Alarm permit required? (Katy, Fort Bend County) (Howe: insurance, house)

[taknev]

One of my colleagues (who lives in Harris County) recently told me about the requirement to have an alarm permit for Home Security system. I found an application form from Fort Bend County posted online for this. However they are asking for TX Board of Private Investigators license#. I called my security company for this # and they said based on my address (zip code 77494) I do not need a permit at all. Can anyone please share your thoughts on this? Is a permit required in Fort Bend County (specifically Katy)? My colleague's friend (who lives in Harris county) apparently got a ticket for not having a permit (after a false alarm). Thanks!

[DSL_PWR]

Yes, you need an alarm permit. $35 dollars for the first year and $10 dollars every year after that.

[TexasCatherine]

Interesting question. I live in 77494, we have an alarm system, and to the best of my knowledge, we were not required to have a permit. Granted, we had the house built while we were out of the country so perhaps the builder applied for and received a license, but we have never received a bill in the 8 years we've been in this house.

[NYC_transplant_in_Houston]

Check with your local police department. It all depends on the jurisdiction. For instance, since SLPD is responsible for my neighborhood, I did not have to pay the Fort Bend fee and did not have to file an application. You'll also want to notify your home insurance company to receive a discount in your policy.

[mikeyyc]

Rural Fort Bend does not require a permit (at least in Sienna, where I am.) Most permits are from municipalities. If the county says no, the answer is no, unless you live within the city limits of Katy, in which case you need to ask them.

[TexasTony]

need a permit from sheriff department

[theking_z]

I had to pay for permit for my Smith Thompson in the Cinco area. I was told if you don't have a permit and in the event the alarm goes off and you don't respond to the the phone call, you have to pay 75 bucks for each false call. With a permit, you are allowed to have 4 false call per year. Don't know if it is true but I don't want to take a chance.

Paid 35 bucks first time and got renewal notice for 10 bucks thereafter from FBPD.

[979Texan]

What a crock. The "legit" crooks AKA cops make you pay for protection.

That is a racket. Anyone who thinks cops are here to protect and serve is smoking whacky weed.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

Originally Posted by 979Texan

What a crock. The "legit" crooks AKA cops make you pay for protection.

That is a racket. Anyone who thinks cops are here to protect and serve is smoking whacky weed.

There are too mamy homeowners/landlords who don't/won't maintain their equipment which causes false alarms. Police/Medic/Fire personnel who are called out to a false alarm could very well have missed a critical call, or missed a criminal because they were answering a false alarm. God forbid someone is danger, abuse, burglary, etc.

The only way to try to make people responsible is to make them pay for the false alarms. 'Seems fair to me. Just like most people don't register their animals with the city. It sucks, but there is always a legit reason for it if you ask.

[Rip808]

Yes. I own a home in Katy (incorporated) Fort Bend County and we had to get an alarm permit sent to the county.