Violation

California Code § 87625(b)(3)Incontinence Care & Odors

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

Type B, generalAffects rcfe161 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 § 87625(b)(3) actually says

California Code § 87625(b)(3)

Ensuring that incontinent residents are kept clean and dry and that the facility remains free of odors from incontinence.

From the field

What operators tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

Walk your hallways at the start of each shift and check near resident rooms, hampers, and bathrooms. LPAs notice incontinence odors within the first few minutes of a visit, and 145 California RCFEs have already been cited for this. A documented check-and-change schedule is the simplest defense.

By the numbers

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

161 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 Incontinence Care & Odors

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

Common practices

Keep incontinent residents clean and dry throughout each shift
Follow a documented check-and-change schedule tied to each resident's care plan
Keep the facility free of incontinence odors in rooms and common areas
Handle soiled linens and laundry promptly in a contained area

What to avoid

No written check-and-change schedule, so changes happen inconsistently
Soiled linens left in open hampers or resident rooms
Understaffing on evening and overnight shifts that delays changes
Odors near bathrooms or laundry that staff have stopped noticing

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 Incontinence Care & Odors, last 90 days
County	Citations
Los Angeles	21
Sacramento	20
Sonoma	14
San Diego	12
Alameda	7
Riverside	7
Contra Costa	7
Marin	6
Placer	6
Ventura	6

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 an incontinence care and odor violation in an RCFE?

It is a Type B citation issued when an RCFE fails to keep incontinent residents clean and dry or lets incontinence odors build up in the community. Title 22, Section 87625(b)(3) ties cleanliness directly to resident comfort and dignity. LPAs flag damp clothing, soiled linens, and lingering odors during a walk-through. Correcting it means tightening your check-and-change schedule and your laundry and air-handling routines.

How common is this violation in California assisted living?

It is one of the more frequently cited care deficiencies in California assisted living. According to CCLD inspection records, 145 California RCFEs have been cited under Section 87625(b)(3), with Los Angeles and Sacramento counties leading at 21 citations each. The violation is classified Type B, a potential risk if left uncorrected, so repeat findings raise scrutiny on your next visit.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for incontinence care or odor problems?

An LPA documents the deficiency and sets a correction date you must meet. Type B citations carry civil penalties, and while they are less serious than Type A findings, an uncorrected Type B can escalate. CCLD typically returns for a follow-up visit to confirm the odor and cleanliness issues are resolved. Document your corrective steps so the analyst can verify them on the return inspection.

How do I fix or prevent incontinence-related citations?

Build a documented check-and-change schedule for every resident with a care plan need, and train staff to follow it on every shift. Move soiled linens to a closed laundry area promptly, and keep resident rooms and common areas ventilated. Walk the building daily as an LPA would, checking for odors near rooms, hampers, and bathrooms. Most well-run communities catch these issues before an inspector does.

Does an incontinence care violation affect my RCFE license?

Yes, indirectly. A single Type B incontinence citation does not by itself revoke your license, but CCLD records every deficiency against your facility under Section 87625(b)(3). A pattern of uncorrected care violations can trigger more frequent visits, a noncompliance plan, or administrative action by Community Care Licensing. Clearing each citation promptly and keeping your correction records protects 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.

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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