).
Can video stop a false-alarm fine?
Yes, in one case. A city may not fine you when your monitoring company gives it reasonable visual proof of possible criminal activity before officers inspect the property (Local Government Code 214.207(b)).
Who applies for the permit, me or my alarm company?
You do: the permit is in the name of the person responsible for the alarm. Your alarm company gives you the details the form asks for, and Texas law requires it to notify the city of a new alarm within 30 days of installation.
Related: home packages and pricing · business packages and pricing · does your alarm still use a landline?
Installing a new alarm?
We give you the permit details for your city, notify the city for you, and set the system up to keep false alarms down from day one. Prices are published.
Get a Home Security QuoteRequest a Business AssessmentSources: Texas Local Government Code Ch. 214, Subchapter F; Texas Occupations Code 1702.286; the city websites, codes and permit portals linked in the table. Features vary by product, service plan and site. Alarm.com is a trademark of Alarm.com Incorporated. Powerhouse Guardians Corp is an independent Alarm.com Authorized Service Provider · TX DPS #B30802201.