Our guidelines
House Rules
Clear, caring expectations keep our homes safe and supportive for everyone. Ours aren't about restriction — they're about building a life that lasts.
Why we have rules
A sober home only works when every resident can trust the space they live in. These guidelines protect your recovery, your neighbors' recovery, and the peaceful feel of the house you'll call home.
Absolute sobriety
Zero tolerance for drugs or alcohol — in the house, on the property, or with you when you return.
Random sobriety check-ins
Residents submit to random and scheduled drug and alcohol screening. It keeps the home safe and everyone accountable to their recovery.
Participation in a recovery program
Weekly house meetings are where we check in, solve problems together, and celebrate each other.
Participation in recovery
Residents participate in recovery meetings, therapy sessions or counseling in order to heal and grow as an individual.
Work, school, or volunteering
Every resident maintains employment, enrolls in school, or volunteers in the community. Purpose is part of the recovery.
Assigned chores
Every resident completes their assigned daily and weekly chores. A clean home is a calm home, and we all take pride in our space.
Adhere to the house curfew
Weeknight and weekend curfews keep the household on a healthy rhythm. Late passes can be arranged with the house manager ahead of time.
Respect all housemates and staff
Kindness is non-negotiable. Disrespect, stealing, violence, threats, or harassment of any kind leads to immediate review of residency.
Keep your space clean
Each resident keeps their personal space clean and tidy, and everyone shares in keeping the common areas welcoming.
No guests policy
No guest/visitors may come in the home including in common areas, unless exceptions of case managers, parole officers, and/or sponsors. Permitted exceptions will only be approved in advance by house manager. Overnight guests aren't permitted.
General house rules
These day-to-day guidelines keep the home respectful, private, and running smoothly for every resident.
Respect personal space and property
Never use another resident's belongings without permission or walk into another resident's room without permission.
No Pets on the property
No pets are permitted on the property due to the allergies and safety of the other residence.
No loitering
Loitering in the front yard is not permitted including people and cars. Rides must not be waiting in front for more than 10 minutes.
Utilities off
Utilities are to be turned off when not in use or in the room including lights, tv's, fans etc.
Do not share codes
Sharing of codes with other resident's to rooms, lockers, and/or entry ways are strictly prohibited.
Bedroom doors locked
Bedroom doors are to remain locked when coming and going into room for the safety and privacy of roommates.
Appropriate Dress
Residents are required to be in full clothing at all times. Restrooms are the only permitted area for changing.
Personal item spaces
Personal items such as clothes, bags, hats, etc. must only be stored in room or personal locker at all times.
Shared spaces schedule
Backyard/Exercise areas open from 5AM-9PM daily. Kitchen is open from 6AM-9PM daily. TV/Game areas open from 8AM-8PM daily.
Property access hours
Curfew to come home everyday will be 10PM You can leave the property as early as 5AM Quiet Hours 10PM-8AM daily
Exceptions for work
24-HR advanced notice is required for all approved work schedules, with proof ending after curfew policy.
Locked up
All medications, devices, electronics, and personal items of value can be stored and locked up when not in use. Any items left unsupervised will not be the responsibility of staff or house manager.
Substance policy
Our substance policy is the backbone of a sober home — it's what makes the house a safe place to recover.
Smoking policy
Smoking of any kind is prohibited on or around the property.
Alcohol strictly prohibited
Alcohol is strictly prohibited on and off the property while you are a resident.
Medication
All medications including over the counter meds are never shared between residents. Any needles need to be properly disposed of in disposal container.
No unprescribed drugs
Only prescribed medications are permitted — unprescribed drugs are strictly prohibited.
Cleanliness standards
A clean home is a shared responsibility — these standards keep the house comfortable and healthy for everyone.
Proper trash disposal
Trash in kitchen needs to be emptied each night and replaced with brand new bags after kitchen closes. All bathroom/room trash must be disposed of every other day.
Clean kitchen after use
Dishes and utensils used for cooking/preparing a meal are to be rinsed and placed in dish washer after every use. Dishwasher is to be started once filled. No dishes left in the sink or on counters. Counters are to be wiped down and floors are to be swept after each meal time.
Bathroom cleanup required
Everyone cleans up after themselves in the bathroom and leaves it ready for the next person. Bathrooms will be deep cleaned twice per week.
Bedrooms must be orderly
Bedrooms must stay orderly, with beds made and personal items put away daily. Floors, walls, and baseboards will be wiped down and cleaned once per week.
