Violation

California Code § 87303(e)(3)Hot Water Warnings

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 rcfe120 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 § 87303(e)(3) actually says

California Code § 87303(e)(3)

Taps delivering water at 125 degree F (52 degree C) or above shall be prominently identified by warning signs.

From the field

What operators tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

Test resident-accessible taps with a thermometer and sign every one at 125°F or above. Unmarked scalding taps are a Type A citation and an older resident can burn in seconds, so a posted sign is the cheapest protection you have.

By the numbers

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

120 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 Hot Water Warnings

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

Common practices

Identify every accessible tap delivering water at 125°F or above
Post a prominent warning sign at each such tap
Keep the signs visible and replace them if removed or faded

What to avoid

Missing signage on a tap that runs above the threshold
Faded or removed signs that were never replaced
Relying on a sign alone instead of also managing water temperature

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 Hot Water Warnings, last 90 days
County	Citations
Los Angeles	21
Contra Costa	19
Orange	18
Ventura	6
Riverside	6
San Bernardino	6
San Mateo	5
Sacramento	4
Butte	3
Placer	3

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 a hot water warning sign violation in an RCFE?

This violation means a tap in your RCFE delivers water at 125°F or hotter without a prominent warning sign. Title 22 requires those signs because water at that temperature can cause serious scald burns in seconds. Older residents have thinner skin and slower reactions, so they burn faster and more deeply than younger adults. The missing or unclear sign is the cited deficiency, separate from any control measure on the water temperature itself.

How common is this violation in California assisted living?

Unmarked hot-water taps are a common safety citation in California assisted living. As of 2026, 116 California RCFEs were cited under this requirement, producing 120 citations across 24 counties. CCLD classifies most of these as Type A violations, its most serious designation, because an unmarked scalding tap is a direct and immediate risk to residents. Los Angeles County leads with 21 facilities cited, followed closely by Contra Costa with 19 and Orange with 18.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for an unmarked hot tap?

Because an unmarked hot tap is usually cited as Type A, CCLD treats it as urgent. You receive a written deficiency, a short correction deadline, and a required plan of correction, and the facility is expected to post compliant signage right away. Type A violations carry higher civil penalties than Type B, and an LPA may return to confirm the signs are in place. If a resident was actually scalded, the matter draws far closer scrutiny.

How do I fix or prevent a hot water signage citation?

Check the water temperature at every resident-accessible tap and identify any that reach 125°F or above. Post a clear, prominent warning sign at each of those taps so residents and staff see it before use. Pair the signage with a plan to manage the water temperature itself, since the safest fix is keeping accessible taps below the scald threshold. Re-check after any plumbing or water-heater change, and replace faded or removed signs immediately.

Does a hot water signage citation affect my RCFE license?

Yes, scald-risk citations are recorded in your RCFE's CCLD history and carry weight because they are usually Type A. A single corrected citation rarely ends a license, but it stays on the public record families review, and an actual scald injury changes the picture sharply. A pattern of safety violations like this can move your facility toward escalated enforcement. Posting and maintaining hot-water warning signs is a quick, low-cost way to protect both residents and your license.

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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