Violation

California Code § 87606(c)Fire Clearance for Bedridden

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 rcfe80 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 § 87606(c) actually says

California Code § 87606(c)

To accept or retain a person who is bedridden, other than for a temporary illness or recovery from surgery, a licensee shall obtain and maintain an appropriate fire clearance as specified in Section 87202, Fire Clearance.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

83 California RCFEs received a Type A citation for this violation. LPAs check resident mobility status during every visit. If a resident cannot self-evacuate, your fire clearance must already be on file. Request it from the local fire authority before the admission date. Missing this step triggers the most serious deficiency classification CCLD issues.

By the numbers

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

80 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 for Bedridden

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

Common practices

Obtain fire clearance before admitting a non-temporary bedridden resident
Maintain the fire clearance for as long as the resident remains bedridden
File the clearance per Section 87202 requirements
Reassess resident mobility and clearance status when care needs change

What to avoid

Admitting a bedridden resident first and requesting fire clearance afterward
Assuming a temporary surgery recovery exemption applies to chronic bedridden conditions
Failing to update fire clearance when a resident's mobility declines over time
Not keeping fire clearance documentation accessible for LPA review during inspections

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 for Bedridden, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Orange	19	--	--
Los Angeles	16	--	--
Fresno	7	--	--
Alameda	5	--	--
Sacramento	5	--	--
San Diego	4	--	--
San Mateo	4	--	--
Contra Costa	4	--	--
Riverside	3	--	--
Placer	2	--	--

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 fire clearance requirement for bedridden residents in California RCFEs?

Title 22, Section 87606(c) requires an RCFE to obtain and maintain an appropriate fire clearance before admitting or retaining any resident who is bedridden, other than for a temporary illness or surgical recovery. The clearance, specified in Section 87202, confirms the facility can safely evacuate someone who cannot move independently. This requirement exists to protect residents who cannot self-evacuate during a fire.

How common is the fire clearance violation in California assisted living?

According to California CCLD inspection records, 83 RCFEs received citations for this Type A violation, totaling 86 citations across 19 counties. Los Angeles and Orange counties each accounted for 19 citations. Because this is classified as Type A, it reflects a direct and immediate risk to residents. It ranks among the most serious admission-related deficiencies CCLD cites.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for lacking fire clearance for a bedridden resident?

A Type A citation signals an immediate risk to resident life safety. CCLD requires prompt correction, and Type A citations carry higher civil penalties than Type B violations. The LPA may require the facility to obtain fire clearance immediately or transfer the resident to an appropriate setting. Follow-up inspections are standard practice. This citation draws serious enforcement attention from Licensing.

How do I fix or prevent a fire clearance citation for bedridden residents?

Request fire clearance from your local fire authority before admitting any bedridden resident, not after. Keep a copy of the approved clearance in both the resident file and the facility licensing binder. Review each resident's care plan quarterly to catch changes in mobility status. LPAs check fire clearance documentation whenever they see a resident who appears bedridden during a facility walk-through.

Does admitting a bedridden resident without fire clearance affect my RCFE license?

Yes. A Type A citation for this violation indicates a direct threat to resident life safety. CCLD can impose immediate corrective action, including relocation of the resident to an appropriate facility. Repeated violations can lead to probation, conditional license status, or revocation proceedings. Fire clearance is not optional. It is a prerequisite that must be in place before the admission occurs.

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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