1. Who is required to have an alarm permit/license?
   Everyone operating an alarm system inside the City limits is required to register their alarm system. A separate permit is required for each alarm site. Government buildings are exempt from paying the registration fee, but must register their alarm system.
   
   
2. How do I register my alarm system?
   You can register your alarm system or renew your alarm permit:
   
     • Online: Visit falsealarms.cityofcarrollton.com; To register, tap the “REGISTER ONLINE” button and then click on which situation fits you best. Note: A convenience fee of 2% applies to the total charge. MasterCard, Discover, Visa, and American Express cards are accepted.
   
     • By Mail: Print the registration form above that applies to you and complete the form. Send the completed form and payment, payable to City of Carrollton, to: PO Box 224863 Dallas, TX 75222. THE SYSTEM WILL ASSIGN AN ALARM PERMIT # - BE SURE TO WRITE THE PERMIT # IN THE “NOTES” SECTION OF YOUR CHECK.
   
     • In Person: Visit the Utility Bill payment counter located on the first floor inside City Hall (1945 E. Jackson Rd.). Payment is accepted via check, cash, money order or credit card (2% convenience fee applies).
   
   
3. What is the cost of the alarm registration?
   The cost of an alarm registration can be found below under "Fees for Alarm Permits & False Alarms."
   
   
4. Will Carrollton Police Department (CPD) respond if I do not have an alarm permit?
   CPD will not respond to an alarm at an address where an alarm system is operating without a valid permit or the permit has been revoked, except for fire, medical, or alarms purposely initiated by a Person.
   
   
5. Are alarm permits transferrable?
   No. Permits do not transfer from person to person or site to site.
   
   
6. Do I have to register my car alarm?
   No, car alarms do not need to be registered.
   
   
7. Do I need to renew my alarm permit?
   Yes, the initial permit is issued only for a period of one year. The renewal permit effective date is the anniversary date of the prior permit and can be done by visiting  falsealarms.cityofcarrollton.com. The renewal permit fees are available below under "Fees for Alarm Permits & False Alarms."
   
   
8. What are the costs of having a false alarm?
     •  Burglary false alarms fees are available below under "Fees for Alarm Permits & False Alarms."
     •  Non-burglary false alarms (panic, fire, or emergency medical services) fees are available below under "Fees for Alarm Permits & False Alarms."
   
   
9. Will I be charged for alarm activations that are not false?
   No, you will never be charged for an alarm activation that is not false; this ordinance allows charges for false alarms only.
   
   
10. What will happen if I do not pay the alarm fines?
    Your alarm permit will be suspended or revoked if alarm fines are not paid within 30 days.
    
    
11. Can my alarm permit be revoked?
    Yes, for:
      •  failure to make a timely payment of assessed fees or fines;
      •  having more than 8 false alarms within the preceding 12-month period:
      •  or, making a false statement of a material fact in the application for registration.
    
    
12. How do I reinstate my alarm permit if it has been revoked or suspended?
    You will be required to pay all outstanding fees and fines assessed due to lack of payment. If your permit was suspended due to excess of false alarms, you will be required to comply with specific alarm user training and alarm inspections.
    
    
13. If I disagree with my alarm permit revocation or suspension, can I appeal?
    Yes. If you disagree, the ordinance has an appeal provision. The Alarm User may appeal the denial of issuance or renewal, or revocation of an alarm permit to the City by paying an appeal fee of $25 and setting in writing the reasons for the appeal within then (10) business days after the mailing of the notice of denial of issuance or renewal or revocation.
    
    For more details related to the appeal process, refer to Sec.110.18 of the City of Carrollton Code of Ordinance.
    
    
14. How do I cancel my permit?
    All cancellations must be in writing. Cancellations should include effective cancellation date, permit number and alarm site address. They can be sent by:
      •  E-mail to alarmpermituser@cityofcarrollton.com
      •  Mail to City of Carrollton, PO Box 224863 Dallas, TX 75222
    
    
15.  Who do I contact if I have questions or comments?
    You can e-mail alarmpermituser@cityofcarrollton.com or call 972-466-3525
    Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
    
    
16. Are false alarms a problem?
    Yes. Across the nation, the growth of alarm system ownership has resulted in a tremendous number of false alarms. The response to false alarms has created an additional burden on our law enforcement agencies. Nationwide, approximately 99% or more of all the burglar alarms police respond on are false.
    
    
17. What does the City hope to accomplish by enforcing the false alarm ordinance?
    The City aims to reduce the number of false alarms so first responders can focus on real emergencies.
    
    
18. What is the effective date for the ordinance?
    The latest version of the alarm ordinance went into effect on October 1, 2012.
    
    
19. Where can I read or obtain a copy of the ordinance?
    The alarm ordinance can be found here.

CHAPTER 31. COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE – Section (I) Police

Sec. 31.01. Establishment of fees for city services.

The following fee schedule is hereby established and the following fees shall be
charged for various services rendered by the city.

(I) Police.

(1) Definitions:

• Initial permit. An initial permit is an alarm permit issued for a period of one year.
  
  
• Renewal permit. A renewal permit is an alarm permit issued by the city before the expiration of an initial or renewal permit.
  • The renewal permit effective date is the anniversary date of the prior permit.
    
    
  • After expiration of a permit, it may not be renewed and a new initial permit must be obtained.

