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.

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 Resources

Know the Ordinance—Stay in Compliance

We strongly recommend that all boarding home operators become familiar with the City of Arlington’s Boarding Home Facility Ordinance. Understanding these regulations is essential to ensure your facility remains in compliance and provides safe, lawful care to residents.

Boarding Home Ordinance(PDF, 10MB)

To complete your permit application, you must get a background check from DPS (Texas Department of Public Safety) and email the full report to the Arlington Police Department. You are responsible for the cost and scheduling. Please note that any false or misleading information will result in automatic denial of your application. 

1. Go to the Texas Department of Public Safety
2. Select Crime Records
3. Select Fingerprinting Services
4. Select Texas Scheduling
5. This will direct you to the IdentoGO
6. Select FBI History Check
7. Select Schedule or Manage Appointment
8. Complete all required sections (Essential Information, Citizenship, Personal Information, etc..)
9. Select Personal Review (You will not need to enter an authorization code)
10. Schedule an appointment, bring your valid government issued identification 
11. Pay fee
12. Complete fingerprinting
13. Request a copy of your results and send to HealthPermits@ArlingtonTx.gov
14. Upload a copy of your results with your permit application at www.ArlingtonPermits.com

Need Help Gathering Your Documents?

Download and print our Boarding Home Permit Checklist to help you collect and organize all the required documentation for your application with the City of Arlington.

Boarding Home Permit Application Checklist(DOCX, 28KB)

Daily and Monthly Building & Grounds Safety Checklist

To help maintain a safe and sanitary environment for residents, operators should complete a daily inspection of the facility. Regular attention to these details helps ensure compliance with health and safety standards and promotes a comfortable living space for all residents. We’ve provided editable Word templates for essential documents such as daily building ground checklists, emergency procedures, sample plans of operation, and environmental checklists. These resources are designed to serve as examples that you can customize to fit the unique needs of your home and residents, ensuring compliance and safety while making operations smoother.

• Daily Building Grounds Safety Checklist(DOCX, 36KB)
• Monthly Environmental Health Checklist(DOCX, 40KB)
• Emergency Practices(DOCX, 28KB)
• Example Plan of Operation(DOCX, 48KB)