Group and Assisted Living Homes in Residential District

Review this page to find what you need to obtain your Certificate of Occupancy. 

Application

Download printable handout

Department of Behavioral Health & Development: Licensed Group Home

1. In order to receive a Certificate of Occupancy for a group home occupied by mentally ill, mentally retarded or developmentally disabled persons in a residential district, the following criteria must be met:

1. Eight (8) or fewer mentally ill, mentally retarded or developmentally disabled persons must live in the residential unit.
2. One or more resident counselors or other staff persons must reside in the residential unit.
3. A building permit issued by the Department of Development & Permits is required in order to initiate review and issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for a group home in a residential district.
4. A license from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services must be submitted as part of the application.*
5. A floor plan of the facility showing the location of all smoke detectors must be submitted as part of the application.
6. An inspection request must be submitted to the Building Official. Upon completion, and approval, the Certificate of Occupancy can be issued.

Department of Social Services: Licensed Assisted Living Home (4-8 Persons)

2. In order to receive a Certificate of Occupancy for a group home occupied by aged, infirm or
disabled persons in a residential district, the following criteria must be met:

1. Four (4) to eight (8) aged, infirm or disabled persons must live in the residential unit.
2. One or more resident counselors or other staff persons must reside in the residential unit.
3. A building permit issued by the Department of Development and Permits is required in order to
   initiate review and issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for a group home in a residential
   district.
4. A license from the Department of Social Services must be submitted as part of the permit
   application.*
5. A floor plan of the facility showing the location of all smoke detectors must be submitted as
   part of the application.
6. An inspection request must be submitted to the Building Official. Upon completion, and
   approval, the Certificate of Occupancy can be issued.

Department of Social Services: Licensed Assisted Living Home (3 or fewer Persons)

3. In order to receive a Certificate of Occupancy or other approvals for a group home occupied
by three (3) or fewer persons sixty-two (62) years of age or older in a residential district, the
following criteria must be met:

1. Three (3) or fewer persons at least sixty-two (62) years of age must reside in the residential
   structure.
2. A care provider must live in the structure with the elderly occupants.
3. The care provider must own or lease the residential structure. Proof of lease or ownership
   is required to be submitted with the application for a Certificate of Occupancy or other approval.*
4. If a Certificate of Occupancy is requested, a floor plan of the facility showing the location
   of all smoke detectors must be submitted as part of the application.
5. An inspection request must be submitted to the Building Official. Upon completion, and
   approval, the Certificate of Occupancy can be issued.

Required Documents

1. If the applicant is not the owner of the property they must provide:

Notarized permission from the property owner confirming that applicant can provide this type of
service at the proposed location.

2. If the applicant is the license holder they must
submit:

A copy of their current license.

3. If the applicant is not the license holder they must provide:

Written permission from the licensed company confirming that the applicant has permission to
provide services using the company’s license. This letter must be on letterhead from licensed
company. A copy of the current license must be submitted.

4. If the applicant is in the process of applying for their license from Virginia Department of
Behavioral Health and Development Services:

A letter from Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services addressed to the
City of Chesapeake, Department of Development & Permits stating that the applicant has made
application.

— and —

An affidavit stating the certificate of occupancy permit will only be valid if the required license is received from Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

5. Customer must have a layout of the dwelling with the exits, smoke detectors & bedroom sizes noted.

The Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance is available online.

For more information contact the Department of Development and Permits by phone, 757-382-6018, or email, permitsupport@cityofchesapeake.net.