(2) Permits:

• Commercial alarm permits, per year:
  • Initial permit: $75.00
    
    
  • Renewal permit: $50.00
    
    
• Residential alarm permits, per year:
  • Initial permit: $50.00
    
    
  • Renewal permit: $25.00
    
    
• Alarm permit revocation appeal fee: $25.00
  
  
• Handbills, per six-month period: $50.00
  
  
• Solicitors, per six-month period: $50.00
  
  
• Individual solicitor certificate, per six month period: $10.00
  
  
• Individual handbill distributor certificate, per six month period: $10.00 

(3) Alarm system false alarm fees:

• False burglar alarm response charge based on number of false alarm responses in the previous 12 month period:
  • 1st to 3rd: no charge
    
    
  • 4th and 5th: $50.00
    
    
  • 6th and 7th: $75.00
    
    
  • 8th and more: $100.00
    
    
• False alarm (other than burglar) response charge based on number of false alarm responses in the previous 12 month period:
  
  • 1st and 2nd: no charge
    
    
  • 3rd and more: $100.00
    
    

(4) Other fees:

• Police reports, per report: $4.00
  
  
• Police reports, per report certified (additional to original fee): $1.00
  
  
• Fingerprinting fee, per fingerprint card: $10.00
  
  
• Accident Reports: $6.00
  
  
• Clearance Letter: $4.00
  
  
• Clearance Letter – Notarized: $5.00

What is a false alarm?

Why are false alarms a problem?

False alarms place an unnecessary burden on first responders, taking them away from real emergencies and can delay critical help. They also strain resources, increase costs, and impact public safety.

In Carrollton, repeated false alarms can result in fines, with charges increasing after multiple incidents.

By preventing false alarms, residents and businesses help avoid unnecessary fees, ensure emergency crews are available when they’re truly needed, and improve community safety.

Nearly 80% of false alarms are caused by user error. Other common causes include issues with alarm installation, maintenance, or equipment failure. Understanding these causes can help alarm owners reduce unnecessary activations.

Examples of False Alarm Triggers:

• User Mistakes: Entering the wrong code, forgetting to disarm the system, or not training others who use the alarm (like children, employees, or cleaners).
  
  
• Unlocked or Loose Doors and Windows: These can move and trigger sensors when the alarm is armed.
  
  
• Pets and Wildlife: Animals can trip motion detectors or activate glass break sensors.
  
  
• Objects or Conditions in the Environment: Drafts that move curtains or plants, helium balloons, or even items falling can cause false alarms.
  
  
• Improper Installation or Equipment Failure: Faulty wiring, low batteries, or outdated equipment can lead to unnecessary activations.

By addressing these common triggers, residents and businesses can prevent false alarms, avoid fines, and ensure emergency teams are ready to respond to real emergencies.

What do I do if I accidentally set off my alarm?

• First, don't panic. Carefully enter your disarm code to reset your system.
• Wait for your Alarm Company or central monitoring station to call, then provide them with your password or ID card number.
• Do not leave your home or business until you have talked with your monitoring station.  Always have the monitoring station's number posted by your control panel. If the monitoring station does not call you, contact them to cancel the police dispatch.
• DO NOT call 911 to cancel alarm activations--you must call your monitoring station.
• You can arrange to have your alarm monitoring station call you or another designated person first before the police are called whenever your alarm is activated.
• If you are aware of a problem with the system, you can cancel the police dispatch.

Here are some easy tips you and your alarm company
can use to prevent false alarms:

• Before You Activate Your Alarm System:
  • Are you and others who use the security system fully educated on its proper operation? This may include domestic/cleaning crews, children, neighbors, caretakers, employees and temporary staff.
  • Make sure you securely close and lock all protected doors and windows.
  • If you are leaving your home or business, make sure the door you leave by is closed tight.
  • Keep pets, balloons, fans, heaters, etc. away from motion sensor areas.
  • Know and rehearse the process to cancel an accidental alarm. Anyone with your key should know this process.
  • Know how much time you have after you activate your system to leave and to disarm your system when you enter.
    
    
• At Home
  Avoid objects that trigger your alarm:
  • Unlocked, loose fitting, or open doors or windows. Always keep doors and windows locked when the alarm is in an "ON" mode to reduce the chance that friends, neighbors or customers enter and cause the alarm to activate.
  • Unsupervised pets - If you have pets, take special care to purchase an alarm system that is
    tolerant of pets. You may not want to purchase motion detectors if your pets have free run of the house when the alarm is on. Also, sometimes barking dogs can activate glass break detectors.
  • Balloons that move and cause motion sensors to go off.
  • DO NOT call 911 to cancel alarm activations; you must call your monitoring station.
  • Drafts that move plants and curtains.
    
    
• At your Business
  Watch for these pitfalls that may activate your alarm:
  • Swinging doors or windows
  • Banners or signs
  • Mylar balloons
  • Plants or curtains caught in drafts
  • Stacked items, such as boxes, which may fall, setting off motion detectors
  • Unsupervised guests
  • Untrained employees
  • Alarm equipment, such as motion sensors or overhead door magnets, being hit by forklifts
    
    
• Contact your alarm company:
  • If you plan any home improvements or renovation projects, such as changing phone systems, the configuration of a room, adding a wall, rearranging cubicles, installing skylights or ceiling fans, or even fumigating.
  • If you plan to change your alarm system batteries, which can cause an interruption to your system’s power supply.
  • Also alert your alarm company if you acquire a pet or hire domestic help.
    
    
• Review with your alarm company what procedures they will follow if/when your alarm activates:
  • Will they attempt to call more than one person on your contact list before requesting emergency dispatch?
  • What criteria do they follow to determine when to notify the police?
  • Request their procedures in writing.
    
    
• With people:
  Enhance your alarm system’s potential:
  • Train responders who have premise keys on complete system operation.
  • Instruct domestic or repair persons that you have an alarm system and what to do in case they set off the alarm.
  • Lock your doors using dead bolt locks.
    
    
• Recommendations:
  • Have a maintenance contract with a licensed alarm company and have your alarm system checked every year.
  • If you are apprehensive about using your system, call your alarm company.