Alarm Permit Application at a glance
What it is: Alarm Permit Application, Development Services.
Who signs: Sign on Applicant Signature and enter the Date.
The ordinance applies to a person who operates, or causes to be operated, an alarm system at an alarm site.
City and county political subdivisions that operate alarm systems are required to obtain a permit, however, permit fees and service fees shall not be required.
No permit shall be required of state and federal governmental entities.
What to bring and attach to Alarm Permit Application
Applications must include payment.
A filled-in Alarm Permit Application example: a homeowner applies for a new alarm permit
How to fill out Alarm Permit Application, box by box
Application Type
Under Application Type, check the applicable box: New Alarm Permit, or Renew Existing Permit with the permit number written after Supply Permit #.
Alarm Location Information
Under Alarm Location Information, enter the Name (Business Name or Resident's Name), the Alarm Location Address, City/St and Zip.
Billing Information
Under Billing Information, enter the Full Name, Driver's License #, Billing Address, City/St, Zip, Email Address and Contact Phone #.
A contact name, address and telephone number is required for all permits.
All business accounts must have an individual person listed as contact.
The company detail is not applicable for the contact information.
Permit Type
Under Permit Type, check one selection: Commercial Business, Residence (Private), Government (City/County), Low Income Residence or Individual Apartment Unit.
The fee for permit renewal or permit reinstatement for residential permits is fifty dollars ($50.00), and commercial permits are one-hundred dollars ($100.00) yearly. (checked November 7, 2026)
Alarm Company Information
Under Alarm Company Information, enter the Alarm Company Name and check the Alarm Type: Burglary, Hold-up/Robbery/Panic/Hostage, or Other with the type written on the line.
Each permit application must show for each alarm system located at the alarm site the purpose of the alarm system, i.e., burglary, robbery, hostage, etc.
Payment Detail
Under Payment Detail, check Check or Money Order (Make payable to City of Fort Worth) or Credit Card; for a credit card, check the card type (Visa, Discover, Mastercard or American Express) and enter the Credit Card #, Expiration Date, Card holder's Name, Email Address and Card holder's Signature.
For security purposes please do not email your credit card information.
Applicant Signature
Sign on Applicant Signature and enter the Date.
More rules for Alarm Permit Application
A separate permit is required for each alarm system and each separate address and cannot be transferred to another person or to alarm system except by authorization of the Chief or authorized designee.
The Chief or authorized designee shall refuse police response to any alarm notification from an alarm site that does not have a valid alarm permit unless the alarm notification is a duress alarm, a hold-up alarm, a panic alarm or a report to 911 emergency telephone or to the police department by a person other than an alarm company.
Each permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall be valid for a twelve (12) month period from the date of issuance as indicated on the permit.
No refunds of a permit fee, permit renewal fee, or permit reinstatement fee will be made.
A permit will not be renewed if the applicant has past due outstanding service fees at the alarm site or at another alarm site for which he is the permit holder, unless the service fees are under review in an appeal.
Within thirty (30) days of receipt of a completed application form and the required fee, the Chief or authorized designee shall issue an alarm permit to an applicant unless the applicant has failed to pay a service fee or has had an alarm permit revoked, and the violation causing the revocation has not been corrected.
If your situation is different
The property is low-income
Low-Income: No alarm permit fee shall be required for a permit determined as a low-income property (one-family dwelling only). Applicant MUST supply proof of income.
An award letter from the Social Security Administration (Social Security (SS), Social Security Disability (SSDI), Social Security Disabled Child (SDC), Supplemental Security Income (SSI)); a retirement letter from Texas Railroads; for those who are employed, check stubs from the last 30 days; an Unemployment Insurance statement for those receiving unemployment benefits, showing weekly income; a Pension/Retirement benefits statement; or, if the resident receives no income, a signed Declaration of Income, which includes an explanation of why they are not receiving income.
Common questions about Alarm Permit Application
Is there a deadline?
It is the responsibility of the permit holder to submit an application and the required permit fee prior to the permit expiration date. A permit expires one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed annually by submitting an updated application and a permit renewal fee.
Where do I file it?
To obtain a permit, complete the permit application and return the application with a check or money order to the: City of Fort Worth Planning and Development Department, Alarm Unit 200 Texas Street Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Sources
[1] Alarm Permit Application (Rev. 10/18), City of Fort Worth Development Services (the Official source link on this page).
