Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Tarrant County, Texas

Quick Answer: Fire alarm permits in Tarrant County depend on your location. Unincorporated Tarrant County requires an alarm permit from the Sheriff's Office ($25/year). Cities like Fort Worth have separate permit requirements ($50-$100/year). All fire alarm contractors must be licensed through the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office with NICET or ESA certification.

Understanding Tarrant County Jurisdiction

Tarrant County permitting works differently than most Texas jurisdictions. Before beginning any fire alarm project, you must determine whether your property is inside city limits or unincorporated Tarrant County:

• Unincorporated Tarrant County – Permits issued by the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office
• Fort Worth – Largest city, separate permit through Development Services
• Arlington, Irving, Grapevine – Each has independent permit processes
• Smaller municipalities – Contact local police or fire department

The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office only services unincorporated areas that are not within the limits of a city, town, or other governed community.

Unincorporated Tarrant County Requirements

For properties in unincorporated Tarrant County, the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office handles alarm permits.

Permit Details

Item	Details
Permit fee	$25
Valid period	One year from date of issue
Renewal notice	Mailed 30 days before expiration
Payment	Check or money order to Tarrant County Sheriff's Office

Application Requirements

• Permit holder must be an individual (not a company)
• Include company name under Business Name field
• Include apartment numbers, complete zip codes, and telephone area codes
• Provide permit number to your alarm monitoring company after approval

How to Apply

Mail the completed application to:

Tarrant County Sheriff's Office
200 Taylor Street, 6th Floor
Fort Worth, TX 76196

After processing, a copy of your application with your permit number will be mailed to you.

False Alarm Fees

Commissioners Court Order establishes fees for false alarms in unincorporated Tarrant County. All false alarm fees must be paid before a permit can be issued or renewed.

Contact Information

Phone: (817) 884-1323

City of Fort Worth Requirements

If your property is within Fort Worth city limits, you need an alarm permit through the City of Fort Worth Development Services.

Fort Worth Permit Fees

Permit Type	Annual Fee
Residential	$50
Commercial	$100
Low-income residential	Free (with proof of income)
State/Federal government	Exempt

How to Apply in Fort Worth

1. In Person – Planning and Development Department, 1000 Throckmorton
2. By Mail – Download application from city website
3. Online – Through CryWolf Services portal

A separate application must be completed for each address. Permits are valid for 12 months from date of issuance.

Texas State Fire Alarm Contractor Licensing

Regardless of where you work in Tarrant County, fire alarm contractors must be licensed through the Texas Department of Insurance, State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO).

Company Requirements

If your company plans, certifies, leases, sells, services, installs, monitors, or maintains fire detection devices or systems, you must have an Alarm Certificate of Registration (ACR).

The State Fire Marshal cannot register a company without a licensed employee. Your designated employee must hold one of these licenses:

• Fire Alarm Technician (FAL)
• Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent
• Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent

Individual License Types

License Type	Certification Required	Scope of Work
Fire Alarm Technician	NICET Level II or ESA Level II	Install, service, maintain fire alarms
Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent	NICET Level III or PE registration	Design and plan fire alarm systems
Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent	NICET or ESA certification	Residential fire alarm systems

NICET and ESA Requirements

The technician exam may be waived if you hold:

• Current ESA Level II Fire Alarm Technician certification
• NICET Level II certification for fire alarm systems

If you do not have NICET or ESA certification, you must pass the State Fire Marshal's technical qualifying test administered through PSI.

Application Process

1. Submit fingerprints (required unless already on file with SFMO)
2. Include NICET or ESA documentation with application
3. Pay applicable fees
4. Pass background check

Important: As of January 2026, if your SFMO license has expired and you do not have another active license on file, you must submit new fingerprint information before renewal.

All licenses are now sent by email only—paper licenses and pocket cards are no longer provided.

SFMO Contact

Phone: (512) 676-6800 (press 1)

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

Fire Protection System Permits for New Construction

The Tarrant County Fire Marshal oversees fire code compliance for new construction in unincorporated areas.

Key requirements:

• Third-party plan reviews required for all new construction fire protection systems
• Plans must show fire alarm device locations, wiring routes, and control panel placement
• Coordination with local fire department for final inspection

When Permits Are Required vs. Exempt

Permits Required

• New fire alarm system installations (commercial and residential)
• Major modifications to existing systems
• Adding monitoring service to any alarm system
• New construction projects with fire protection systems

May Be Exempt

• Replacing batteries or smoke detector heads
• Minor repairs to existing systems
• State and federal government facilities (permit fees waived)

Residential vs. Commercial Fire Alarms

Residential Projects

Residential fire alarm systems in Tarrant County typically include:

• Smoke detectors (hardwired or wireless)
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Heat detectors in garages
• Monitoring service connections

Texas Building Code requires smoke alarms in all bedrooms, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of the home.

Commercial Projects

Commercial fire alarm systems have additional requirements:

• Addressable fire alarm control panels
• Duct smoke detectors for HVAC systems
• Manual pull stations at exits
• Horn/strobe notification appliances per ADA requirements
• Fire department connection and annunciator panels
• Elevator recall integration

Healthcare, education, and high-rise buildings have additional code requirements enforced by the local fire marshal.

Pro Tips from the Field

Experienced fire alarm contractors working in Tarrant County recommend:

• Verify jurisdiction first – Call the county or city to confirm which permit office has authority
• Keep your SFMO license current – The 2026 fingerprint requirement catches many contractors off guard
• Coordinate with the AHJ – The Authority Having Jurisdiction (fire marshal) should review plans before installation
• Document everything – Photos of device placement and wire routing help with inspections
• Test before final inspection – Run a full system test to catch issues before the fire marshal arrives
• Provide monitoring info – Give the property owner the permit number to register with their monitoring company

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

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

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Related Permit Guides

• Fort Worth, Texas Fire Alarm Permits
• Dallas, Texas Fire Alarm Permits
• Houston, Texas Fire Alarm Permits
• San Antonio, Texas Fire Alarm Permits
• Texas Low Voltage License Requirements

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