Inspection Report Summary for Watermark Laguna Niguel

Watermark Laguna Niguel, a 135‑bed Residential Care Facility for the Elderly, has demonstrated continuous compliance across several inspections. The first visit on 26 July 2023 was a COMP II interview in which Administrator Christopher Tharp confirmed his knowledge of Title 22 regulations, admission policies, staffing requirements, and emergency procedures. The facility was noted to have zero residents in census at that time, and the interview set the stage for its forthcoming licensing process.

A pre‑licensing inspection on 9 August 2023 confirmed that the building’s physical plant—three stories with 78 assisted‑living and 38 memory‑care rooms—met all statutory standards. Observations highlighted secured medicine rooms, locked toxin storage, functioning fire suppression systems, and fully stocked emergency supplies. The inspector also verified that the fire clearance had been granted by the Orange County Fire Authority and that all plumbing and electrical systems were operational. No deficiencies were cited, and the report noted that the final application approval would be issued by the Centralized Applications Bureau.

Annual required inspections in 2024 (12 August) and 2025 (25 August) were unannounced and, again, found no deficiencies. Inspectors Joseph Alejandre, Ruth Martinez, and Garlli Tat documented that the memory‑care unit’s delayed egress remained functional, all stairways carried evacuation chairs, and that residents’ rooms had required furnishings. Medication storage remained locked, staff training records were complete, and food and water supplies met emergency standards. The 2025 report also confirmed a hospice waiver for 25 residents and noted the change in leadership to Director James Howland.

Across all visits, Watermark Laguna Niguel consistently met California’s health‑and‑human‑services standards, with no cited violations and a clear record of safe, well‑managed resident care.