Violation

California Code § 87303(d)Adequate Lighting

How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what operators do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.

Type B, generalAffects rcfe36 facilities cited in the last 90 days

What does Type A vs Type B mean?

Type A. Serious citation. Imminent or substantial risk to residents. The regulator requires corrective action immediately and may impose a civil penalty.

Type B. Lower-severity citation. Corrective action required, no imminent risk. The regulator monitors compliance on the next visit.

Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer

Regulation text

What California Code § 87303(d) actually says

California Code § 87303(d)

There shall be lamps or light appropriate for the use of each room and sufficient to ensure the comfort and safety of all persons in the facility.

From the field

What operators tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

35 California RCFEs were cited for inadequate lighting, and LPAs check this within the first few minutes of any facility walk-through. Keep a checklist of every fixture and replace bulbs within 24 hours. A dark hallway is one of the easiest ways to trigger a Type B citation, and if a resident falls in that hallway, the deficiency can escalate to Type A with higher penalties and mandatory follow-up visits.

By the numbers

36^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
14^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
--^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: Steady; Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.

36 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.

Check a facility

What other operators do

Common practices to stay clear of Adequate Lighting

Common practices shared by operators. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.

Common practices

Provide lamps or light fixtures appropriate for each room's intended use
Ensure lighting is sufficient for the safety of all residents and staff
Maintain functional lighting in all areas at all times

What to avoid

Leaving burned-out bulbs unreplaced for days or weeks
Missing nightlights in hallways and resident bathrooms
Insufficient lighting in storage areas and utility rooms that staff access regularly
Outdoor walkways and entry areas with dark spots or nonfunctional fixtures

Regional record

Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days

Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records.

Regional citations for Adequate Lighting, last 90 days
County	Citations
Riverside	9
Sacramento	5
Los Angeles	5
San Bernardino	3
Fresno	2
San Mateo	2
Contra Costa	2
Placer	1
Solano	1
San Diego	1

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-07-13Updated weekly

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is an adequate lighting violation?

Title 22, Section 87303(d) requires every room in a California RCFE to have lamps or lighting appropriate for the room's use and sufficient for resident safety and comfort. A violation occurs when LPAs find rooms with burned-out bulbs, missing fixtures, or lighting too dim for safe navigation. Residents with vision impairments depend on proper lighting to prevent falls and move confidently through their environment.

How common is inadequate lighting in California assisted living?

According to California CCLD inspection records, 35 California RCFEs were cited for lighting deficiencies under Section 87303(d). These are classified as Type B citations, indicating a potential risk that could become serious if left uncorrected. Riverside County had the highest concentration with 9 affected facilities. LPAs frequently identify this issue during annual inspections, particularly in resident rooms, hallways, and common bathrooms.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for inadequate lighting?

A Type B citation under Section 87303(d) requires your community to submit a plan of correction to CCLD. Type B citations carry civil penalties, though lower than Type A citations. You must replace missing or nonfunctional lighting within the correction period, typically 30 days. LPAs may conduct a follow-up visit to verify compliance. Poor lighting combined with a resident fall injury can escalate enforcement severity significantly.

How do I fix or prevent an inadequate lighting citation?

Walk through your facility monthly and test every light fixture in resident rooms, hallways, bathrooms, and common areas. Replace burned-out bulbs within 24 hours and keep a stock of common bulb types on site. Install nightlights in all resident bathrooms and hallways. Check outdoor walkways and parking areas for dark spots. A 30-minute monthly walkthrough prevents one of the most avoidable citations LPAs document.

Does a lighting citation affect my RCFE license?

A single Type B lighting citation alone will not jeopardize your license. However, CCLD evaluates the overall pattern of deficiencies during each inspection cycle. If inadequate lighting contributes to a resident injury, the citation severity can escalate to Type A. Repeated Type B citations across inspections signal a systemic maintenance problem and can trigger increased monitoring or conditional license status.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed residential care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

Every California assisted living facility's citation record is free to read. Browse facilities by county or look one up by name.

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