Violation

California Code § 87208(a)Plan of Operation

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 rcfe136 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 § 87208(a) actually says

California Code § 87208(a)

The licensee shall have and maintain a current, written definitive plan of operation for the facility. The licensee shall operate the facility in accordance with the terms specified in the plan of operation and may be cited for not doing so pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 1569.49. The plan and related materials shall be on file in the facility and shall be submitted to the licensing agency with the license application. Any significant changes in the plan of operation which would affect the services to residents shall be submitted to the licensing agency for approval. The plan and related materials shall contain the following:

From the field

What operators tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

Pull your plan of operation once a year and read it against how the community actually runs today. LPAs ask for it early in a visit, and 123 California RCFEs have been cited under Section 87208(a). An outdated plan, or one you cannot find, is an easy Type B citation.

By the numbers

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

136 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 Plan of Operation

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

Common practices

Keep a current written plan of operation on file at the facility
Operate the community according to the terms of the plan
Submit the plan and related materials to the licensing agency
Submit significant service changes for approval before making them

What to avoid

Plan on file is outdated and no longer matches actual operations
Changing services or admission policy without licensing approval
Cannot produce the plan when an LPA asks for it
Plan exists but daily practice has drifted away from it

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 Plan of Operation, last 90 days
County	Citations
Los Angeles	48
Riverside	12
Orange	7
Sacramento	6
Ventura	5
Monterey	5
San Joaquin	5
Contra Costa	4
San Bernardino	4
Marin	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 plan of operation violation?

It is a Type B citation issued when an RCFE lacks a current written plan of operation, keeps one on file but does not follow it, or fails to submit significant changes for approval. Title 22, Section 87208(a) requires the plan and related materials to stay on file and to match how the community actually runs. LPAs ask for the plan and compare it to daily practice.

How common is this violation in California assisted living?

It is a common administrative finding in California assisted living. According to CCLD inspection records, 123 California RCFEs have been cited under Section 87208(a), with Los Angeles County far ahead at 50 citations. The violation is classified Type B, a potential risk if left uncorrected, and it often signals a gap between what is on file and how the facility runs.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for a plan of operation deficiency?

The LPA documents the citation and sets a correction date, usually requiring an updated plan on file. Type B citations carry civil penalties and are less serious than Type A findings, but Health and Safety Code section 1569.49 allows CCLD to cite an operator for not running the facility per the plan. The analyst will recheck the plan and may compare it to your actual practices on a follow-up visit.

How do I fix or prevent plan of operation citations?

Review your plan of operation at least once a year and after any major change in services, capacity, or admission policy. Keep the current version and all related materials on file at the facility where an LPA can find them. Submit significant service changes to Community Care Licensing for approval before you make them. Make sure staff practice matches what the plan describes.

Does a plan of operation violation affect my RCFE license?

Yes, indirectly. The plan of operation is part of your license application, so CCLD takes gaps seriously. One Type B citation will not revoke your license, but Community Care Licensing records it under Section 87208(a), and unapproved service changes or repeat findings can lead to administrative action. Keeping a current, accurate plan on file protects your license and your residents.

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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