State resource guide

Virginia Recovery Houses & Sober Living: Resources & Directory

Find recovery residence and sober living resources for Virginia: the state certification law and regulation, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Office of Recovery Services, the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences directory, benefits, and organizations that serve Virginians in recovery. Browse the guide below or choose your county or city.

Open a home in Virginia Find homes by county

Last reviewed October 29, 2026Every resource links to its source

Virginia recovery house rules at a glance

Certifying agency: Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), Office of Recovery Services
State certification: Required for every recovery residence, each location separately (Va. Code 37.2-431.1)
Required credential: Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VARR), the state affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), or an Oxford House charter
Referrals: State agencies and courts may refer only to certified residences

Step by step

How to open a recovery house or sober living home in Virginia

Every recovery residence in Virginia must be certified by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), one application per location. First earn a credential from the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VARR) or an Oxford House charter, meet the square-footage standard, then apply to DBHDS. Operators still working toward accreditation can apply for conditional certification, which lasts six months and can be extended once.

The steps most new operators follow to open a recovery house in Virginia, in order. Each one links to the official form or rule behind it.

1
Check zoning with your county or city
Local requirement
Counties and cities set their own zoning and occupancy rules. Call your locality's zoning office before you sign a lease. The Fair Housing Act and Virginia's fair housing law protect people with disabilities, including people in recovery, from housing discrimination.
- The Fair Housing Act
- Virginia Fair Housing Office
2
Choose your credential: VARR or Oxford House
State requirement
Each location needs a credential from the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VARR), which accredits to the NARR standards, or an Oxford House charter before DBHDS will fully certify it.
- Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VARR)
- Oxford House, Inc.
3
Meet the square-footage standard
State requirement
The house must meet the square-footage standard of your credentialing entity or Va. Code 36-105.4, whichever is stricter. The DBHDS application asks for proof.
- 12VAC35-260 (certification of recovery residences)
4
Write your disclosures and house policies
State requirement
Prepare a disclosure for every prospective resident naming your credentialing entity and NARR level of support, or explaining that an Oxford House is self-governed and unstaffed. Don't require residents to use medical or psychological services the residence profits from, and don't advertise as certified until DBHDS certifies you.
- 12VAC35-260 (certification of recovery residences)
- Va. Code § 37.2-431.1 (recovery residences)
5
Apply to DBHDS for each location
State requirement
Submit DBHDS's online certification application with evidence of your credential and square-footage compliance, one application per location. If you have started accreditation but don't have your credential yet, apply for conditional certification instead.
- Information for Providers About Recovery Residences
- 12VAC35-260 (certification of recovery residences)
6
Finish accreditation during conditional certification
State requirement
Conditional certification lasts six months and can be extended once for 90 days, nine months at most. DBHDS checks in around the fifth month. You must have started accreditation and submitted, at minimum, policies and procedures to your credentialing body.
- Information for Providers About Recovery Residences
- 12VAC35-260 (certification of recovery residences)
7
Stay certified
State requirement
Keep your VARR credential or Oxford House charter current; each location must hold one and appear on the DBHDS certification list. Report deaths and serious injuries to DBHDS within 48 hours of discovery.
- Information for Providers About Recovery Residences
- 12VAC35-260 (certification of recovery residences)

Startup checklist

Call your county or city zoning office about group living rules
Choose VARR accreditation or an Oxford House charter
Check the house against the square-footage standard
Write the disclosure for prospective residents
Review your ads so they don't claim certification early
Submit DBHDS's certification application for each location
Apply for conditional certification if accreditation isn't finished
Calendar the conditional certification check-in and end date
Set up a 48-hour process for reporting deaths and serious injuries
Keep your credential current

Free launch consult

Opening your first house?

Talk it through with an operator for 30 minutes. We’ll go over your model, zoning, policies, and the license or certification you need, and you’ll leave with a clear next-step checklist.

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Licensing and certification

Recovery house requirements in Virginia

Virginia requires certification for all recovery residences under Va. Code 37.2-431.1 and 12VAC35-260. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Office of Recovery Services certifies each location, and each location needs a credential from the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VARR), the state affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), or an Oxford House charter. Operating uncertified, or advertising as certified when not, is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and state agencies and courts may refer only to certified residences.

