Class Code 8804
Substance Use Disorder Recovery Homes; Social Rehab Facilities For Adults
Class Code 8804 covers California residential substance use disorder recovery homes and adult social rehabilitation facilities where staff provide non‑medical supervision, life‑skills support and social stabilization. This category carries a September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate of $2.736 per $100 of payroll — a baseline used by insurers to price expected loss costs for these operations.
What Class Code 8804 Covers
This class applies to non‑medical, adult residential recovery settings and social rehabilitation programs: sober living houses, peer‑run recovery residences, and residential social rehab facilities that provide room, board, supervision, case‑management referrals and psychosocial support rather than clinical inpatient treatment. Typical operations include 24/7 house management, overnight monitoring, relapse prevention groups, curfew enforcement, life‑skills coaching, meal service, housekeeping and basic transportation to appointments. It does not generally include licensed inpatient detox or hospital‑based treatment (those operations are classified elsewhere). The classification encompasses both small single‑house residences and larger multi‑bed facilities where employees are on payroll and handle the day‑to‑day supervision and facility upkeep.
Who It Applies To
- Sober living and recovery residence owners/operators
- Resident managers and house supervisors (including live‑in staff)
- Peer recovery coaches and direct support staff (non‑licensed)
- Night monitors and crisis response staff
- On‑site cooks, housekeepers and maintenance workers
- Intake coordinators and administrative staff employed by the facility
Common Job Duties
- Supervising residents, enforcing house rules and curfews
- Leading or facilitating peer support groups and daily check‑ins
- Crisis de‑escalation, behavioral intervention and calling emergency services
- Performing cleaning, laundry, meal preparation and basic facility maintenance
- Administering or dispensing naloxone in emergencies and documenting incidents
- Transporting residents to appointments or court (when provided by the facility)
- Completing resident intake paperwork, progress notes and coordination with outside counselors
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $2.736 Rate
The approved pure premium rate of $2.736 per $100 of payroll represents the insurer's estimated cost of losses (medical + indemnity) for this classification per unit of payroll. Insurers multiply your payroll (divided by 100) by this pure premium, then add expense/loading factors and adjust for your experience modification (EMR) to determine the final premium. Final cost is affected by your claims history, size and mix of payroll (night vs day staff), safety programs, location and how accurately employees are classified.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
California employers for recovery homes must maintain a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) under Title 8 CCR §3203 and provide training and hazard communication for cleaning agents. Because staff can be exposed to syringes and blood, the Bloodborne Pathogens standard (Title 8 CCR §5193) applies for exposure control and post‑exposure procedures. Employers should also implement workplace violence prevention practices used in health and social services (training, risk assessment, response plans), maintain emergency action plans and report serious injuries to Cal/OSHA as required.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 8804
A PEO like Key HR can centralize workers' comp placement, handle claims management with specialized adjusters familiar with recovery home exposures, and deliver tailored loss‑control programs (de‑escalation training, naloxone protocols, safe handling of sharps). Key HR can also standardize hiring checks, develop IIPPs and workplace violence prevention plans, and run return‑to‑work programs that reduce lost time and lower your experience modifier over time.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 8804 include licensed clinical counselors who provide therapy on site?
Not usually. 8804 is for non‑medical residential and social rehab operations. If your facility employs licensed clinical staff who provide professional therapy or medical services, those employees or operations may be classified under a different WCIRB code; discuss specific job duties with underwriting to ensure accurate classification.
Are volunteers and unpaid residents included in payroll for workers' comp rating?
Volunteers and unpaid residents generally are not included in payroll used to calculate premium. However, any person on payroll (paid staff, stipends, or third‑party contractors on your payroll) must be reported and will affect classification and premiums. Employers should also consider whether they want to extend coverage to volunteers through policy endorsements.
What practical safety steps lower claims and premium for recovery homes?
Implement a written IIPP and workplace violence prevention plan, train staff in de‑escalation and naloxone use, enforce safe sharps disposal, conduct background checks, maintain incident reporting and early return‑to‑work programs, and keep detailed job descriptions to ensure correct classification — all of which reduce claim frequency and help lower your experience modification over time.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 8804
- Classification
- Substance Use Disorder Recovery Homes; Social Rehab Facilities For Adults
- Pure Premium Rate
- $2.736 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
Key HR provides pay-as-you-go workers' comp for California employers — no large deposits, no audits, better rates.
Get a Quoteor call (800) 922-4133Ready to Simplify Workers' Comp for Class Code 8804?
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