Public Safety Ordinances
Alarm Permits
All business and residential alarms that can emit an audible/visual signal or that is monitored by an outside service provider with the intention to summon police or fire services must have a City of Alamo Heights Alarm System Permit issued. Responsibility for obtaining an Alarm System Permit is the alarm system user. Operating an alarm system without a City of Alamo Heights permit may result in a Municipal Court citation being issued. Alarm permit applications can be either downloaded or obtained from the Police Department Administrative Office located at City Hall, 6116 Broadway.
| Alarm system permit fees | |
|---|---|
| Residential Alarms: | |
| $50.00 | initial permit fee |
| $24.00 | annual renewal fee |
| Non-Residential Alarms: | |
| $50.00 | initial permit fee |
| $25.00 | for each additional location (ATM, storage building, etc) |
| $50.00 | annual renewal fee |
All Residential and Business Alarm System Permits must be renewed annually by submitting an updated Alarm Permit Application Form. If the permit holder moves, they are responsible for contacting the Police Department to cancel the permit.
When alarm activation occurs, officers will conduct a visual inspection of the exterior and/or, if access is available, the interior of the premises to determine the validity of the alarm activation. Alarm permit holders will be charged a fee for excessive false alarm responses occurring during a twelve-month period.
| Fee schedule for false residential burglar alarms | |
|---|---|
| 1 - 3 false burglar alarms | no fee |
| 4 - 5 false burglar alarms | $50.00 fee per false alarm activation |
| 6 - 7 false burglar alarms | $75.00 fee per false alarm activation |
| 8 + false burglar alarms | $100.00 fee per false alarm activation |
The fee schedule for false non-residential burglar alarms is the same as listed above.
| Fee for false robbery alarm activations | |
|---|---|
| first false alarm | No fee |
| 2 - 3 false robbery alarms | $100.00 per false robbery alarm activation |
| 4th false robbery alarm | $150.00 per false robbery alarm activation |
| 5 + false robbery alarms | $250.00 per false robbery alarm activation |
Overnight Parking on Public Streets
It is prohibited by City Code to park or store cars, trucks, tractors, and other vehicles on any paved street between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.
Any person owning or occupying residential premises may obtain a temporary overnight parking permit for visitors or persons temporarily staying in such premises upon written application made and filed with the Police Department prior to the time such automobiles or other vehicles are parked on the street. Permits will not exceed thirty days, and no more than three (3) permits will be issued for any premises during any calendar year. The permit must be displayed on the automobile when parked on the streets of the city between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.
A permit can be issued for the following reasons:
- That the premises does not have adequate space for the parking of automobiles of persons temporarily visiting or occupying such premises.
- That the person making such application cannot without undue hardship obtain off-street parking facilities on a temporary basis for such vehicles within the vicinity of such property. The determination of hardship is governed by the standards set out in section 18-102 of the City Code.
For more information about temporary parking permits, please contact the Police Administrative Office at (210) 822-6433.
Parking of Large Motor Vehicles, Boats and Construction Vehicles
It is prohibited to park any large motor vehicle, boat or construction vehicle on a city street in a residential district of the city except as authorized in sections 18-132 and 18-133 of the City Code. Large motor vehicles are defined as any motor vehicle or boat greater than twenty-two (22) feet in length or seven (7) feet in height and all construction vehicles. It is also prohibited to use a motor vehicle or boat in a residential district of the city for dwelling, sleeping, business, or entertainment purposes, or to connect a motor vehicle or boat to sanitary sewer facilities.
The following are exceptions to the limitations imposed on the parking of large motor vehicles:
- A resident may park a large motor vehicle in the front or side yard of a residence for not more than six (6) hours each time for the limited purposes of loading and unloading passengers, supplies, freight and/or merchandise.
- A guest or visitor of a resident may park a large motor vehicle in the front or side yard of a resident's residence for not more than seven (7) days during any calendar month.