Access Control Permit Requirements in Tarrant County, Texas

Quick Answer: Access control system installations in Tarrant County require both state licensing and local permits. Installers must hold a Texas DPS Electronic Access Control Device Installer license under a Class B Security Contractor company. Local alarm permits are required—$25/year through the Tarrant County Sheriff for unincorporated areas, or city-specific permits for Fort Worth and other municipalities.

Understanding Access Control Permits in Tarrant County

Access control systems—including card readers, keypads, biometric scanners, and electric locks—fall under the private security regulations in Texas. Unlike some low voltage work, access control installation requires specific state licensing through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Permit requirements in Tarrant County depend on two factors:

• State licensing – Required for all access control work in Texas
• Local alarm permits – Required when the system connects to monitoring or police dispatch

Texas State Licensing Requirements

The Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security Bureau regulates access control installation under Chapter 1702 of the Texas Occupations Code.

Individual License: Electronic Access Control Device Installer

Anyone who installs or maintains electronic access control devices must hold an Electronic Access Control Device Installer license issued by DPS.

Requirements include:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Pass a fingerprint-based background check
• Complete required training
• Be employed by or affiliated with a licensed company

Company License: Class B Security Contractor

Companies performing access control work must hold a Class B Security Contractor License with the Electronic Access category.

The Class B license covers multiple categories:

• Alarm systems
• Electronic access control
• Video surveillance
• Guard services
• Locksmith services
• Armored car and courier

A company can hold one or more of these categories under their Class B license.

Legal Framework

Under Texas Occupations Code Section 1702.1025, a person may not act as an electronic access control device company unless they hold the proper license. Section 1702.1055 defines the scope: a person acts as an electronic access control device company if they install or maintain electronic access control devices.

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

Tarrant County Local Permit Requirements

Beyond state licensing, local permits may be required depending on whether the access control system connects to alarm monitoring or police dispatch.

Unincorporated Tarrant County

The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office handles alarm permits for unincorporated areas only.

Item	Details
Permit fee	$25
Valid period	One year
Renewal notice	Mailed 30 days before expiration
Payment	Check or money order

Application process:

1. Complete the alarm permit application
2. Mail to Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, 200 Taylor Street, 6th Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76196
3. Include $25 payment (check or money order payable to Tarrant County Sheriff's Office)
4. Receive permit number by mail after processing
5. Provide permit number to monitoring company

Contact: (817) 884-1323

City of Fort Worth

Properties within Fort Worth city limits require a separate permit through the City of Fort Worth Development Services.

Permit Type	Annual Fee
Residential	$50
Commercial	$100
Low-income residential	Free (with proof)

Apply online, by mail, or in person at 1000 Throckmorton Street.

Other Cities in Tarrant County

Each municipality has its own permit requirements:

• Arlington – Contact Arlington Police Department
• Grapevine – Contact Grapevine Police Department
• Haslet – Security alarm permits through city website
• Other cities – Contact local police or building department

Always verify jurisdiction before starting work—properties near city boundaries may have different requirements than expected.

When Permits Are Required vs. Exempt

Permits Required

• Access control systems connected to central monitoring
• Systems that dispatch police or security response
• Integrated alarm and access control systems
• Commercial systems with duress or panic functions

May Not Require Local Permit

• Standalone access control with no monitoring
• Systems that only log access without alarm dispatch
• Interior door access control without external notification

Note: Even when local permits are not required, state DPS licensing is always required for the installer and company.

Residential vs. Commercial Access Control

Residential Projects

Residential access control systems in Tarrant County typically include:

• Smart locks with keypad or app control
• Video doorbell integration
• Gate and garage access controllers
• Basic card or fob entry systems

Many residential smart lock installations do not require local permits if they are standalone devices without monitoring. However, the installer still needs proper DPS licensing.

Commercial Projects

Commercial access control involves more complex requirements:

• Multi-door card access systems
• Biometric readers (fingerprint, facial recognition)
• Visitor management integration
• Time and attendance tracking
• Elevator floor access control
• Integration with fire alarm for egress
• Anti-passback and tailgating prevention

Commercial systems often integrate with alarm monitoring, which triggers the local permit requirement.

Access Control and Fire Code Considerations

When access control systems affect means of egress, coordination with the local fire marshal is required:

• Exit doors with maglocks must have proper release mechanisms
• Fire alarm integration for automatic unlock on alarm
• Request-to-exit devices must meet code requirements
• Delayed egress locks have specific signage and timing requirements

The Tarrant County Fire Marshal oversees fire code compliance in unincorporated areas. Cities like Fort Worth have their own fire marshal offices.

Fees and Timeline Summary

Item	Cost	Timeline
DPS Electronic Access Installer license	Varies by application	4-6 weeks
Class B Company license	$500+ annually	4-8 weeks
Tarrant County alarm permit	$25/year	1-2 weeks
Fort Worth alarm permit	$50-$100/year	1-2 weeks

Pro Tips from the Field

Experienced access control installers in Tarrant County recommend:

• Verify licensing before bidding – Ensure your company's Class B license includes the Electronic Access category
• Check jurisdiction early – Property addresses near city limits can be confusing—verify with the county or city
• Coordinate fire integration – Any maglocks on egress doors need fire alarm relay integration
• Document the handoff – Provide the customer with their permit number and monitoring company contact info
• Keep credentials current – DPS conducts random audits; expired licenses mean work stoppage
• Train end users – Proper user training reduces false alarms and permit fee penalties

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

Want to know when access control projects hit permits in Tarrant County before they reach bid boards?

LVN Signal monitors permit activity across Texas and alerts you to opportunities the moment they are filed.

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Related Permit Guides

• Fort Worth, Texas Access Control Permits
• Dallas, Texas Access Control Permits
• Dallas County, Texas Access Control Permits
• Houston, Texas Access Control Permits
• Texas Low Voltage License Requirements

Last updated: January 2026. Permit requirements and licensing rules change frequently. Always verify current requirements with DPS and the local authority having jurisdiction before starting work.