Violation

California Code § 87555(b)(27)Kitchen Sanitation

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 rcfe172 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 § 87555(b)(27) actually says

California Code § 87555(b)(27)

All kitchen areas shall be kept clean and free of litter, rodents, vermin and insects.

From the field

What operators tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

Walk your kitchen the way an LPA does, checking under equipment and in corners where pests gather. Visible rodent or insect signs turn a routine visit into a Type B citation and a follow-up inspection.

By the numbers

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

172 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 Kitchen Sanitation

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

Common practices

Keep all kitchen areas clean and free of litter
Keep the kitchen free of rodents, vermin, and insects
Maintain a routine cleaning and pest-control practice

What to avoid

Litter or food debris left out that attracts pests
No regular pest control or missing service records
Dirty areas under and behind kitchen equipment

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 Kitchen Sanitation, last 90 days
County	Citations
Los Angeles	42
Contra Costa	15
Alameda	13
Orange	11
San Bernardino	10
Sonoma	8
San Diego	8
Sacramento	8
Fresno	7
Ventura	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 does the RCFE kitchen sanitation rule require?

It requires all kitchen areas to stay clean and free of litter, rodents, vermin, and insects. Title 22, Section 87555(b)(27) sets this standard so the food residents eat is not exposed to pests or contamination. Many RCFE residents are older and more vulnerable to foodborne illness, which makes a clean kitchen a direct part of their care. Sanitation lapses are a common Type B citation.

How common is this kitchen sanitation violation in California assisted living?

According to California CCLD inspection records, 147 California RCFEs have been cited under Section 87555(b)(27), with 174 total citations across 22 counties. This is a Type B violation, a potential risk if left uncorrected. Los Angeles County leads with 42 citations, followed by Contra Costa with 15. Roughly 1.1% of California RCFEs carry this deficiency, a steady finding in routine kitchen inspections.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for an unsanitary kitchen?

A Licensing Program Analyst documents the deficiency, notes what they observed, and sets a correction date. You submit a plan of correction and show a clean kitchen at the follow-up visit. As a Type B citation, it carries civil penalties lower than a Type A. Signs of an active rodent or insect problem can escalate the concern and prompt a return visit sooner.

How do I prevent kitchen sanitation citations?

Set a written daily cleaning schedule that covers floors, surfaces, storage, and trash. Seal food, empty bins often, and remove litter that draws pests. Schedule regular pest control and keep the service records on file. Walk the kitchen the way a Licensing Program Analyst would before each shift ends, checking under equipment and in corners where rodents and insects gather.

Does a kitchen sanitation citation affect my RCFE license?

A single Type B sanitation citation will not cost you your license, but California CCLD records it in your facility's history. Repeated kitchen findings or an active pest problem signal weak oversight and hurt your standing at renewal and in complaint reviews. Correcting the deficiency by the analyst's deadline and keeping a documented cleaning routine stops one citation from becoming a pattern.

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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