California Code § 101239(e)(1): Hot Water Temperature Limits
What Is California Code § 101239(e)(1): Hot Water Temperature Limits?
California Code § 101239(e)(1)
Hot water temperature controls shall be maintained to automatically regulate temperature of hot water delivered to plumbing fixtures used by children to attain a hot water temperature of not less than 105 degrees F (40.5 degrees C) and not more than 120 degrees F (48.8 degrees C).
💬What Providers Tell Us
Based on community experience — not official guidance
Inspectors carry thermometers and test faucets children can access. They run the hot water for 30 seconds and check the temperature. Anything below 105°F or above 120°F is an automatic citation. The most common failure is water that's too hot because the facility's water heater is set to a standard residential 140°F and nobody installed or maintained a mixing valve. Check your hot water temperature at every child-accessible faucet monthly, not just the one in the bathroom. Kitchen sinks, art room sinks, and any faucet a child could reach all count. Buy a cheap kitchen thermometer and keep a log.
Source: California CCLD inspection records | Data as of Mar 19, 2026. Updated weekly.
2 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days.
Is yours one of them? Find out in 30 seconds.
What Other Providers Do for Hot Water Temperature Limits
Common practices shared by providers. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.
✓ Common Practices
❌ Common Mistakes
- Setting the water heater temperature for the whole building without installing mixing valves at child-accessible fixtures. Providers adjust the main heater down to 120°F, which can cause it to drop below 105°F at distant faucets while staying too hot near the heater. Inspectors test at the fixture, not at the heater.
- Not testing water temperature after plumbing repairs or seasonal changes. A plumber who services the water heater may reset it to factory default (usually 140°F). Providers don't recheck until the next inspection, and by then a child could be burned. Inspectors ask when you last verified the temperature.
- Forgetting about rarely used sinks. That utility sink in the back room or the bathroom faucet children only use during field prep still needs to be within range. Inspectors test every fixture children could access, not just the ones in regular use.
- Assuming anti-scald devices eliminate the need for temperature monitoring. Mixing valves and anti-scald devices can fail or drift over time. Inspectors test actual output temperature regardless of what devices are installed.
What's Being Cited in Each Region Over the Past 90 Days
Based on facility inspection reports filed with California's Community Care Licensing Division, here's how this citation appears across different regions in the past 90 days.
Data updated weekly from CCLD public records. Last update: 3/19/2026
A single Type A citation can cost $150–$500+ in civil penalties — not counting the follow-up inspection it triggers.
Stay Ready for § 101239(e)(1)
Stay inspection-ready. Cancel anytime.
Family Child Care
1-14 children · 1-3 staff
Founding member price — locked forever
- ✓Compliance score dashboard with category breakdown
- ✓12-week compliance score trend chart
- ✓6-factor risk assessment widget
- ✓Facility intel widget (risk level, changes, nearby activity)
- ✓Citation intelligence (consequences, patterns, county stats)
Child Care Center
15+ children · 4+ staff
Founding member price — locked forever
- ✓Compliance score dashboard with category breakdown
- ✓12-week compliance score trend chart
- ✓6-factor risk assessment widget
- ✓Facility intel widget (risk level, changes, nearby activity)
- ✓Citation intelligence (consequences, patterns, county stats)
Not ready to commit?
Check your facility's compliance status — free✓ 30-day money-back guarantee · ✓ Cancel anytime
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.
What is the Hot Water Temperature Control Requirement?
How common is this citation?
What triggers this citation during an inspection?
How can I prevent this citation?
What should I do if I receive this citation?
Related Violations
This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed childcare compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.