Violation

California Code § 87309(a)(1)Chemical Storage Safety

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

Type A, seriousAffects rcfe155 facilities cited in the last 90 days

ℹ️ 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 § 87309(a)(1) actually says

California Code § 87309(a)(1)

Disinfectants, cleaning solutions, and poisonous substances shall be stored in areas separate from food supplies as specified in Section 87555, General Food Service Requirements.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

147 California RCFEs have a Type A citation for storing chemicals near food. Walk your kitchen and pantry today and move every cleaner and disinfectant to a separate, locked cabinet. LPAs check this on the first walk-through, and one spray bottle on a food shelf is a Type A finding.

By the numbers

155^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
22^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
--^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: Steady

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

Check a facility

What other providers do

Common practices to stay clear of Chemical Storage Safety

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

Common practices

Store disinfectants and cleaning solutions away from food supplies
Store poisonous substances away from food supplies
Follow the food storage separation rules in Section 87555

What to avoid

Leaving a spray bottle or cleaner on a food shelf
Storing chemicals and dry goods in the same pantry
Skipping a daily check of the kitchen and storeroom

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 Chemical Storage Safety, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Los Angeles	32	--	--
Contra Costa	23	--	--
Alameda	12	--	--
Riverside	11	--	--
Sacramento	11	--	--
San Bernardino	10	--	--
Fresno	9	--	--
Orange	5	--	--
Kern	4	--	--
Santa Clara	4	--	--

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-05-30Updated weekly

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

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

What is a chemical storage violation in an RCFE?

It means disinfectants, cleaning solutions, or poisons were stored with or near food supplies. Title 22, Section 87309(a)(1) requires these substances to be kept in areas separate from food. The danger is direct: a resident, especially one with dementia, can mistake a chemical for food or drink, or a spill can contaminate what residents eat. CCLD treats this exposure risk as a Type A citation.

How common is this violation in California assisted living?

It surfaces often in kitchen and storeroom inspections. According to California CCLD inspection records, 147 California RCFEs have been cited under Section 87309(a)(1), most as Type A violations carrying a direct, immediate risk to residents. Los Angeles County leads with 36 citations, followed by Contra Costa with 23 and Alameda with 12. Mixed storage is common in tight facilities and serious every time.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for mixed chemical storage?

Because this is a Type A citation, it flags immediate risk and draws prompt follow-up. The LPA documents the deficiency, sets a correction date, and returns to verify that chemicals and food are fully separated. Type A citations carry higher civil penalties than Type B citations. A repeated finding here is hard to defend, since the fix is simple and the danger to residents is clear.

How do I fix or prevent this violation?

Give cleaning chemicals and disinfectants their own labeled, separate storage away from all food, ideally in a locked cabinet. Walk the kitchen, pantry, and storerooms and remove any spray bottle or jug sitting on a food shelf. Train every staff member that nothing toxic goes near food, full stop. Check it during your daily kitchen pass. Separation is the whole rule, so make it visible and obvious.

Does this violation affect my RCFE license?

Yes, it can carry weight. CCLD records the citation, and a Type A finding for chemical-near-food storage reflects directly on resident safety, which licensing reviewers take seriously. One corrected citation is usually survivable. A repeat, or a chemical-storage finding tied to a resident harm complaint, can support formal enforcement against your license. Fix it immediately and keep storage separated to protect both residents and your license.

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.

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