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Violation

California Code § 87303(b)(1)Minimum Room Heating

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

Type B, generalAffects rcfe27 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 § 87303(b)(1) actually says

California Code § 87303(b)(1)

The facility shall heat rooms that residents occupy to a minimum of 68 degree F, (20 degrees C).

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

27 California RCFEs were cited for inadequate heating across 16 counties. LPAs often check room temperature during winter complaint inspections. Place a visible thermometer in each resident room and common area, and log readings twice daily during cold months. This takes about 10 minutes and prevents a common Type B citation.

By the numbers

27*CCLD
facilities cited in the last 90 days

That is 1 in 500 facilities CCLD inspected.

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly

16*CCLD
counties where this citation appeared

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly

--*CCLD
rank among most-common citations

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly

Trajectory
Steady

Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.

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

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What other providers do

Common practices to stay clear of Minimum Room Heating

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

Common practices

What to avoid

  • Portable space heaters used as the primary heat source in resident rooms, which LPAs often flag as a secondary safety concern
  • Thermostats set below 68°F in unmonitored common areas during overnight hours
  • Broken central heating not repaired before cold weather arrives, leaving residents in cold rooms
  • Staff unaware of the 68°F minimum requirement and unable to respond to resident complaints about 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 Minimum Room Heating, last 90 days
CountyCitations
Orange3
Monterey3
San Diego3
Humboldt2
Los Angeles2
San Joaquin2
Contra Costa2
Napa1
Nevada1
Alameda1

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly

Public record

Check any facility for § 87303(b)(1)

Free public record. No account needed.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

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

What is the minimum heating requirement for California assisted living rooms?
Title 22, Section 87303(b)(1) requires your facility to heat every room occupied by residents to a minimum of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). This standard applies to bedrooms, common areas, and any space where residents spend time. Adequate heating protects elderly residents from hypothermia and related illness.
How common is the heating violation in California assisted living?
According to CCLD inspection records, 27 California RCFEs were cited for violating Section 87303(b)(1), with 28 total citations issued across 16 counties. These are classified as Type B violations, indicating potential risk to residents if not corrected. San Diego, Orange, and Monterey counties each reported three citations.
What happens if an RCFE is cited for inadequate heating?
CCLD issues a Type B citation requiring your community to restore adequate heating within the correction period. The LPA may conduct an unannounced follow-up to verify the heating system is functional and rooms meet the 68°F minimum. The citation appears on your facility's public licensing record for families and placement agencies to see.
How do I fix or prevent minimum heating violations in my RCFE?
Service all heating systems before cold weather and keep maintenance records current. Place thermometers in resident rooms and common areas, logging readings at least twice daily during winter months. LPAs check thermostat settings and ask residents about comfort during annual inspections and complaint visits.
Does a heating violation affect my RCFE license?
A Type B heating citation alone will not result in license revocation, but failure to correct it can lead to additional enforcement. CCLD tracks repeat deficiencies across inspection cycles. A pattern of uncorrected heating violations may trigger a plan of correction requirement or formal compliance review.

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.