Violation

California Code § 87303(a)Cleanliness & Repair

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

Type B, generalAffects rcfe2008 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 § 87303(a) actually says

California Code § 87303(a)

The facility shall be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair at all times. Maintenance shall include provision of maintenance services and procedures for the safety and well-being of residents, employees and visitors.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

Do a Friday walk-through with an LPA's eyes: handrails, bathrooms, kitchen, and outdoor paths. 1,310 California RCFEs have been cited under this rule. One loose handrail or visible pest sign can turn a routine visit into a Type B citation and a return inspection.

By the numbers

2008^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
40^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
--^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: Steady

2008 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 Cleanliness & Repair

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

Common practices

Keep the building, grounds, and equipment clean and sanitary at all times
Maintain everything in good repair, including floors, fixtures, and handrails
Run maintenance procedures that protect resident and staff safety

What to avoid

Deferring small repairs until they become visible safety hazards
No written maintenance log to show inspectors what was fixed and when
Pest activity, mold, or odor in kitchens, bathrooms, or common areas

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 Cleanliness & Repair, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Los Angeles	309	--	--
Orange	183	--	--
Contra Costa	97	--	--
Alameda	84	--	--
Sacramento	73	--	--
San Bernardino	48	--	--
Fresno	46	--	--
Riverside	46	--	--
Santa Clara	44	--	--
San Mateo	40	--	--

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 Section 87303(a) violation?

A Section 87303(a) violation means your RCFE was not kept clean, safe, sanitary, or in good repair when a Licensing Program Analyst visited. Title 22 requires the building, grounds, and equipment to stay in safe condition at all times. For residents, peeling paint, broken fixtures, pests, or dirty common areas raise the risk of falls, infection, and injury. CCLD usually classifies this as a Type B deficiency.

How common is this violation in California assisted living?

It is one of the most frequently cited RCFE deficiencies in the state. According to California CCLD inspection records, 1,310 California RCFEs have been cited under Section 87303(a), about 9.92% of licensed communities, across 42 counties. Los Angeles (337), Orange (184), and Contra Costa (98) lead the count. Most are written as Type B citations, meaning the condition could become a risk to residents if it is not corrected.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for this?

The LPA documents the deficiency, sets a correction date, and schedules a follow-up visit to confirm the repair. As a Type B citation, it flags a potential risk rather than an immediate one, so the timeline to fix it is usually short but firm. Type B citations carry civil penalties, and Type A citations carry higher penalties. Repeat or uncorrected findings can escalate the response and draw closer scrutiny on your next inspection.

How do I fix or prevent this violation?

Walk the building weekly the way an LPA would. Look at floors, bathrooms, kitchen, handrails, lighting, and outdoor paths. Log every repair request with a date and a completion date so you can show a maintenance record. Fix safety items, like loose handrails or pest activity, the same day. Keep cleaning schedules posted and signed. A documented routine turns a possible citation into proof that your community stays in good repair.

Does this violation affect my RCFE license?

A single corrected Type B citation rarely threatens your license, but the record stays in your public CCLD file and families can see it. Repeated or uncorrected sanitation and repair findings signal poor oversight and can move CCLD toward stronger enforcement. Community Care Licensing weighs your citation history when it reviews your license. Correcting fast and keeping clean maintenance records protects both resident safety and your standing with the Department.

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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