State requirements, local requirements, and voluntary certification are labeled separately. Confirm how they apply to your home with the agency or qualified counsel.

State requirement

Recovery residence certification in Virginia

Under Va. Code 37.2-431.1 and 12VAC35-260, every recovery residence in Virginia must be certified by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), and each location is certified separately. Operating an uncertified residence, or advertising a residence as DBHDS-certified when it isn't, is a Class 1 misdemeanor. State agencies and courts may refer only to certified residences.

State requirement

Credential first, then DBHDS certification

Each location needs a credential from the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VARR) or an Oxford House charter. The DBHDS application includes evidence of that credential and compliance with the square-footage standard, either the credentialing entity's or Va. Code 36-105.4, whichever is stricter.

State requirement

Conditional certification

Operators working toward full accreditation can apply for conditional certification. It lasts six months and can be renewed once for three more months, nine months at most. DBHDS says applicants must have started accreditation and submitted, at minimum, policies and procedures to the credentialing body, and it checks in around the fifth month.

State requirement

Disclosures, resident protections and incident reports

Tell every prospective resident which entity credentialed the residence and its NARR level of support, or, for an Oxford House, that it is self-governed and unstaffed. A residence may not require residents to use medical or psychological services, including substance use treatment, that it profits from directly or indirectly. Report deaths and serious injuries to DBHDS within 48 hours of discovery.

Local requirement

Local zoning and fair housing

Counties and cities set their own zoning and occupancy rules. Check with your locality before opening. The federal Fair Housing Act and Virginia's fair housing law prohibit housing discrimination based on disability, and complaints can go to the Virginia Fair Housing Office or HUD.

Voluntary certification

Choosing VARR or Oxford House

A credential is required, but operators choose which one. The Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VARR), the state's NARR affiliate, accredits residences to the NARR standards using a social model of recovery. Oxford House, Inc. charters self-run, unstaffed Oxford Houses.

For residents and families

Finding and paying for sober living in Virginia

To find a recovery residence in Virginia, use the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VARR) statewide directory of accredited operators or Oxford House Vacancies for open Oxford House beds. Every Virginia recovery residence must be certified by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). 211 Virginia connects callers to local housing, food and health services.

Official directories for finding a licensed recovery house or sober living home, and programs that can help pay for a stay. Programs set their own eligibility, and funding or openings are never guaranteed. Contact each organization to confirm what it can offer.

Finding a recovery house or sober living home

Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VARR) · Virginia

VARR Statewide Directory & Recovery Residence Operators List

VARR's list of operators that run VARR-accredited recovery residences, with each operator's description, contact information, general location, and last on-site inspection date. VARR notes the list may not include every accredited operator.

804-593-1360; [email protected]

Checked by ARKHE Oct 28, 2026

Oxford House, Inc. · United States

Oxford House Vacancies

Search tool for open beds in Oxford Houses (self-run, self-supported recovery homes), filterable by state (including Virginia), county, and house type, with an online application.

Oxford House, Inc. (301) 587-2916; toll-free (800) 689-6411

Checked by ARKHE Oct 26, 2026

Oxford House, Inc. · United States

Oxford House, Inc.

Nonprofit that charters democratically run, self-supported Oxford House recovery homes, where residents split expenses equally and there is no house manager.

(301) 587-2916; (800) 689-6411

Checked by ARKHE Oct 26, 2026

Help paying for sober living or a recovery house

Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) · Virginia

Indigent Bed Funding contract recipients (July 2026 to June 2027)

DBHDS's page for recovery residence providers links its list of Indigent Bed Funding contract recipients for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. The list includes Oxford House as well as other recovery residence operators. The page doesn't give the payment rate or say how to apply, so residents should ask a home run by a listed operator whether it has indigent bed funding, and operators can send questions to DBHDS at [email protected].

[email protected]

Checked by ARKHE Oct 29, 2026

Treatment and referral navigation

Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) · Virginia

Cover Virginia: Apply for Medicaid

The state's site for applying for Medicaid and other health coverage, with application options and in-person and phone application help across Virginia.

