Alarm Permits

Commercial and Residential Security System Alarm Permits

For residences and businesses that have alarm systems within the City of Palestine, a permit is required per Chapter 22, Article VIII of the Palestine Code of Ordinances.

An alarm permit is issued for one year and is renewable annually. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to submit an application for renewal at least ten days prior to the permit expiration date.

Register and Pay for an Alarm Unit

Download and complete one of the Alarm Permit Applications listed below; if you need assistance in completing the application, please call 903-731-8400.

Business Permit: $40

Residential Permit: No cost

Payment is accepted by check or money order made payable to the City of Palestine.

Option 1 (Residential and Business): Mail your application or application and payment to:

City of Palestine
Attn: Alarm Permit
504 N Queen Street
Palestine, TX 75801

Option 2: (Residential Only) You can email your application to the city manager admin.

Option 3: (Residential and Business): Drop off your application or application and payment (Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm) at:

City of Palestine
504 N Queen Street
Palestine, TX 75801

Applications

Know the Rules

It is unlawful for any person to operate or cause to be operated an alarm system unless a valid permit has been issued by the city. An alarm system user shall obtain an alarm permit for each alarm site.

  • The permit is valid for the year in which the renewal application/and or payment is received and is renewable annually.
  • Renewal is required by January 1.
  • A permit issued under this division cannot be transferred to another person.
  • An alarm permit holder shall, if ownership of the property is transferred, notify the new owner of the property in writing of the requirement to have an alarm permit, and of the requirement to file an application to transfer the alarm permit within 30 days of the transfer of ownership.
  • The permit holder is allowed 3 free false alarms before a fine will be imposed. If the alarm site has had more than three but fewer than ten other alarms per calendar year as specified by the permit, the fee is $100; and if the alarm site has had ten or more other false alarms per calendar year as specified by the permit, the fee is $150.

What You May Not Know

Three main causes of false alarms are:

  1. User error
  2. Installation/service errors
  3. Equipment failure
  • More than 80% of all false alarms are caused by user error
  • There are easy steps you and your alarm dealer can take to prevent false alarms
  • False alarms present a serious threat to the effectiveness of our local police, fire and EMS departments, as well as to the safety of our citizens
  • False alarms are costly and dangerous because they divert police officers from proactive crime prevention efforts and can divert public safety responses from true emergency calls

Major Causes of False Alarms

  • Unlocked or loose doors/ windows
  • Children, Neighbors, and Visitors
  • Cleaning Crews/ Repairmen/ Pet Sitters
  • Pets or other wildlife
  • User Error
  • Equipment Malfunction

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 the door 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 arm your system to leave and disarm your system when you enter.

Know What to Do if You Set Your Alarm off Accidentally

  • First, don't panic. Carefully enter your disarm code to reset your system.
  • Wait for your alarm company or central monitoring station to call, and give your password or ID card number.
  • Do not leave your home or business until you have talked with your monitoring station! If they do not call you, have the number posted by your control panel and contact them to cancel the police dispatch.
  • 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.

  • Know what to do if you set your alarm off accidentally:

  • First, don't panic. Carefully enter your disarm code to reset your system.
  • Wait for your alarm company or central monitoring station to call, and give your password or ID card number.
  • Do not leave your home or business until you have talked with your monitoring station! If they do not call you, have the number posted by your control panel and contact them to cancel the police dispatch.
  • 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.

At Home

Do not call 911 to cancel alarm activations-you must call your monitoring station.

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 can cause motion sensors to go off.
  • Do not call 911 to cancel alarm activations-you must call your alarm company.
  • 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, unaware or uncaring employees
  • Alarm equipment, such as motion sensors or overhead door magnets, being hit by forklifts

Contact Your Alarm Company

  • If you plan any improvement or renovation projects, such as changing phone systems, reconfiguring a room, adding a wall, rearranging cubicles, installing skylights or ceiling fans, or even fumigating.
  • If you plan to change your alarm system batteries. This can cause an interruption in your system's power supply which may trigger an alarm activation.
  • Also, alert your alarm company if you hire domestic help or acquire a pet. 

Review with your alarm company the procedures you expect them to follow when your alarm activates:

  • Do you want them to attempt to call more than one person on your contact list before requesting emergency dispatch?
  • Do you only want the police notified if the exterior and interior zones are both activated?
  • Put your instructions in writing