Boarding Home Facility Inspection Program

A Boarding Home Facility is a residential business that:

Offers lodging for three or more elderly individuals or persons with disabilities who are not related to the owner by blood or marriage and provides a variety of services, such as:

• Community meals
• Light housework
• Meal preparation
• Transportation
• Grocery shopping
• Money management
• Laundry services

• Assistance with self-administration of medication

Boarding Home Facilities provide a residential environment for persons who may not need the structure or staffing of a medical institution but do need support that they would not have if they were living alone. 

The following facilities may be exempt from this ordinance, based on state code definitions or licensing requirements:

• Home and Community Support Services licensed by the State
• Convalescent and Nursing Homes and related institutions licensed by the State
• Continuing Care Facilities licensed by the State
• Assisted Living Facilities licensed by the State
• Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability licensed by the State
• Certain Home Health, Hospice, or Personal Assistance Services funded and monitored by the State
• Well-recognized Religious Establishments that provide care exclusively through prayer or spiritual means for healing
• Certain Facilities Funded and Monitored by MHMR of Tarrant County
• A Hotel
• A Retirement Community
• A Monastery or Convent
• A Childcare Facility
• A Family Violence Shelter
• A Fraternity or Sorority House, or other dormitories associated with institutions of higher education

Boarding homes are often referred to by other names, including Group Homes, Community Homes, or Residential Homes. They may also be considered a form of Assisted Living Facility (ALFs) or a Residential Facility for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ICFs/IID).

What information do I need? 

• Resident Contract / Operational Policies / Service Agreements / Example Forms: Boarding home's operational policies and tenant agreements that describe services. house rules, and procedures. 
• Driver's License of Owners / Operators / Employees / Volunteers: Valid copy of government-issued photo ID for each owner, operator, employee, and volunteer.
• List of Owners / Operators / Employees / Volunteers: List with the names, roles, and contact information of all owners, operators, and employees affiliated with the boarding home.
• Entity Documents: LLC, corporation, or other legal entity, please submit proof of registration and entity documents (e.g., Articles of Incorporation).
• Property Rental Agreement / Proof of Home Ownership: Current rental or lease agreement that shows you have the legal right to operate a boarding home at the proposed location. If you own the property, submit a tax billing statement or TAD document.
• Criminal History Check for Owner(s): Criminal history report for all owners, employees, and volunteers.
• Floor Plan: A detailed floor plan of the boarding home showing room layouts, exits, and common areas.
• Employee Handbook: Handbook or training documents that provide employees with guidelines, expectations, and rules for caregiving, managing the home, and responding to emergency situations.

   

How do I apply?

ArlingtonPermits.com

1. Once logged in, select APPLY to submit your application and pay fees
2. The application and supporting documents will be reviewed for completeness and acceptability.
3. Once the application is approved, an inspection of your facility will be scheduled.
4. Upon successful completion of the inspection, your permit will be issued.

Helpful Checklist and Resources

•  Boarding Home Permit Checklist(DOCX, 28KB)
• Boarding Home Background Check Instructions(PDF, 168KB)
• Background Check for Employees Instructions(PDF, 172KB)

Are there other required inspections?

Yes. In addition to health and sanitation inspections, the following inspections are required:

• Gas pipe pressure test once every three years by the local gas company or a licensed plumber
• Annual inspection and maintenance of fire extinguishers by personnel licensed or certified to perform these duties
• HVAC/furnace cleaned and certified annually by a licensed HVAC technician
• Annual cleaning and inspection of all wood burning fireplaces  

Properties must be maintained in compliance with all other city ordinances.  

What are the fees?

• Initial Boarding Home Facility Application Fee:  $500
• Initial Boarding Home Facility Inspection Fee:  $1,500
• Annual Boarding Home Facility Inspection for Renewal Fee:  $1,200
• Additional Building Fee on the property used as a Boarding Home Facility:  $50
• If needed, Boarding Home Facility Reinspection Fee:  $200
• Reinstatement Fee, if the Renewal Fee is not paid prior to permit expiration:  $125
• Service Fee for any revisions to an existing permit:  $25

How often does my permit need to be renewed?

A permit to operate a boarding home facility expires one year from the date of issuance. A renewal invoice will be sent to you one month before your permit’s expiration. 

If I move my boarding home facility to a different property or add more properties, will my permit transfer?

No. Permits are location and operation specific, so they are not transferrable.  Each property must obtain its own permit. 

If I sell my boarding home facility to another operator, who intends to continue running the boarding home facility, will that permit transfer?

No. As permits are location and operation specific, this pertains to who is responsible for the permitted operation, so a new owner would require a new permit. The existing permit would not be transferrable.

Where can I find the requirements for the construction, maintenance, and operation of a Boarding Home Facility?

Article IV of the Boarding Home Facility Ordinance(PDF, 10MB)

What kind of health and sanitation inspections are done of Boarding Home Facilities?

• Permitting Inspections
• Routine Inspections
• Follow-Up Inspections
• Complaint Inspections

Are Boarding Home Facility Inspections announced or unannounced?

Permitting Inspections and certain types of Follow-up Inspections may be announced or scheduled.  All other types of inspections are unannounced.  Unannounced inspections allow the inspectors to observe the Boarding Home Facility in the normal mode of operation. 

How should I prepare for an inspection? 

Owners, Operators, and staff should familiarize themselves with the Boarding Home Facility Ordinance.  Establishing operational policies, maintaining managerial oversights, training staff, keeping well organized records, and carrying out daily self-checks are all ways to be prepared for inspections.  

Wellness information for people with disabilities and/or elderly individuals.

Helpful Documents

• Example-Plan-of-Operation.pdf(PDF, 150KB)
• Monthly-Environmental-Health-Checklist.pdf(PDF, 139KB)
• Daily-Building-Grounds-Safety-Checklist.pdf(PDF, 109KB)
• Emergency-Practices.pdf(PDF, 661KB)

Helpful Links:

City of Arlington Boarding Home Ordinance

Wellness Resources