Licensed Approval

Once your architectural plans and documents are approved, the next critical step is obtaining your Certificate of Occupancy (CO) from your local city authority. This certificate verifies that your Assisted Living Facility complies with all building codes, safety regulations, and zoning requirements, and that it is safe for residents and staff to occupy.

Here’s how the process works

City inspection and approval process for Assisted Living Facility designed by R2 Studios Architecture in Minnesota

ALF investor finalizing construction and licensing paperwork with R2 Studios Architecture support

Full-service permit and submission management for Assisted Living Facilities in Minnesota

City Inspection

After submitting your CO application, the city schedules an on-site inspection.
Inspectors verify that your facility meets all building, fire, and life-safety codes in compliance with the Minnesota State Building Code and Fire Code.

Provisional License

Once the inspection is passed and the CO is issued, the document is submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
At this stage, MDH grants a Provisional License (under Minnesota Statute 144G.16), allowing your facility to begin operations.

Final License

Within the first year, MDH conducts a follow-up survey to verify full compliance with Minnesota Statutes Chapter 144G.
If all requirements are met — including resident care, staffing, and safety — your provisional license is upgraded to a Full Assisted Living Facility License.

START YOUR LICENSING PROCESS

This step ensures that your facility is not only built to code but also approved for safe occupancy and ongoing compliance.