How to Start an Adult Residential Facility (ARF) in California: Complete 2026 Guide

An Adult Residential Facility (ARF) is a licensed 24-hour residential care setting with requirements that depend on the people served, the services offered, the building, and—when applicable—the Regional Center service model.

What an ARF license covers

CDSS describes an ARF as a facility providing 24-hour nonmedical care and supervision to adults. The population can include people with mental, physical, or developmental disabilities; CDSS’s application guidance describes the usual age range as 18–59, with people age 60 and older covered under specified requirements. An ARF license does not authorize skilled nursing, and it does not automatically make a facility a Regional Center vendor.

Begin with the CDSS Centralized Applications Bureau process, the current CDSS forms list, and the applicable residential regulations. The law and the current agency forms—not a generic internet checklist—control.

Decisions to make before choosing a property

CDSS licensing steps

1. Complete the adult-care orientation. CDSS’s three-component system uses Component I online, Component II by phone or video, and Component III in person after the prelicensing inspection and before the license. The current orientation rules, technical requirements, access period, and fee are on CDSS’s online orientations page. The page currently lists $54.85 total for Component I ($50 plus $4.85 processing), subject to change.
2. Secure the applicant, property, and local approvals. CAB advises submitting when construction is complete, required local approvals are obtained, and startup funds are secured. Determine whether the proposed use needs a conditional-use permit or other local approval; CDSS licensure does not substitute for city or county approval.
3. Prepare the ARF administrator. CDSS currently lists a 35-hour initial ARF training program. The administrator must satisfy the current training, examination, certification, and clearance rules before taking the role. The normal sequence includes the exam within 60 days of initial training and a complete certification application within 30 days after passing, subject to the current CDSS procedures and any applicable exemption.
4. Prepare the Section A and B application packet. The LIC 281 instructions identify the core packet. Expect ownership documents, financial forms, staffing and job descriptions, background-clearance materials, the plan of operation/program description, emergency plan, facility sketch, policies, menu and activities, and fire-authority information. Use the current form edition, not a saved old checklist.
5. Complete fire and application review. Under 22 CCR §80020, community-care facilities must secure and maintain the required fire clearance. Additional clearance and notification rules can apply before accepting or retaining nonambulatory residents, and secured-perimeter settings have additional requirements.
6. Pass the inspection and correct deficiencies. The LPA evaluates the site, documents, staffing plan, program, and readiness. Correct every cited deficiency in the requested manner and timeframe. Completion of an inspection is not the same as issuance of the license.

ARF-specific safety and program issues

The plan of operation must describe what the facility will do and how it will do it. The current 22 CCR §80022 plan-of-operation rule addresses purposes and methods, admissions, organization, staffing and duties, training, building sketches, menus, transportation, rates and refunds, handling of money and property, consultants, community resources, and family communication. If residents need help with activities of daily living or have restricted health conditions, the plan must be consistent with the facility’s actual staff qualifications, training, and ability.

For an ARF, use the category-specific emergency plan form LIC 610D. Do not substitute RCFE’s LIC 610E simply because it appears on a general internet checklist. Confirm the current edition on CDSS’s forms page. Residential applicants should also check whether LIC 9282, the infection-control plan, is required for the application.

If you plan to serve Regional Center consumers

First obtain or maintain the CDSS license. Then follow the DDS vendorization process for the service type and site. Since March 1, 2026, DDS says Regional Centers use the Provider Directory for new vendorization applications, subject to stated exceptions. Vendorization verifies qualifications; it does not itself promise consumer referrals, placements, or a rate.

For the vendorization workflow and documents, read ARF Regional Center Vendorization Guide and ARF Program Design Guide.

ARF startup checklist

• Confirm the service population and service model before selecting the site.
• Check zoning, occupancy, construction, fire authority, accessibility, and any secured-perimeter issues.
• Complete the correct adult-care orientation and retain certificates.
• Confirm the ARF administrator’s current certification path and criminal-clearance status.
• Prepare a facility-specific plan of operation, staffing coverage, policies, emergency plan LIC 610D, sketch LIC 999, and infection-control plan LIC 9282 where applicable.
• Document startup funds, insurance, entity records, and all forms required by the current CAB packet.
• Apply to CDSS, respond promptly to the CAB/LPA, pass prelicensing, and complete Component III.
• If applicable, apply separately through DDS’s current Regional Center vendorization workflow.