How to Open an ALF in Franklin County, Florida

Franklin County requires a different mindset from a large urban county. The central issue is not simply finding a house with enough space. Applicants need to think about coastal flood exposure, jurisdiction, wastewater, road access, commercial or change-of-occupancy review, fire safety, and realistic evacuation planning at the same time.

Florida Statute 429.11 requires local zoning documentation, satisfactory fire-safety inspection documentation, and satisfactory sanitation inspection documentation. In Franklin County, the local path can split among unincorporated county government, the City of Apalachicola, and the City of Carrabelle.

For the statewide licensing sequence, review FALC's guide on how to open an ALF in Florida and use this Franklin County guide for the local layer.

Step 1: Treat Flood, Shoreline, and Infrastructure as Property-Screening Issues

Franklin County is a coastal county with flood zones, shoreline development controls, and areas where sewer service is not universal. The county Building Department specifically provides flood-zone information, and the zoning code contains Critical Shoreline and Critical Habitat provisions. Those conditions can affect elevation, site design, wastewater, access, and the cost of converting an existing building.

Before evaluating bedrooms or renovation finishes, obtain the parcel's zoning, flood zone, utility status, and development jurisdiction. A property that is inexpensive because of flood or infrastructure constraints can become one of the most expensive ALF conversions to complete.

Step 2: Unincorporated Franklin County Uses a Formal Development-Permit System

Franklin County Planning and Zoning administers the county Zoning Code, which states that development approval and a development permit must be obtained before development begins. It also requires permits for changes in building occupancy. The county's Planning and Zoning Department publishes zoning permits, classifications, adjustment-board applications, and a public permits search portal.

For an ALF conversion, the county should review the proposed use before the owner assumes that an existing residence or commercial building can simply be reused. Get the use classification and required approvals in writing before making irreversible property commitments.

Step 3: Franklin County Commercial Review Can Reach Both Planning and Zoning and the County Commission

Franklin County's published commercial instruction sheet directs commercial applicants to contact the Building Department to be placed on the Planning and Zoning agenda and Board of County Commissioners agenda for the commercial review process.

An ALF applicant should ask the county whether the proposed facility is being processed as commercial, institutional, group residential, community residential, or another classification, and whether the project requires staff approval, Planning and Zoning review, Board action, or a zoning change. Get that answer in writing before relying on an older use of the building.

Step 4: Apalachicola Has Its Own Planning Board and Requires Review of New Development

City of Apalachicola Planning and Community Development states that its Planning and Zoning Board reviews and approves new development inside city limits. The city reviews site-plan code compliance, including land use, setbacks, and lot coverage.

For a proposed ALF in Apalachicola, contact the City Planner before assuming county zoning controls. Ask whether the use is allowed in the parcel's zone, whether a special exception or rezoning is needed, and whether the building is in the historic district or another area with additional design or flood requirements.

Step 5: Carrabelle Is Another Separate Municipal Path

Carrabelle City Clerk's office handles Planning and Zoning administration. Franklin County's commercial instruction sheet separately tells Carrabelle applicants to contact the city for placement on the city Planning and Zoning and City Commission agendas.

Verify city land-use approval, building-review responsibility, fire-review responsibility, utility service, and any county approvals that remain before preparing the AHCA licensing package.

Step 6: Fire Review Should Be Designed Into the Project, Not Added at the End

Franklin County's commercial guidance states that a certified fire-safety inspector must review commercial building plans and perform fire-safety inspections during construction. The exact authority and plan-review route must be confirmed for the property and current code edition.

For an ALF, Florida's uniform fire-safety statute applies regardless of whether the building started life as a single-family home. Resident evacuation capability, occupancy, alarm and sprinkler requirements, egress, emergency lighting, and any renovation level can affect the final fire approval. Ask the local authority to review the actual ALF use and planned capacity early.

Step 7: DOH-Franklin Covers Group Care and Institutional Food Hygiene

DOH-Franklin Group Care states that its Environmental Health staff inspects assisted living facilities and other group-care settings for construction, operation, and maintenance standards. The Food Hygiene page also identifies assisted living facilities as institutional food-service operations regulated by DOH.

Contact Environmental Health before kitchen or laundry renovations so the final floor plan supports the sanitation inspection required for AHCA licensure.

Step 8: Septic Permitting Is Now Directly With DEP in Franklin County

Franklin County is one of the 16 Northwest Florida counties transferred to direct Florida DEP OSTDS permitting on January 2, 2025. If the property does not have central sewer, obtain septic feasibility early and size the system for the proposed ALF use rather than the property's former household demand. Coastal lots, flood elevation, soil conditions, and lot size can make wastewater feasibility a deal-breaker.

Step 9: Build the Emergency Plan for a Coastal Evacuation, Not a Generic Template

Franklin County Emergency Management is based in Apalachicola and coordinates county disaster planning. A clear public ALF-specific submission page was not located during this review, so applicants should contact the office directly to confirm the current healthcare-facility CEMP review method and required attachments.

The evacuation destination and transportation plan deserve special scrutiny. The destination should be outside the hazard expected to affect the facility, transportation must match resident mobility needs, and the route should remain realistic under bridge, coastal-road, or storm-surge conditions.

Current Franklin County and Municipal Contacts to Verify

Contacts, fees, forms, and procedures can change. Verify current information for the exact property before filing.

Before You Commit to a Franklin County Property, Ask These Questions

• Is the parcel in unincorporated Franklin County, Apalachicola, or Carrabelle?
• What zoning or land-use classification will the local authority assign to the proposed ALF?
• Will the project require staff development approval, Planning and Zoning review, Board/Commission action, special exception, or rezoning?
• Is the property in a flood, shoreline, wetland, or other hazard area that changes site design or evacuation feasibility?
• Does the existing building require a change-of-occupancy permit or substantial-improvement review?
• Which fire authority reviews the plans and conducts the final ALF fire inspection?
• What DOH-Franklin group-care and food-plan documents are needed?
• Is the property on central sewer, or must DEP approve a new or modified septic system?
• Can residents realistically evacuate from this site during a coastal event, and is the destination outside the same hazard?
• What is Franklin County's current ALF CEMP submission process?