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Violation

California Code § 101171(a)(1)Fire Clearance Process

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 Child Care Centers
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 § 101171(a)(1) actually says

California Code § 101171(a)(1)

The request for fire clearance shall be made through and maintained by the Department.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

This one trips up providers who try to handle fire clearance directly with their local fire department. The clearance must go through CCLD, not through your own request to the fire marshal. If you contact the fire department yourself and get an inspection, that doesn't count for licensing purposes. CCLD coordinates the request, receives the clearance, and maintains it in your file. Inspectors check whether your clearance is current in CCLD's system, not whether you have a piece of paper from the fire department. If your clearance is expiring, contact your licensing analyst to initiate the renewal process well in advance.

By the numbers

0*CCLD
facilities cited in the last 90 days

That is 1 in 100 facilities CCLD inspected.

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly

0*CCLD
counties where this citation appeared

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly

154*CCLD
rank among most-common citations

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly

Trajectory
No citations in the past 90 days

Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.

What other providers do

Common practices to stay clear of Fire Clearance Process

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

Common practices

What to avoid

  • Requesting fire clearance directly from the local fire department instead of going through CCLD. Providers assume any fire inspection satisfies the requirement, but the regulation specifically states clearance must be 'made through and maintained by the Department.' A fire inspection you arranged yourself doesn't appear in CCLD's tracking system.
  • Not tracking fire clearance expiration dates independently. Providers rely on CCLD to notify them when renewal is due, but delays in the state system can result in a lapsed clearance discovered during a licensing visit. Keep your own calendar reminder 90 days before expiration.
  • Assuming fire clearance transfers when you renovate or change your facility layout. Major modifications, room repurposing, or capacity changes can require a new fire clearance. Providers complete renovations and don't realize their existing clearance may no longer cover the modified space.
  • Losing track of clearance documentation during ownership or director changes. The clearance is maintained by CCLD, but during transitions, providers sometimes can't confirm its status. Inspectors verify clearance is current in the state system, and if there's any gap, it's cited immediately.

Public record

Check any facility for § 101171(a)(1)

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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 Fire Clearance Requirement?
California Code 101171(a)(1) requires that fire department clearance for your facility be requested through and maintained by the state licensing department (CCLD), not arranged independently by you. This means contacting your local fire department for an inspection on your own doesn't satisfy the requirement, even if they give you a passing report. For your facility, this affects how you handle initial licensing, renewals, and any situation where your clearance is expiring or your space has been modified.
How common is this citation?
According to California CCLD inspection records as of March 15, 2026, 2 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 1 California county. Both citations occurred in Butte County. The citation ratio is roughly 1 in 20,000 inspected facilities. While rare, fire clearance issues are difficult to resolve quickly because the process depends on coordination between CCLD and the local fire authority, which can take weeks.
What triggers this citation during an inspection?
Inspectors verify your fire clearance status in CCLD's tracking system, not from any paper documents you have on hand. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, they flag expired clearances, clearances that were never properly initiated through the state system, and clearances that no longer cover modified facility spaces. If you arranged a fire inspection yourself and have a passing report from the fire department, inspectors still cite you because the clearance wasn't routed through CCLD's official process.
How can I prevent this citation?
Contact your CCLD licensing analyst to initiate or renew fire clearance. Never go directly to the fire department. Set your own calendar reminder 90 days before expiration since the state system doesn't always send timely notifications. After any renovation, room repurposing, or capacity change, ask your licensing analyst whether a new fire clearance is needed. During ownership or director transitions, confirm your clearance status in CCLD's system immediately.
What should I do if I receive this citation?
Contact your CCLD licensing analyst immediately to initiate the proper fire clearance request through the state system. Document the date you made the request and keep all written correspondence. If your clearance lapsed due to a renovation or layout change, inform your analyst about the modifications so the new clearance covers the current space. Include these steps and dates in your Plan of Correction. For complex situations, consider consulting a licensed childcare compliance specialist.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed child 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.