Common cause for a series of false alarms.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 11-69
in effectSec. 11-69. - Common cause for a series of false alarms.
(a) In general. Notwithstanding other provisions in this article to the contrary, false alarms of an alarm system may be accounted for as provided in this section to the extent the false alarms are attributable to a common cause.
(b) Establishment of common cause; conditions. A series of false alarms shall be deemed as originating from a common cause and counted as one false alarm if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The series of false alarms occurs within a 72-hour period;
(2) The alarm system has a valid alarm permit at the time of the false alarms;
(3) The cause of the series of false alarms is repaired before it generates additional false alarms;
(4) Within 15 days after the end of the 72-hour common cause period, an alarm systems company duly licensed under Chapter 1702 of the Texas Occupations Code provides the police chief with documentation verifying the technical difficulty or malfunction that caused the series of false alarms, and that all necessary repairs have been completed;
(5) During the 30-day period following the repair, the alarm system generates no additional false alarms from the documented common cause; and
(6) There are no unpaid fees or penalties under this article due and owing from the permit holder.
(c) Application of section. This section shall not apply to:
(1) The same alarm site, alarm system, alarm subscriber or permit holder more than once in any 24-month period; or
(2) Non-permitted alarm systems.
(Ord. No. 08-387, § 2, 4-30-08; Ord. No. 2019-189, §§ 11, 12, 3-27-2019)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH11BUFIALPRSE_ARTIIIBUALPAALOTSIALSY_S11-69COCASEFAALFetched: 10/26/2026