What is a Community Residence?
A Community Residence is a home where 5 to 10 people with disabilities live together like a family. These homes help residents support each other while they work toward greater independence. Residents live normal daily lives—going to work or appointments, sharing meals, and helping with household chores, just like any family. Staff (if present) provide support but don’t provide intensive medical care.
Types of homes: Community Residences include sober living homes for people in recovery, small assisted living homes for seniors, and residential behavioral health homes. The goal is always to create a stable, family-like environment.
How they operate: Residents either govern themselves or are supervised by trained staff. The focus is on creating a supportive home environment, not a medical facility. Residents learn important life skills and receive encouragement from both housemates and staff.
Community integration: A key purpose of these homes is to help residents become part of the wider community. Research shows that well-managed Community Residences make good neighbors and don't affect property values or neighborhood safety.
Community Residences are NOT:
- A home with 4 or fewer unrelated people living together
- Any number of related family members living together
- Group homes specifically for people with developmental disabilities
- Assisted Living Centers (larger facilities)
- Convalescent Homes
- Shelters
- Group Foster Homes
- Boarding Homes
- Correctional Transitional Housing Facilities
Are Community Residences legal in residential neighborhoods?
Yes. There are two types of Community Residences:
- Family Community Residences: Allowed in the same areas as single-family and multi-family homes
- Transitional Community Residences: Allowed in multi-family areas, and may require a Conditional Use Permit in single-family areas
Neither type is allowed in Airport Overflight Areas One or Two.
Are these homes regulated?
Yes. Community Residences must:
- Register with the City of Mesa
- Renew their registration annually
- Have proper state licensing or certification
- In some areas, obtain a Conditional Use Permit
If a home loses its state license or certification, it must cease operations within 45 days.
How close can Community Residences be to each other?
To prevent too many Community Residences in one area, homes must be at least 1,200 feet apart from other Community Residences, Assisted Living Homes, or Assisted Living Centers. Exceptions may be granted in certain circumstances.
Will I be notified if a Community Residence opens in my neighborhood?
Public notice is only required if:
- The home needs a Conditional Use Permit
- The home has requested special accommodations
How can I check if a home is a registered Community Residence?
Contact the City of Mesa Planning Division:
What about other group living arrangements?
Other group arrangements have different requirements:
- Group homes for people with developmental disabilities: Follow state regulations and are treated like family homes
- Assisted Living Centers and Nursing Homes: Need Council Use Permit approval in specific zones
- Social Service Facilities and Shelters: Need Council Use Permit approval in specific zones
- Boarding Houses: Need county permits and Special Use Permit approval in specific zones
- Correctional Transitional Housing: Only allowed in certain industrial zones with Council Use Permit approval
- Group Foster Homes: Regulated by the state and treated like family homes
Why are Community Residences important?
These homes provide family-like environments that help residents:
- Support each other
- Learn skills for independent living
- Integrate into the community
- Receive necessary care in a residential setting
Medical treatment in these homes is incidental, just as it would be in any family home.