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VIENNA — Vienna city officials say they are working to ensure compliance with local ordinances following the recent opening of a sober living home in Vienna.

Mayor Chad Emrick confirmed that the facility, believed to be affiliated with the Oxford House network, began operating in a residential neighborhood without prior notice to the city.

“Recently, we’ve had one of the sober living homes open up in one of our communities, and it has been brought to our attention,” Emrick said.

Emrick emphasized that while the city supports recovery and rehabilitation efforts, operations must still follow local zoning and permitting laws.

“We believe that everyone has the opportunity and should have the right to recover and to have a second chance,” he said. “My position is that it just has to be done within accordance to the city ordinance.”

According to the Oxford House website, the organization is a national nonprofit that operates peer-run sober living homes across the country, typically without staff or formal treatment programs. The homes are designed to provide a supportive, substance-free environment for residents in recovery.

Seven Oxford Houses operate within Wood County, including:

* Argon House — Mount Vernon Circle, Parkersburg

* Arrow House — 10th Street, Vienna

* Country Roads House — Stella Street, Parkersburg

* Marvel House — Roseland Avenue, Parkersburg

* Woodburn House — Kay Street, Parkersburg

* Woodsdale House — Greenmont Circle, Vienna

* Worthington House — Fairview Avenue, Parkersburg

The National Alliance of Recovery Residences (NARR), founded in 2011, created national standards to define and evaluate recovery-oriented housing and services.

These standards outline four levels of support for recovery residences, ranging from peer-operated homes to clinically supervised facilities. The most recent version of the standard, Version 3.0, was released in 2018 and includes specific guidance for evaluating peer support and the recovery environment.

In 2016, NARR also adopted a Code of Ethics for operators, staff, and volunteers in recovery residences. The standards emphasize quality, access, and choice — ensuring safe, accountable, and transparent housing options for individuals in recovery.

In West Virginia, the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences (WVARR) oversees certification of homes that meet NARR standards. Several certified recovery residences operate within the Mid-Ohio Valley, including:

* Recovery Point of West Virginia — Parkersburg

* Three Perfect Purpose Inc. residences

* Mid-Ohio Valley Fellowship Home, Wilson House (men)

* Mid-Ohio Valley Fellowship, women without children home

* Mid-Ohio Valley Fellowship, women with children home

* Mid-Ohio Valley Fellowship, men’s main home

* Mid-Ohio Valley Fellowship, Linda’s House (women)

Further details about the Vienna home’s registration or potential city review are expected to be discussed at an upcoming Vienna City Council meeting. The city will also host a town hall on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. to address questions and concerns surrounding Oxford House operations in the community.

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com