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Group homes and residential care in Lake Forest

Residential care facilities that need the city license must be at least 300 feet from another residential care facility.

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Key points

  • Residential care: Residential care facilities that need the city license must be at least 300 feet from another residential care facility.

Each rule below links to the section of the Lake Forest Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Lake Forest's code says

Lake Forest code What Lake Forest's code adds
Homes for 7 or more
  • A City residential care facility license is required to operate.
    Applies: Applies to residential care facilities not exempt under subsection A; facilities of 6 or fewer persons are exempt when State or Federal law requires.
    § 5.44.010 · code text
    Unless exempt under subsection (A) above, an RCF license issued by the City is required to operate.
Homes for 6 or fewer
  • Exempt from this chapter. Treated as a residential use and a single family for Title 9 purposes.
    Applies: Applies to a residential care facility serving 6 or fewer persons, when required by State or Federal law.
    § 5.44.010 · code text
    Exempt from this chapter; and 2. Considered a residential use of property and a single family for purposes of Title 9 of this Code.
Distance between homes
  • At least 300 feet from another residential care facility.
    Applies: Applies to residential care facilities that need the city license.
    § 5.44.010 · code text
    No RCF may be established or operated in any location that is less than 300 feet from another RCF.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in Lake Forest?

Residential care facilities that need the city license must be at least 300 feet from another residential care facility.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Lake Forest property

Ask GoCodebook how Lake Forest's group homes and residential care rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Lake Forest Municipal Code — full text