Phoenix House Sober Living

How to Request a Guest Pass or Other Exceptions

Guest visit rules and how to request approval or an exception

Guests are a privilege, not a right, and all visits require prior approval from the Peer Council or Program Coordinator. These guidelines help us maintain a safe, structured, and recovery-focused environment for everyone in the house. Thank you for helping protect our community.

📋 Guest Visit Rules

Important — read before requesting

Guests may visit up to 3 days per week, with no consecutive visiting days
Each visit is limited to 2 hours, for a maximum of 6 hours per week
Visiting hours are 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
All visits must take place in the designated common areas
Guests must follow all house rules
Guests cannot be under the influence or possess drugs or alcohol, and may be asked to submit to a UA if requested
Guests of the opposite sex are not permitted inside the residence without prior approval from the House Leader and are never allowed in sleeping rooms
Overnight guests are not allowed, with one exception: children age 12 and under with prior approval from the House Leader or Peer Council

Key point: Residents are responsible for the conduct of their guests. Visits may be ended at any time if they disrupt the recovery environment or violate house rules.

✅ How to Request Approval

In Person

Step 1: Ask the Peer Council or Program Coordinator

All guest visits require prior approval from the Peer Council or Program Coordinator. Ask as early as possible so there’s time to review your request.

Let them know who is visiting, the day, and the requested time window
Confirm your visit fits within the 3-day, 6-hour weekly limit
Remember visits cannot happen on consecutive days

Tip: Requesting early in the week gives the Peer Council time to review and helps avoid scheduling conflicts with other residents’ visits.

Important

Step 2: Get Extra Approval for Opposite-Sex Guests

Guests of the opposite sex are not permitted inside the residence without prior approval from the House Leader, and are never allowed in sleeping rooms under any circumstance.

Ask the House Leader directly in addition to Peer Council/Coordinator approval
Visits must stay in designated common areas only

Tip: Bring this up when you make your initial request so both approvals can happen at once.

Case-by-Case Approval

Step 3: Requesting an Exception (Overnight Children’s Visit)

Overnight guests are not allowed, except for children age 12 and under, which requires prior approval from the House Leader or Peer Council.

Request this well in advance of the planned visit
Be ready to explain the circumstances and how long the child will stay
Approval is granted case-by-case and is not automatic

Tip: This is the only overnight exception available — no other overnight guest requests will be approved.

📝 What to Have Ready

Your guest’s name and relationship to you
Requested visit day and time (within 12:00 PM–8:00 PM hours)
Confirmation you haven’t exceeded your weekly 3-day / 6-hour limit

What Happens During the Visit

Guests must stay in designated common areas and follow all house rules. Guests cannot be under the influence or possess drugs or alcohol, and may be asked to submit to a UA if requested. Residents are responsible for their guests’ conduct, and a visit may be ended at any time if it disrupts the recovery environment or violates house rules.

☎️ Who to Contact

Peer Council: Ask at the house for current contact info and meeting schedule
Program Coordinator: Available for approvals and questions about visit scheduling
House Leader: Required for opposite-sex guest approval and overnight child exceptions

💡 Tips for Success

Ask for approval as early as possible — don’t wait until the day of the visit
Keep track of your weekly 3-day / 6-hour limit so you don’t accidentally go over
Remind your guest of the house rules before they arrive so there are no surprises
If in doubt about whether something needs approval, ask first

Have Questions About a Visit?

Reach out to the Peer Council or Program Coordinator to request approval or ask about an exception.

📞 Call Us: 208-918-8200

This page reflects current house guest policy. Rules may be updated at any time by the Peer Council or Program Coordinator. Last updated: July 2026.