Violation

California Code § 87307(d)(6)Clear Passageways

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 rcfe299 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 § 87307(d)(6) actually says

California Code § 87307(d)(6)

All outdoor and indoor passageways and stairways shall be kept free of obstruction.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

268 California RCFEs were cited for this. Walk every hallway and stairwell at the start of each shift and clear anything in the path. LPAs notice a blocked corridor in the first minutes of a visit, and it is an easy Type B citation, or worse if it blocks an exit.

By the numbers

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

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

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What other providers do

Common practices to stay clear of Clear Passageways

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

Common practices

Keep all indoor and outdoor passageways free of obstruction
Keep all stairways clear and unobstructed
Maintain clear paths wide enough for walkers and wheelchairs

What to avoid

Carts, equipment, or supplies stored in hallways
Deliveries staged in corridors instead of moved to storage
Items left on stair landings or steps

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 Clear Passageways, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Los Angeles	62	--	--
Contra Costa	48	--	--
Orange	22	--	--
Alameda	19	--	--
Santa Clara	19	--	--
San Bernardino	14	--	--
Sacramento	13	--	--
Ventura	11	--	--
Riverside	10	--	--
San Mateo	10	--	--

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 the clear passageways and stairways requirement?

Title 22, Section 87307(d)(6) requires an RCFE to keep all indoor and outdoor passageways and stairways free of obstruction. The rule protects residents and staff who need clear paths to move safely through the building and to exit fast in an emergency. Clutter, stored equipment, deliveries, or furniture left in a hallway or stairwell all count as obstructions. For residents who use walkers or wheelchairs, even a partial blockage can be dangerous.

How common are blocked passageways in California assisted living?

It is a frequently cited physical-plant deficiency. As of 2026, 268 California RCFEs were cited under Section 87307(d)(6), across 307 total citations in 24 counties. CCLD usually classifies this as Type B, a potential risk if not corrected rather than an immediate danger, though a fully blocked exit can rise to Type A. Most citations come from everyday clutter that builds up in halls and stairwells. Los Angeles, Contra Costa, and Orange counties lead the counts.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for an obstructed passageway?

You receive a Type B citation and a plan of correction with a deadline to clear the path and keep it clear. A Licensing Program Analyst confirms the fix at a follow-up visit or the next inspection. Type B carries lower civil penalties than Type A, but a passageway that fully blocks an exit can be cited as Type A instead. Repeated obstruction findings suggest a housekeeping problem and invite closer LPA attention.

How do I fix or prevent obstructed passageways and stairways?

Walk every hallway and stairwell on each shift and clear anything left in the path, including carts, boxes, deliveries, and laundry. Give stored equipment a permanent home that is not a corridor. Set a rule that deliveries are moved off walkways immediately, not staged in halls. Add passageway checks to your daily housekeeping rounds. These fixes cost minutes, and a quick walk-through before an inspection catches most of what an LPA would.

Does an obstructed passageway citation affect my RCFE license?

A single Type B citation rarely affects your license by itself. It enters your facility's public CCLD record and counts toward the compliance history CCLD reviews at renewal. The real risk is repetition: recurring obstruction findings point to a maintenance and housekeeping weakness, and if a blocked exit ever harms a resident during an emergency, the stakes rise sharply. Keeping paths clear every shift is the simplest way to protect your standing.

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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