Violation

California Code § 87705(f)(1)Locked Door Notice

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 rcfe349 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 § 87705(f)(1) actually says

California Code § 87705(f)(1)

Licensees shall notify the licensing agency of their intention to lock exterior doors and/or perimeter fence gates.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

324 California RCFEs were cited for this. A new keypad lock for a wandering resident is a Type A citation if CCLD never got notice. File the written notice before the lock goes live, and keep egress safe.

By the numbers

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

349 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 Locked Door Notice

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

Common practices

Notify the licensing agency before locking exterior doors or perimeter gates
Keep the notice and any agency response in facility records
Make sure the locking system still allows safe emergency egress

What to avoid

Installing keypad or delayed-egress locks for memory care without notifying CCLD
Locking a perimeter gate for wandering risk with no notice on file
Changing the locking setup without re-notifying the agency

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 Locked Door Notice, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Los Angeles	66	--	--
Contra Costa	56	--	--
Ventura	40	--	--
Orange	34	--	--
Alameda	24	--	--
Riverside	12	--	--
Kern	9	--	--
San Diego	9	--	--
Santa Clara	8	--	--
San Bernardino	7	--	--

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 a Section 87705(f)(1) violation?

A Section 87705(f)(1) violation happens when an RCFE locks exterior doors or perimeter fence gates without first telling its licensing agency. The notice lets CCLD confirm residents can still exit safely in a fire or emergency. Locked egress without oversight can trap residents, so inspectors treat this as a Type A deficiency, the category for a direct, immediate risk to residents.

How common is this violation in California assisted living?

It is a common citation at RCFEs that serve residents with dementia or wandering risk. According to CCLD records, 324 California RCFEs have been cited under Section 87705(f)(1), and it is classified as a Type A violation because locked exits without agency review can put residents in direct danger. Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties report the most citations.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for locking doors without notice?

An LPA who finds locked exits with no notice on file will cite the facility for a Type A deficiency and set a correction deadline. The facility may need to prove residents can still evacuate and that the locking arrangement meets fire and egress rules. Type A citations carry higher civil penalties than Type B, and a follow-up visit usually confirms the fix.

How do I fix or prevent this violation?

Before you install or activate any lock on an exterior door or perimeter gate, send written notice to your licensing agency and wait for guidance. Keep the notice and any approval in your facility records. Confirm the locking system allows safe egress in an emergency, such as delayed egress that releases on the fire alarm. Re-notify whenever you change the locking setup.

Does this violation affect my RCFE license?

Yes. Locking residents in without notifying CCLD is a serious licensing matter. A Type A citation here can lead to a noncompliance conference, and an unsafe locked environment can support stronger action against your RCFE license. Filing the notice first, and keeping egress safe, is how facilities run a secured perimeter without putting their license at risk.

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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