For residences and businesses that have alarm systems within our jurisdiction, a permit is required per Chapter 68 of the Travis County Procedures. To view our jurisdiction, please review our District Map.
If you live in Travis County, but are within the city limits of another jurisdiction, please contact your local police department to inquire if an alarm permit is required.
Register Your Alarm
Business Permit: $110 | Residential Permit: $50
Payment is accepted by check or money order made payable to Travis County.
NOTICE REGARDING ONLINE PAYMENTS:
Our online payment processor JPMorgan Chase (“Chase Payments”) has discontinued service. We are actively working on an alternative online payment solution and will post details to this website when available. In the interim, you may mail your check or money order to this address:
Travis County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Alarm Permit
P.O. Box 459
Del Valle, TX 78617
We will process your mail-in payment on the day it is received and email (if available) or mail your permit to the address on file.
NOTICE OF FEE CHANGE:
The Travis County Commissioners Court sets the fees for services the Travis County Sheriff’s Office provides, in accordance with Section 118.131 of the Local Government Code. On August 1, 2023, the court conducted an annual review of sheriff and constable fees. On recommendation from the Planning and Budget Office, the court took action to increase alarm permit registration fees to match those of the City of Austin. These fees hadn’t been increased in over a decade. Pursuant to the court’s decision, permit fees for 2024 forward are $50 annually for residential alarms and $110 for commercial alarms.
Details of the decision may be viewed on page 575 of the court’s agenda package: Commissioners Court Voting Session.
Application Methods
ONline:
To submit the Alarm Permit Application online, please follow the link below:
You will receive an email from
Mail:
To submit the application via U.S. mail, please complete the alarm permit application below:
Download Alarm Permit Application
Please send the completed application and money order or check payable to Travis County to:
Travis County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Alarm Permit
P.O. Box 459
Del Valle, TX 78617
In Person:
Travis County Sheriff's Office (map)
5555 Airport Blvd.
Austin, TX 78751
Monday - Friday from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (closed on Travis County holidays)
Your alarm permit will be emailed (if available) or mailed to the address provided within 10 business days.
Know the Rules
Any person commits an offense if he/she violates any provision of these rules not otherwise provided for and punishable under Texas law, as enacted and amended. An offense under this section is a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500).
- Permit is valid from the date of issuance to December 31.
- Renewal is required by January 1.
- Permit is non-transferable and fees are not prorated.
- Permit must remain on-site.
- Permit holder is allowed five free false alarms before a fine will be imposed.
- The fine for each false alarm after five is $75.
- Your alarm must have a 30-minute shut off feature.
- The permit-holder, or a designee, must be able to deactivate or reset the alarm if needed.
- The permit holder is responsible for the maintenance of the alarm and for the training of persons in its use.
Help Reduce False Alarms
A properly maintained and operated alarm system may protect your family and property from danger. However, a malfunctioning or abused system may do just the opposite. Up to 95% of the alarm calls that our deputies respond to are false; false alarm responses take them away from proactive patrol efforts in the community. Therefore, it is our goal to work with alarm owners to reduce the number of false alarms so that we may do our job and be there when an actual emergency occurs. The alarm policy of Travis County is designed to ensure that local law enforcement has your alarm on record so that we can contact you if there is a problem.
Home Security Inspection
TCSO Community Outreach Unit can assist you if you have questions about problems with your alarm and they can give you tips on ways to make sure that you do not have false alarms. If you would like to schedule a Home Security Inspection, please contact
For more information, please contact: