Violation

California Code § 87156(a)RCFE License Fees

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 rcfe38 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 § 87156(a) actually says

California Code § 87156(a)

An applicant or licensee shall be charged fees as specified in Health and Safety Code section 1569.185.

From the field

What operators tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

32 California RCFEs were cited for fee-related deficiencies, with Orange County accounting for 12 of them. CCLD will not process applications, renewals, or modifications without full payment. Set a calendar reminder 60 days before your renewal date and confirm the current fee amount, which can change by statute.

By the numbers

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

38 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 RCFE License Fees

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

Common practices

Pay all application fees before CCLD will process a new RCFE license request
Submit annual license renewal fees by the due date to keep your facility's license active
Pay any additional fees assessed for plan modifications, capacity changes, or change-of-ownership requests as specified in statute

What to avoid

Missing the annual renewal fee deadline due to a change in billing address or responsible party
Submitting a partial payment when the full amount is required for processing
Assuming a change-of-ownership application transfers without paying the required statutory fees

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 RCFE License Fees, last 90 days
County	Citations
Orange	12
Riverside	6
Fresno	3
Alameda	2
Sacramento	2
San Bernardino	2
Kern	1
Tulare	1
San Diego	1
Los Angeles	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 the RCFE license fee requirement under Section 87156(a)?

Section 87156(a) requires every RCFE applicant and licensee to pay the fees established in Health and Safety Code section 1569.185. These fees cover application processing, annual license renewal, and modifications to your facility's license. Without current fee payments, your community cannot operate legally in California.

How common are fee-related citations in California assisted living?

According to public CCLD inspection records, 32 California RCFEs received 39 total citations for fee noncompliance. Orange County had the highest concentration with 12 citations. These are classified as Type B citations, meaning they represent a potential compliance gap rather than an immediate risk to residents.

What happens if an RCFE does not pay required license fees?

CCLD issues a Type B citation and may place your facility on a plan of correction. Unpaid fees can delay license renewal, which puts your entire operation at risk. If fees remain unpaid, the Community Care Licensing Division may initiate suspension or revocation proceedings against your RCFE license.

How do I fix or prevent a fee citation at my RCFE?

Confirm that all fees listed under Health and Safety Code section 1569.185 are paid in full and on time. Keep copies of payment receipts in your licensing file, and verify that CCLD received payment by checking your facility's online record. Assign one administrator to track all fee deadlines for applications, renewals, and modifications.

Can unpaid fees lead to loss of my RCFE license?

Yes. While a single Type B fee citation will not immediately close your facility, repeated nonpayment can trigger escalating enforcement from CCLD. Unpaid fees that prevent license renewal leave your community operating without a valid license, which the Community Care Licensing Division treats as a serious compliance failure.

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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