Licenses and Regulations for Sober Living Homes

In Huntington Beach, the city will deny permits to sober home operators who have been sober for less than a year. The state demanded that Encinitas take immediate steps to repeal its sober living law or face the loss of millions in housing funds and perhaps a legal battle with the Attorney General. For this reason, it is essential to ensure that your sober home does not offer any services that could be interpreted as an addiction treatment service. The bill would also prohibit any former owner of an addiction treatment center who lost their licenses from opening homes to live sober. Navigating the legal and regulatory landscape of sober living homes in California can be complex.

Property Management

This means they take advantage of people who are struggling to overcome their addictions, and that can lead people to relapse. However, nonprofit associations are beginning to offer rigorous accreditation and oversight for members. While membership is voluntary, such accreditation shows that the sober living home managers and owners care about the health and wellbeing of their residents. If a sober living home offers some type of regulated medical treatment, such as drug testing or therapy, then that aspect of the offerings must have the appropriate state licenses. Today, we’ll cover state funding restrictions and local nuisance lawsuits at the city and county level that might affect your sober living home business, depending on your location. Remember, a lot of these restrictions begin in one state and spread to other states.

How can I attract residents to my sober living home?

According to the NCBH, using these model guidelines can help reduce the administrative effort needed to create standards on the state or local level (NCBH/NARR, 2018). Mr. Way agrees that states are wise to accept input from organizations like PARR, which has been certifying recovery residences since 2011, in developing their own licensure programs (F. Way, personal communication, June 15, 2018). Sober living homes play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between structured inpatient treatment and independent living for individuals recovering from substance use disorders.

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This approach can provide a safe and supportive environment for residents who may face discrimination and stigma in other settings. You should have a system in place for maintaining the property, including landscaping, repairs, and maintenance. You should also ensure that all staff and residents are trained on how to properly care for the property.

• She points to the experience of Newport Beach, which more than a decade ago became the first city to draft rules for sober living homes.
• You should have fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors installed in your facility.
• An accountant can help you manage your finances, prepare taxes, and keep track of your expenses.

Tenants with sober livings shielded from NIMBY discrimination by their neighbors or even city authorities who don’t want recovering people are living nearby. A person’s disability, mental health condition, or substance use disorders cannot constitute a basis for unfair discrimination. While zoning is one thing that has to be considered when choosing a spot near an existing business.

Community-Based

Some sober-living operators who challenged these laws in court were awarded damages against the cities or other government entities Halfway house that tried to prevent them from operating. Accreditation for sober living homes is still a very new idea, but it is catching on quickly. Look for sober living homes that have state-licensed programs like therapy and drug testing, and also ask about compliance with national or state accreditation standards. Look around and make sure the home has detailed rules to maintain residency, and most importantly, check out the social support offered at the home.

• It’s important to set a fair price that covers your expenses while also being affordable for your residents.
• Through a combination of peer support, structured rules, and access to ongoing recovery resources, sober living homes contribute significantly to positive recovery outcomes, serving as a vital stepping-stone towards long-term sobriety and reintegration into society.
• Alcohol and substance abuse addiction is a cognizable “disability” for the purposes of both the FHA and ADA.
• These homes act as a supportive network, especially for those completing substance abuse treatment programs.

Introspection in Recovery

Sober Living Network, for example, has been accrediting homes in Southern California for more than 20 years. According to the DHCS, “If a sober living facility provides only one of these services, it must be classified as a residential program and must obtain a valid license from DHCS. Some sober living homes offer a highly structured environment that includes daily mash sober housing schedules, curfews, and mandatory meetings. This approach can be beneficial for residents who need structure and accountability.