Virginia regulates assisted living through the Department of Social Services, not its health department, and that one fact explains a lot: why there is no star rating, why the key document is a social-services assessment form, and why the local DSS office is involved in so many decisions. These guides walk through the rules that actually change a family's choices.
Who licenses assisted living facilities in Virginia?
The Virginia Department of Social Services' Division of Licensing Programs licenses and inspects assisted living facilities under Title 63.2 of the Code of Virginia and the State Board of Social Services' standards at 22VAC40-73, while nursing homes are licensed separately by the Virginia Department of Health.
Va. Code ยง 63.2-100 defines an assisted living facility as a congregate residential setting that provides or coordinates personal and health care services, 24-hour supervision and scheduled and unscheduled assistance for four or more adults who are aged, infirm or disabled.
VDSS's licensing-office list places New Kent and Charles City counties with the Peninsula adult-programs office, while the rest of the Richmond area falls under the Central and Eastern regions; every office uses the 5600 Cox Road, Glen Allen mailing address.
How often are Richmond-area assisted living facilities inspected?
Assisted living facilities holding a one-, two- or three-year license are inspected at least once a year, unannounced; facilities on a six-month license are inspected at least twice in that period, at least once unannounced (22VAC40-80).
VDSS posts inspection results to its public website within five business days of the facility receiving the inspection summary or violation notice, and the most recent inspection findings must be posted inside the facility. Complaints can trigger additional, unannounced inspections.
Guides to Virginia's rules
Residential living care vs assisted living care in Virginia
Virginia licenses assisted living facilities for two levels of care -- residential living and assisted living -- set by the Uniform Assessment Instrument. What each covers in Richmond.
Read →The Uniform Assessment Instrument (UAI) in Virginia
The UAI decides whether a Richmond-area resident qualifies for residential or assisted living care, and whether an Auxiliary Grant applicant fits a facility. Who completes it and when.
Read →Special care units: how Virginia regulates memory care
How Virginia regulates memory care: special care units, the serious cognitive impairment test, staffing ratios by shift and training hours. What Richmond families should check.
Read →Checking a Virginia assisted living license and inspections
Step-by-step: use the VDSS assisted living facility search to confirm a Richmond facility's license term, capacity, care levels and every posted inspection with violations.
Read →Ombudsman help and complaints in the Richmond region
Who to call about a problem in a Richmond-area assisted living facility or nursing home: the local ombudsman at The Span Center or Crater District, VDSS licensing and VDH.
Read →Adult Protective Services in the Richmond region
Report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of an older adult in Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield or the Tri-Cities: Virginia's 24/7 APS hotline, online portal and local DSS.
Read →Resident rights and discharge rules in Virginia assisted living
Virginia's 30-day discharge planning rule, the 14-day written notice, emergency exceptions, move-out notice limits and residents' control of their own money in assisted living.
Read →| Assisted living | Nursing homes | |
|---|---|---|
| State agency | VDSS Division of Licensing Programs | Virginia Department of Health |
| Federal role | No federal certification | CMS certification and star ratings |
| Key regulation | 22VAC40-73 | Federal and state nursing facility rules |
Last verified: October 2026
