"Residential Care Facility" means any building or place, or part of a building or place, where supervisory or personal care (but without professional nursing care) is provided for 4 or more people who are ambulatory or semi-ambulatory. 

Homes for Special Care Act and Regulations can be obtained from the N.S. Department of Health.

The proposal must be approved by the N.S. Minister of Health before proceeding.

There is a site visit as part of this process.

If all requirements are met and the application is approved, the licence will be sent to the applicant by mail.

1. Food Establishment Permit, N.S. Department of Agriculture;
   
2. Building Plans Approval, Labour and Workforce Development: Office of the Fire Marshal; and the N.S. Department of Health ;
   
3. Homes for Special Care: Approval and Licence, Department of Community Services;
   
4. Municipal Zoning Bylaws (if applicable);
   
5. Wastewater or Water Treatment Plant or Collection Facility & Wastewater or Water Treatment Plant or Distribution Facility: Operator Certification, Nova Scotia Environment;
   
6. Water Approval: Water Allocation, Nova Scotia Environment
   
7. Electrical Wiring Permit, Labour and Workforce Development;
   
8. Elevator / Lift Licence (Initial or Renewal), Labour and Workforce Development.
   
9. Cosmetology Licence of Nova Scotia;
   
10. Municipal Building Permit;
    
11. Municipal Occupancy Permit

• The number of beds required in a region will influence whether a licence is granted.
  
• A copy of the Homes for Special Care Act and Regulations provides outlines for the provision of information required by the N.S. Minister of Health.
  
• Some Homes for Special Care fall under the jurisdiction of the N.S. Department of Community Services, but three particular types, namely Homes for the Aged, Nursing Homes and Residential Care Facilities (Seniors), fall under the jurisdiction of the N.S. Department of Health .
  
  
• Types of Care:

1. Type I - is that required by a person who is ambulant and / or independently mobile, and who requires primarily supervision and / or assistance with activities of daily living.
   
2. Type II - is that required by a person with a relatively stabilized chronic disease or functional disability, who, having reached the apparent limit of their recovery, is not likely to change in the near future, who required the availability of personal care on a continuing 24 hour basis, with medical and professional nursing supervision.