Do I need an alarm permit in Bellaire?

Short answer: Yes. No one may operate an alarm system in Bellaire unless the police department has issued a current permit for it. A permit is valid for 12 months and must be renewed. The city manager sets false-alarm fees; the city's FAQ currently lists no fee for the first three false alarms in 12 months, then rising fees after that, and the code allows no false-alarm penalty or fee unless at least three other false alarms occurred in the preceding 12 months.

Permit required

"No person shall operate, cause to be operated or permit the operation of an alarm system unless a current permit has been issued by the police department for such system." One permit does not cover both hold-up alarms and burglar alarms, so each type needs its own permit. "Each permit issued in accordance with this article shall be valid for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance and must be renewed," unless it is revoked or the property changes hands. The permit holder must keep the permit at the alarm site and produce it when a police or fire department member asks.

Rule: City Code Sec. 9.5-2.

False alarms

Sec. 9.5-19 covers false alarms and includes a defense when an alarm sounded solely to test it and reasonable precautions were taken. Sec. 9.5-20 says the city council delegates to the city manager the power to establish a schedule of false alarm fees. The city's public FAQ (Alarm Systems) states the current schedule: the first three false alarms in 12 months do not result in a fine; the 4th and 5th are $50 each; the 6th and 7th are $75 each; the 8th and later are $100 each. Apply and renew through the city's alarm permit portal. Sec. 9.5-7 also has the city manager establish a fee schedule for permits.

Rule: City Code Sec. 9.5-7, Sec. 9.5-19 and Sec. 9.5-20; City FAQ (Alarm Systems).

What happens if you don't

Operating an alarm system without a current permit violates Sec. 9.5-2. We did not find a dollar fine in Sec. 9.5-2, so the general penalty applies: a fine of up to $500, and each day counts as a new offense (Sec. 1-10; Texas Local Government Code Sec. 54.001). For false alarms, the code says no penalty or fee for signaling a false alarm by a burglar alarm system "shall be made unless at least three other false alarms have occurred during the preceding 12 months" (Sec. 9.5-20). Sec. 9.5-27 covers suspension or termination of a permit, and Sec. 9.5-28 covers reinstatement of a revoked permit.

Who to call

Bellaire Police Department (alarm permits).

Sources

• City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances, Chapter 9.5 (Sec. 9.5-2, Sec. 9.5-7, Sec. 9.5-19, Sec. 9.5-20, Sec. 9.5-27, Sec. 9.5-28), Sec. 1-10. library.municode.com/tx/bellaire
• City of Bellaire FAQ, Alarm Systems. https://www.bellairetx.gov/FAQ.aspx?TID=0

En español

¿Necesito permiso para mi alarma en Bellaire? Sí. Nadie puede operar un sistema de alarma a menos que el departamento de policía haya emitido un permiso vigente. El permiso dura 12 meses y debe renovarse, y usted debe guardarlo en el sitio de la alarma. Las alarmas de asalto y las de robo necesitan permisos separados. Operar una alarma sin permiso puede costar una multa de hasta $500, y cada día cuenta como una infracción nueva (Sec. 1-10). No se impone sanción ni cargo por una falsa alarma de un sistema de robo salvo que hayan ocurrido al menos otras tres en los 12 meses anteriores (Sec. 9.5-20). El administrador de la ciudad fija la tarifa de falsas alarmas; según las preguntas frecuentes de la ciudad, las primeras tres falsas alarmas en 12 meses no tienen multa, la cuarta y la quinta cuestan $50 cada una, la sexta y la séptima $75 cada una, y de la octava en adelante $100 cada una. Para el permiso, comuníquese con el Departamento de Policía de Bellaire.