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Council adopts ordinance regulating recovery residences (sober homes) and allows local application fee
Summary
On second reading the council unanimously adopted ordinance 2026‑01 establishing local code for recovery residences (sober homes), creating an application, certification and appeal process and authorizing a local processing fee that differs from neighboring jurisdictions.
The City Council unanimously approved ordinance 2026‑01 on second reading, creating local rules for recovery residences—commonly referred to as sober homes—and establishing application, reasonable‑accommodation, certification and appeal procedures in the city code. The ordinance also authorizes the city to add an application fee in the fee schedule, a step city staff said they delayed until tonight to finalize the fee amount.
City Attorney Mister Carey explained the ordinance creates sections of the code to define the purpose of recovery residences, set application and approval standards, require annual certification and provide for revocation and appeals. He told council the draft drew on state statute and common provisions in ordinances adopted elsewhere in Florida, and noted differences with Melbourne, which chose not to charge a processing fee.
Councilmember Mister Francis moved to approve second reading as written; Mister Gaylord seconded and the motion passed 7–0.
What passed: Ordinance 2026‑01 (creating local code sections related to recovery residences and authorizing related fees). The ordinance includes procedural safeguards for applicants and sets up enforcement and certification steps to implement state requirements locally.
Next steps: Staff will add the processing fee to the municipal fee schedule and implement application flow and annual certification processes described in the ordinance.