1-855-242-8282; TTY 1-888-221-1590

Checked by ARKHE Oct 28, 2026

211 Virginia (with the Virginia Department of Social Services) · Virginia

211 Virginia

Free, confidential referral service connecting Virginians to housing, food, health care and other community resources, with an online resource search available 24/7.

Dial 2-1-1; text CONNECT to 247211; live help Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm ET

Checked by ARKHE Oct 28, 2026

Recovery community organizations

Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia · Virginia

SAARA of Virginia (Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia)

Statewide organization that advocates for, educates, and supports individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use disorder.

804-762-4445; [email protected]

Checked by ARKHE Oct 28, 2026

Employment and education

Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) · Virginia

For Individuals (Vocational Rehabilitation)

DARS vocational rehabilitation helps people with disabilities prepare for, find and keep a job, with career exploration, job readiness, job search and on-the-job support. Apply with the online form or through a local office; people can refer themselves.

1-800-552-5019; TTY 1-800-464-9950

Checked by ARKHE Oct 29, 2026

Funding

Recovery house grants and funding in Virginia

In Virginia, the state budget sets aside $1,950,000 a year in fiscal years 2027 and 2028 for grants to recovery residences certified by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), for recovery support services. DBHDS also posts its list of Indigent Bed Funding contract recipients for July 2026 to June 2027, which includes Oxford House, so residents can ask a home run by a listed operator whether it has indigent bed funding. Opioid settlement money from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) goes to cities, counties and state agencies, so operators bring recovery housing projects to their locality rather than applying to the OAA themselves. In Northern Virginia, the Chris Atwood Foundation's recovery housing grants help residents with move-in costs and rent.

Grants and public programs that can pay operators or cover residents’ stays. Public funding often requires a state license or certification, and every program sets its own eligibility and timeline, so confirm details with the agency.

Grants and funding programs

Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) · Virginia

Opioid Abatement Authority grants for cities and counties

The OAA grants opioid settlement money to cities, counties and state agencies, either to one locality (Individual Distribution) or to a partnership of localities (Cooperative Partnership). Operators don't apply to the OAA themselves: bring a recovery housing project to your city or county, which applies through the OAA Grants Portal. FY2028 new applications for both grant types are due March 2, 2027.

[email protected]

Checked by ARKHE Oct 28, 2026

Virginia General Assembly (Appropriation Act, 2026 Special Session I, HB30 Chapter 1) · Virginia

State budget grants to DBHDS-certified recovery residences (Item 300 J, FY2027-FY2028)

Virginia's current state budget sets aside $1,950,000 a year in FY2027 and FY2028 for grants from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to DBHDS-certified recovery residences for recovery support services. Only certified residences can receive these grants. Grantees sign an agreement with DBHDS and send it financial and operational reports every month. The budget also lets DBHDS use a bidding process to spread recovery residences across the state, so get certified and contact DBHDS to ask how and when the funds are given out.

Published or revised 2026 · Checked by ARKHE Oct 29, 2026

USDA Rural Development · Virginia

Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program in Virginia

Low-interest loans and grants to buy, build, or improve essential facilities, including transitional housing, in rural areas of 20,000 people or fewer. Open to public bodies, community-based nonprofits and federally recognized tribes, not for-profit operators. Applications are accepted year round; contact the Virginia Rural Development state office first.

Checked by ARKHE Oct 28, 2026

Public payment and scholarships for residents’ stays

Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) · Virginia

Indigent Bed Funding contract recipients (July 2026 to June 2027)

[email protected]

Checked by ARKHE Oct 29, 2026

The Chris Atwood Foundation (CAF) · Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Arlington, Alexandria), VA

Recovery Housing Grants

A grant that covers initial move-in costs and rent at an Oxford House or another private recovery residence. Applicants must live in Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Arlington or Alexandria, be in active recovery, and already be accepted into a house. Apply with the online form on this page; Fairfax-Falls Church CSB clients should ask their case worker to complete the CSB recovery housing scholarship application.

