Violation

California Code § 87202(a)Fire Clearance

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 rcfe407 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 § 87202(a) actually says

California Code § 87202(a)

All facilities shall maintain a fire clearance approved by the city, county, or city and county fire department or district providing fire protection services, or the State Fire Marshal. Prior to accepting or retaining any of the following types of persons, the applicant or licensee shall notify the licensing agency and obtain an appropriate fire clearance approved by the city, county, or city and county fire department or district providing fire protection services, or the State Fire Marshal:

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

376 California RCFEs have been cited for this. Accepting a resident who needs evacuation help before the matching fire clearance is approved is a Type A citation, so confirm the clearance level first and never admit ahead of it.

By the numbers

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

407 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 Fire Clearance

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

Common practices

Maintain a current fire clearance from the serving fire department or State Fire Marshal
Obtain the matching fire clearance before retaining residents who need evacuation help
Notify the licensing agency before accepting those residents

What to avoid

Admitting a nonambulatory resident before upgrading the fire clearance
Letting the fire clearance lapse or not matching it to current residents
Failing to notify the licensing agency ahead of a higher-need admission

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 Fire Clearance, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Los Angeles	54	--	--
Ventura	36	--	--
Orange	35	--	--
Contra Costa	32	--	--
Kern	23	--	--
Sonoma	20	--	--
Alameda	20	--	--
Sacramento	20	--	--
Fresno	19	--	--
Riverside	16	--	--

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 87202(a) fire clearance violation?

Title 22, Section 87202(a) requires every California RCFE to keep a fire clearance approved by the fire department or district that serves it, or by the State Fire Marshal. Before accepting or keeping certain residents, such as those who cannot evacuate on their own, the facility must first notify the licensing agency and obtain the right level of fire clearance. The rule makes sure the building is approved for the residents actually living there.

How common is this violation in California assisted living?

Fire clearance gaps are a regular RCFE finding. CCLD inspection records show 376 California RCFEs have been cited under Section 87202(a), with 421 total citations across 34 counties. Inspectors classify it as a Type A violation, meaning it poses a direct and immediate risk to residents. Los Angeles (57), Orange (37), and Ventura (36) counties report the most citations of this kind.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for a fire clearance issue?

The facility receives a Type A citation and a Plan of Correction with a deadline to obtain or upgrade the clearance. Type A is the most serious class and carries higher civil penalties than Type B, though the amount depends on the case and no fixed figure applies. If you are keeping a resident the current clearance does not cover, the LPA may require immediate action. Fire clearance findings tie directly to your authority to house those residents.

How do I fix or prevent a fire clearance citation?

Keep your current fire clearance posted and on file, and confirm it matches the residents you serve. Before admitting a resident who is nonambulatory or needs evacuation help, notify the licensing agency and obtain the matching fire clearance first, not after. Re-check your clearance level whenever a resident's mobility changes. Treat the clearance as a precondition for that admission, the same way an LPA will.

Does a fire clearance violation affect my RCFE license?

Yes. A Section 87202(a) citation goes on your public CCLD record, and because the clearance governs which residents you may legally house, the stakes are high. A corrected one-time gap usually will not cost your license, but housing residents without the right clearance is a serious finding the Community Care Licensing Division can act on quickly. Match your clearance to your residents and keep it current 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.

Share ReadyRule: