If you’re searching for an Arlington alarm permit, which city you live in decides the price and the rules: Arlington, Texas charges $50 a year through its Police Department’s Permit Portal, while Arlington County, Virginia charges $25 a year through its False Alarm Enforcement Office. Both require registration for any security alarm system that can summon police, and both fine you if you operate without one.
Arlington, Texas
Fee and Who’s Exempt
The annual permit costs $50, with no separate rate for commercial properties.1City of Arlington, TX. Register/Renew Alarm Permits Two groups don’t pay: residents age 65 or older and 100 percent disabled veterans, provided the permitted address is their primary residence. They still have to register; only the fee is waived.
Operating without a permit violates the city’s alarm systems ordinance. Fines run from $50 to $500 for failing to obtain a permit, failing to pay a service fee, or otherwise not complying with the ordinance.2City of Arlington, Texas. Alarm Systems Chapter Ordinances Governing Alarm Systems
How to Register
Arlington processes permits through an online Permit Portal run by the Police Department. Before you start, have your alarm company’s contact details and two emergency contacts ready — people with a key who can get to the property quickly to meet responding officers.1City of Arlington, TX. Register/Renew Alarm Permits
Applications are processed daily. The permit takes effect as soon as it’s entered into the system, and a physical copy is mailed the next business day. Once you have your number, give it to your alarm company. They need to pass it to 911 operators when your alarm trips; without it, dispatch may not send officers at all. Questions go to the Alarm Office at alarmoffice@arlingtontx.gov or 817-459-6472.
False Alarm Fees
Arlington gives you three free false alarms during a rolling twelve-month period that starts on the date of your first false alarm. After that, fees per dispatch climb:1City of Arlington, TX. Register/Renew Alarm Permits
- 1st–3rd false alarm: no charge
- 4th and 5th: $50 each
- 6th and 7th: $75 each
- 8th and beyond: $100 each
The twelve-month clock resets from the date of your first false alarm, not the calendar year, so the count doesn’t automatically clear on January 1.
Arlington County, Virginia
Fee and Requirements
Arlington County operates under Chapter 33 of the County Code, which requires every security alarm system to be registered annually with the Police Department. The fee is $25, with no separate commercial rate.3Arlington County. Arlington County Announces New Alarm Administration Vendor The program covers security alarms only; fire alarms and vehicle alarms are excluded.4Arlington County Virginia Government. Alarm Program and False Alarm Enforcement
The application asks for the name, address, and phone number of both your alarm installation company and your monitoring company, plus two emergency contacts who hold a key and can reach the alarm location within 30 minutes.4Arlington County Virginia Government. Alarm Program and False Alarm Enforcement A contact who lives an hour away will leave officers waiting at a property they can’t enter.
Permits are valid for one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed annually. If you change alarm companies, switch monitoring providers, or update emergency contacts, you have 30 days to record the change. Failing to register at all carries a $50 administrative service fee.
How to Register
In 2026, Arlington County moved to a new alarm administration vendor.3Arlington County. Arlington County Announces New Alarm Administration Vendor Registration and renewals go through the Police Department’s False Alarm Enforcement Office. Check the county’s alarm program page for the current portal link, since the vendor change may have updated the registration URL.
The application collects your contact information, both companies’ details, and your two emergency contacts. Once registered, you receive a permit number your alarm company should keep on file for dispatch.
False Alarm Fees and Appeals
Chapter 33 imposes fees when your alarm generates false dispatches, and the county provides a formal process to contest them. You have 10 business days from receiving a false alarm notification to submit a written appeal to the Chief of Police or a designated agent. The appeal must include your name, registration number, the alarm address, the date of the contested alarm, and the facts supporting your challenge.5Alarm Permit. Arlington County Code Chapter 33
For broader administrative actions, like a registration suspension or an inspection order, there’s a separate hearing before an officer appointed by the County Manager. It must be held within 72 hours of your request unless both sides agree to an extension. The hearing officer can waive or reduce fees if the evidence doesn’t support the county’s action.5Alarm Permit. Arlington County Code Chapter 33 Most people pay false alarm fines without realizing they can contest them.
Keeping Your False Alarm Count Down
User error and equipment problems cause most false alarms. Make sure everyone in the house knows the disarm code, keep your monitoring company’s verbal password current so you can cancel a dispatch over the phone, and watch for low batteries, misaligned door and window contacts, and motion sensors that pick up pets, ceiling fans, or air conditioning drafts. Testing the system monthly and cleaning smoke detectors a couple of times a year will spare you most of the fees above.