Security Camera Permit Requirements in St. Charles County, Missouri

Installing security cameras in St. Charles County, Missouri? This guide covers permit requirements, licensing rules, and alarm registration regulations for surveillance system contractors working in the county and its municipalities.

Quick Answer: Do You Need a Permit for Security Cameras?

Generally no. St. Charles County does not require a specific permit for installing private security camera systems. However, if your installation involves electrical work beyond low-voltage wiring, or if you are mounting equipment that requires structural modifications, building permits may apply. Additionally, alarm systems connected to police dispatch require registration under Chapter 215 of the county ordinances.

What Are the Permit Exemptions in St. Charles County?

Most security camera installations fall under low-voltage work and are exempt from permit requirements. However, there are important distinctions:

• Standalone CCTV systems: No permit required for cameras that record locally or stream to cloud services without police monitoring
• Cameras integrated with alarm systems: The alarm portion requires registration with the St. Charles County Police Department
• Commercial installations with electrical modifications: May require an electrical permit if adding new circuits
• Structural modifications: Pole mounts or significant building penetrations may require building permits

Does Missouri Require a Contractor License for Security Camera Installation?

Missouri provides significant flexibility for low-voltage contractors. Under RSMo § 324.915, contractors performing low-voltage work are exempt from state electrical licensing requirements.

The exemption covers contractors engaged in the design, installation, erection, repair, maintenance, or alteration of:

• Class 2 or Class 3 remote control, signaling, or power-limited circuits
• Optical fiber cables and other cabling
• Communications circuits for voice, video, audio, and data signals

For complete details on Missouri licensing, see our Missouri Low Voltage Contractor License Guide.

What Are the Alarm Registration Requirements?

St. Charles County regulates alarm systems that dispatch police under Chapter 215 of the County Ordinances:

Requirement	Details
New System Grace Period	30 days from activation (must notify department)
False Alarm Fee	$100.00 per excessive false alarm
Payment Deadline	30 days from demand
Non-Payment Consequence	Suspension of police response
Auto-Dial Systems	Pre-recorded message systems prohibited

Important: Alarm notifications caused by actual criminal offenses or attempted offenses are not counted as false alarms.

What About City of St. Charles Requirements?

The City of St. Charles (a municipality within the county) has additional requirements under Chapter 635:

• Registration Required: All alarm systems within city limits must be registered with the St. Charles Police Department as of April 1, 2025
• Online Registration: Available at stcharles.alarmreg.com
• Applies to: Both commercial and residential alarm systems
• New Installations: Cannot be operated until registered and assigned an alarm identification number

How Do Fees and Timelines Work?

Item	Cost/Timeline
Security Camera Permit	Not required for standalone systems
Alarm Registration (County)	No fee for initial registration
Alarm Registration (City of St. Charles)	Contact police department for current fees
False Alarm Penalty	$100.00 per excessive response
Building Permit (if needed)	Contact Community Development at 636-949-3218

What Is the Community Camera Program?

The St. Charles County Community Camera Program is a voluntary program where residents and businesses can register their surveillance systems with the police department:

• Voluntary participation: Registration does not give police direct access to your cameras
• No obligation to share: You are not required to provide footage
• Contact on request: Police may contact you if criminal activity occurs nearby
• Benefits: Helps investigators quickly identify cameras that may have captured evidence

Residential vs Commercial: What Is Different?

Residential Installations

• No permit typically required for standard camera systems
• Alarm registration required if connected to police dispatch
• Missouri law restricts cameras in areas with reasonable expectation of privacy
• Audio recording requires consent under Missouri wiretapping laws (RSMo § 542.402)

Commercial Installations

• Same permit exemptions apply for low-voltage camera work
• Larger systems with electrical modifications may require permits
• Alarm registration required for monitored systems
• May need to coordinate with fire marshal for integrated life-safety systems

Pro Tips from Experienced Contractors

• Document the 30-day grace period: When installing new alarm systems in unincorporated St. Charles County, notify the department in writing to start the false alarm exemption period
• City vs. County: Know whether your job site is in unincorporated St. Charles County or within a municipality like St. Charles, St. Peters, or O'Fallon—each may have different requirements
• Audio recording caution: Disable audio on outdoor cameras or ensure clients understand consent requirements to avoid felony wiretapping charges
• Recommend the Community Camera Program: Encouraging clients to register builds community trust and can be a selling point
• Keep RSMo § 324.915 documentation handy: Some building officials may not be familiar with the low-voltage exemption

Where to Get More Information

St. Charles County Community Development:
Phone: 636-949-3218
Website: sccmo.org/codes-and-ordinances

St. Charles County Police Department:
Community Camera Program: sccmo.org/community-camera-program

City of St. Charles Police Department:
Alarm Registration: stcharles.alarmreg.com
False Alarm Information: stcharlescitymo.gov/false-alarms

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

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