A facility providing/offering personal services for fewer than four (4) adults is NOT required to be licensed as an Adult Family Care Home or Assisted Living Facility in the State of Florida. Those caring for three (3) or fewer adults that do not hold themselves out to be a business by advertising or soliciting the public for residents do not require local (county or city) licensing, zoning, or building approval.

Adult Family-Care Homes:

Residential facilities that provide housing, food service, and one or more personal services for up to five (5) persons who are disabled or aged. This category does not include those with acute mental illness or alcohol or drug abuse. The provider lives in the home with the residents.

Assisted Living Facilities:

Residential facilities that provide housing, food service, and one or more personal services for four (4) or more persons over the age of 18.

Boarding homes:

Provide just room and board (housing and meals). And do not provide personal services. Boarding homes must be approved by Zoning, Fire Safety, and Building.

Please contact the Zoning Division at 561-233-5200, for other applicable codes, such as: Accessory and associated land uses, Drop-off areas, Signs

NOTE: Assisted Living Facilities of six (6) or fewer residents that are not within 1000 feet of another facility and facilities that are located in multi-family districts and not within 1200 feet of another facility, are not required to meet city or county zoning regulations, however, any facility (business) that advertises, and is consistent with the LIVING FACILITY description, whether one (1) or more, requires city and\or county licensing, fire safety inspections, and may require building inspections.

Although a facility may not be required to meet the local zoning regulations, the Zoning Division at 100 Australian, West Palm Beach, 4th Floor must sign the application prior to the required fire safety and building inspections.

NOTE: When a facility (single or multi-family structure) houses 6 or more occupants on a 24 hour basis, whether it is or is not required by the State to meet local Zoning requirements, it is a change in occupancy by definition of the Southern Standard Building Code. Such occupancies may be required to meet R-1 (Hotel\Motel), R-2 (Multiple Dwellings), or Institutional Classification pursuant to the code.

A change in occupancy requires a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) issued by the Building Division, and may require plan submittal, review, and building permits. Please contact Roland Holt, P.E. of the Building Division at (561) 233-5197 as part of the application process.

1. Tax Assessor's General Application (completed)

2. Licensed by Health Care Administration

3. $30 fee receipt for zoning signature

4. Business Receipt Tax Tax ( for fee call 561-355-2272)

5. Required Fire Safety inspection (233-0050)

6. Required Code Compliance inspection (233-5500)