Food only in the kitchen
Food is kept and eaten in the kitchen or backyard eating area only. No food is to be stored or eaten in bedrooms at anytime. Residents will have assigned shelf and refrigerator shelf for storing food.
Clean up mess
If you drop, break, or spill something, messes are to be cleaned up immediately. Keep floors and counters safe and clean for the next person's use.
Laundry rules
A few simple habits keep the laundry room clean and running smoothly for everyone in the house
Assigned Times
Every resident will be given an assigned time and day to use the laundry room. Please be respectful of fellow residents by sticking to your assigned slot.
Laundry Room Cleanliness
Leave the laundry room clean — clean the lint trap after every use of dryer, wipe down machines after all laundry is complete, sweep floors as needed, and remove all personal items from laundry area once finished.
Only wash your own clothes
Wash only your own clothes — never another resident's laundry.
No feces-soiled items in machines
No feces-soiled items are washed in the house machines under any circumstances. Residents are to check and empty pockets before washing clothing.
Behavioral expectations
Mutual respect is the foundation of life here — these expectations keep the house safe and supportive for every resident.
No aggression or violence
Aggression or violence of any kind is not tolerated — toward housemates, staff, or anyone on the property.
No offensive language
Offensive language is not permitted in the home.
No lending or borrowing or gambling
Residents do not lend to or borrow items of value, money, make bets, or gamble on the property with one another.
No inappropriate behavior
Romantic advances or gestures toward staff are strictly prohibited. Inappropriate comments and/or sexual harassment toward staff and/or other residents is strictly prohibited and could cause immediate resident review.
Bedroom policies
Your room is your personal space — a few simple policies keep it private, safe, and well cared for.
Respect others spaces
Residents never enter another resident's room. All social conversations take place in common areas. No sharing or exchanging beds with other residents, you are to keep yourself as well as belonging on your bed only.
Mattress bedding must stay on
Mattress bedding must stay on at all times to protect every resident's health and comfort.
Doors closed at all times
Bedroom doors stay closed at all times for privacy and fire safety.
Rooms subject to inspection
Rooms are subject to inspection at any time to keep the home safe and orderly.
Personal hygiene
Good personal hygiene keeps shared living comfortable and dignified for everyone in the home.
Proper disposal of hygiene products
Hygiene and/or feminine products are disposed of properly and never to be left in shared spaces.
Regular bathing required and oral hygiene
Regular bathing is required of every resident. Daily oral hygiene is part of the routine here.
Lice Policy
No residents are allowed to live in the home with an on-going lice infestation.
No offensive odors
Residents are expected to stay free of offensive odors out of respect for their housemates.
Safety protocols
A few simple protocols keep the property safe and running smoothly for everyone who lives here.
No loitering in the front yard
The back patio is the designated spot for gatherings — the front yard stays clear, with no loitering.
Doors stay closed and locked
All entry and exit doors must remain closed and locked at all times.
Prohibited items
Weapons, illegal drugs, paraphernalia, and unauthorized substances are never allowed on the property.
Keep walkways clear
Walkways stay free of clutter — no trip hazards anywhere on the property.
Clean spills immediately
Spills are cleaned up immediately, and a "Wet Floor" sign is placed until the area is dry.
Sign in and out
All residents sign in and out whenever they leave or return to the property.
How the house runs
A calm, orderly home doesn't happen by accident — it's built on a few simple routines that everyone shares.
The house manager
Every home has a house manager — a steady, experienced presence who oversees check-ins, approves visitors, coordinates the chore rotation, and is the first person to talk to about anything on your mind.
Chore rotation
Chores rotate weekly so the work is shared evenly — kitchens, bathrooms, common areas, and grounds. A clean home is a calm home, and pride in your space is part of rebuilding.
Weekly house meetings
Once a week, the whole house gathers to check in, solve problems together, plan the week ahead, and celebrate wins — big and small. Attendance is part of life here.
Curfew and late passes
Weeknight and weekend curfews keep the household on a healthy rhythm. Need to be out late for work or a family obligation? Arrange a late pass with the house manager ahead of time.
Rules with a reason
Every rule exists to protect the safety, sobriety, and dignity of everyone in the home. By joining Grace Lives Here, you agree to abide by these guidelines to support your own recovery and that of your housemates. If you ever have questions, house staff are always glad to talk it through.
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