Community Residential Home Program

PSL Neighborhoods aerial

Community Residential Homes are dwelling units licensed to serve residents who are clients of:

  • Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
  • Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)
  • Department of Elder Affairs
  • Department of Juvenile Justice
  • Department of Children & Families

These entities provide a living environment for unrelated persons who operate as a family including supervision and care by supportive staff as may be necessary to meet the residents' physical, emotional, and social needs.

Port St. Lucie has Community Residential Homes located in neighborhoods throughout the city that are required to register with the Neighborhood Services Department.  Florida law and the City of Port St. Lucie local ordinances require these homes meet distance requirements for operation.

It is the goal of the Neighborhood Services Department to help ensure that all residents living in Community Residential Homes in the City are being cared for by properly licensed CRH providers. 

CRH Infographic(PDF, 374KB)

Reserve A Community Residential Home

Did you know?

  • Failure to re-reserve a property or submit the required licenses may result in removal from the CRH map.
  • In the event a property owner would like to close or change ownership of a CRH facility, the property owner must submit a Termination Application(PDF, 110KB)  to CRH@cityofpsl.com.
  • Property owners should maintain contact with Neighborhood Services every 30 days if their licenses are under review by a state agency.
  • If a facility is operating on a month-to-month license agreement with the agency, this needs to be communicated with the Neighborhood Services Department.

Resources

City of Port St. Lucie Contacts

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to complete an application for a Reservation?

Community Residential Homes shall not be located within a 1,000 feet radius of another existing home with six or fewer residents. Reserving this location will ensure that another facility may not operate within the 1,000-foot radius. This process is first come, first served. If a facility is not licensed, it may reserve the location until the property obtains the correct licensing or until the reservation expires.

Why is there a 1,000-foot buffer between Community Residential Homes?

Per the State Statute, Sec 149.001- Section F – Homes of six or fewer residents which otherwise meet the definition of a Community Residential Homes shall be allowed in single-family or multifamily zoning without approval by the local government, provided that such homes are not located within a radius of 1,000 feet of another existing such home with six or fewer residents.

Who issues Community Residential Home Licenses?

The following state agencies that license CRH’s in Florida: Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), the Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Juvenile Justice, or the Department of Children & Families

Who determines the occupancy count for my facility? 

Our Building Department and the state licensing agency work together to determine that count.

Will I have a random inspection done on my property?

By applying for a Community Residential Home, the Applicant is agreeing to allow the City, at its sole discretion, to conduct an inspection to determine compliance with the Florida Building Code. 

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