Violation

California Code § 87202(a)(2)Bedridden Fire Clearance

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

Type A, seriousAffects rcfe204 facilities cited in the last 90 days

What does Type A vs Type B mean?

Type A. Serious citation. Imminent or substantial risk to residents. The regulator requires corrective action immediately and may impose a civil penalty.

Type B. Lower-severity citation. Corrective action required, no imminent risk. The regulator monitors compliance on the next visit.

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)(2) actually says

California Code § 87202(a)(2)

Bedridden persons

From the field

What operators tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

Reassess mobility whenever a resident's health declines. A resident who becomes bedridden without updated fire clearance is a Type A citation, and LPAs check clearance against your current resident roster.

By the numbers

204^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
23^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
--^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: Steady; Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.

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

Check a facility

What other operators do

Common practices to stay clear of Bedridden Fire Clearance

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

Common practices

Hold a current fire clearance before admitting any bedridden resident
Confirm the clearance matches the level of care you provide
Reassess resident mobility, since a resident can become bedridden after admission

What to avoid

Admitting a bedridden resident before securing fire clearance
A resident becoming bedridden after admission without updated clearance
Expired or missing fire clearance certificate at the time of inspection

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 Bedridden Fire Clearance, last 90 days
County	Citations
Los Angeles	44
Riverside	21
Sacramento	19
Alameda	16
San Diego	14
Contra Costa	14
Orange	9
San Bernardino	7
San Mateo	6
Fresno	4

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-07-13Updated weekly

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

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

What is the bedridden fire clearance requirement for an RCFE?

Before an RCFE cares for a bedridden resident, it must hold a fire clearance approving the facility for that level of care. Title 22, Section 87202(a)(2) ties the clearance to bedridden residents because they cannot evacuate on their own during a fire. A facility that accepts a bedridden resident without the right clearance creates a direct, immediate safety risk, which is why CCLD cites it as Type A.

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

According to California CCLD inspection records, 183 California RCFEs have been cited under Section 87202(a)(2), with 204 total citations across 23 counties. This is a Type A violation because an un-cleared facility puts bedridden residents at direct risk during a fire. Los Angeles County leads with 44 citations, followed by Riverside with 21. Around 1.4% of California RCFEs carry this deficiency.

What happens if an RCFE keeps a bedridden resident without fire clearance?

A Licensing Program Analyst issues a Type A citation and requires immediate correction, which can mean securing clearance or relocating the resident to an appropriate facility. Type A citations carry higher civil penalties than Type B. Because the risk is life-safety, CCLD may coordinate with the local fire authority and return for an unannounced follow-up to confirm the resident is protected.

How do I get and keep fire clearance for bedridden residents?

Apply for fire clearance through your local fire authority and CCLD before admitting any bedridden resident. Confirm the clearance covers the exact level of care you provide. Reassess each resident's mobility regularly, because a resident can become bedridden after admission. Keep the current clearance certificate on file where a Licensing Program Analyst can find it during a visit.

Does a fire clearance citation affect my RCFE license?

Yes. As a Type A life-safety violation, California CCLD treats it seriously at renewal and in any investigation. Accepting bedridden residents the facility is not cleared to serve can lead to enforcement beyond the citation itself. Securing the correct clearance, documenting each resident's mobility status, and correcting the deficiency by the analyst's deadline keeps it from escalating.

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.

Every California assisted living facility's citation record is free to read. Browse facilities by county or look one up by name.

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