[email protected]; main office 703-653-4221

Checked by ARKHE Oct 29, 2026

Official documents

Virginia recovery house forms, regulations, and agency pages

Each entry shows who issued it, where it applies, and when we last checked the source.

Opening a home

Virginia General Assembly (Virginia Law Library) · Virginia

Va. Code § 37.2-431.1 (recovery residences)

The state law requiring recovery residences to be certified by DBHDS. It makes operating uncertified, or advertising as certified when not, a Class 1 misdemeanor and bars residences from requiring residents to use services the residence profits from.

Published or revised Oct 1, 2026 · Checked by ARKHE Oct 8, 2026

Virginia Association of Recovery Residences · Virginia

Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VARR)

Virginia's affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) and a credentialing entity for DBHDS certification. It accredits recovery residences using the NARR standards and a social model of recovery.

804-593-1360; [email protected]

Checked by ARKHE Oct 28, 2026

Operating requirements

Virginia General Assembly (Virginia Administrative Code) · Virginia

12VAC35-260 (certification of recovery residences)

The DBHDS regulation for certifying recovery residences: the application and credential requirements, square-footage compliance, conditional certification, 48-hour reporting of deaths and serious injuries, and required disclosures to prospective residents.

Published or revised Jan 14, 2026 · Checked by ARKHE Oct 8, 2026

Inspections and applications

Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), Office of Recovery Services · Virginia

Information for Providers About Recovery Residences

DBHDS's page for recovery residence operators, with the online certification and conditional certification applications, the current list of certified residences, and an explanation of conditional certification tiers.

[email protected]; (804) 786-3921

Checked by ARKHE Oct 28, 2026

Zoning and fair housing

Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) · Virginia

Virginia Fair Housing Office

Virginia's office for investigating housing discrimination complaints under the state fair housing law, which bars denying housing opportunities to people with disabilities. File a written complaint within one year of the discriminatory practice.

804-367-8530; 888-551-3247

Checked by ARKHE Oct 28, 2026

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division · United States

The Fair Housing Act

DOJ's overview of the federal Fair Housing Act, which bars disability discrimination in housing and bars local governments from using zoning or land use rules to exclude group homes for people with disabilities.

Published or revised Jun 22, 2023 · Checked by ARKHE Oct 26, 2026

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) · United States

Report Housing Discrimination

HUD's page for reporting housing discrimination under the federal Fair Housing Act.

Checked by ARKHE Oct 26, 2026

Common questions

Virginia recovery house and sober living FAQ

Do I need a license to open a sober living home in Virginia?

Virginia calls it certification, and it is required. Every recovery residence must be certified by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) under Va. Code 37.2-431.1 and 12VAC35-260, one application per location. Operating without certification is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

How do I get a recovery residence certified in Virginia?

Earn a credential from the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences (VARR) or an Oxford House charter, make sure the house meets the square-footage standard, and submit DBHDS's online certification application for each location with evidence of both. Questions go to the DBHDS Office of Recovery Services at [email protected] or (804) 786-3921.

What is conditional certification for Virginia recovery residences?

Conditional certification lets an operator who has started accreditation, and submitted at least policies and procedures to the credentialing body, operate while finishing. It lasts six months and can be extended once for three months, nine months in total.

Can I advertise my Virginia sober living home before it's certified?

You may not advertise a residence as DBHDS-certified unless it is certified; doing so is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Every prospective resident must also be told which entity credentialed the residence and its NARR level of support, or that an Oxford House is self-governed and unstaffed.

Can Virginia courts and state agencies refer people to my recovery residence?

Only if it is certified. State agencies and courts in Virginia may refer only to DBHDS-certified recovery residences.

How do I list my recovery residence in this guide for free?

Request a free listing. You choose what it shows, such as who the home serves and its credential and certification. The street address is shown only if you want it to be. Listing never requires ARKHE software.

Nearby state guides

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Virginia recovery house rules at a glance

How to open a recovery house or sober living home in Virginia

Check zoning with your county or city

Choose your credential: VARR or Oxford House

Meet the square-footage standard

Write your disclosures and house policies

Apply to DBHDS for each location

Finish accreditation during conditional certification

Stay certified

Startup checklist

Opening your first house?