False Alarm Fees Could Increase for San Antonio Residents With Unregistered Security Systems

For homeowners in San Antonio, it isn’t just a break-in that can be costly. A false alarm could also be expensive and if the alarm system doesn’t have an active permit, under the city’s new budget proposal, that cost could soon increase.

Increase in False Alarm Fees

Potentially, even a burglar breaking a window or a domestic pet triggering a false alarm, could result in police being automatically summoned. Regrettably though, around 91% of all burglar alarms are, in fact, false alarms, according to San Antonio Police. The city does offer a certain amount of flexibility allowing a number of such false alarms each year before charging for unnecessary call-outs to homeowners and businesses that have paid for their annual permits. Those who do not have a permit, however, are charged from the first unnecessary call-out.

With the view of fiscal year 2025 budget, the City of San Antonio aims to raise the fees for unregistered systems to $250 per false alarm, marking a significant rise from the current fees of $75 for unpermitted residential burglar alarms and $125 for unpermitted residential fire alarms. Furthermore, commercial unpermitted fire and burglar alarm fees also stand at $125 each.

The Impact on City Resources

The San Antonio Police receives about 68,000 false alarm calls every year which, along with firefighters responding to about 11,000 false alarms, equates to time usage equivalent to about 20 patrol officers and four engine companies. Whether these false alarms are originating from unregistered systems or not, is less clear.

Nevertheless, the city’s budget estimates show they expect to have to collect false alarm fees from approximately 9,500 to 13,300 unregistered burglar alarms and almost 1,800 unregistered fire alarms. It is anticipated that the rise in fees will result in an increased revenue of nearly $1.9 million for the city.

An Encouragement for Compliance

City Manager Erik Walsh mentioned in a post-budget presentation, that the idea behind this change is to incentivize homeowners to ensure that security systems are properly registered and well-maintained, so they don’t go off unnecessarily. The proposed changes in fees would not impact the generally lower rates paid by those with registered systems.

An alarm permit currently costs $40 for most San Antonio homeowners and $100 for businesses. These must be renewed annually. Also, much like the city, Bexar County necessitates homeowners and businesses to register their alarm systems.