diff --git a/channels/generic/websockets.py b/channels/generic/websockets.py
index b5d5cd7..d82c9fe 100644
--- a/channels/generic/websockets.py
+++ b/channels/generic/websockets.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ class WebsocketConsumer(BaseConsumer):
         """
         message = {}
         if close:
-            message["close"] = True
+            message["close"] = close
         if text is not None:
             message["text"] = text
         elif bytes is not None:
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ class WebsocketConsumer(BaseConsumer):
     def group_send(cls, name, text=None, bytes=None, close=False):
         message = {}
         if close:
-            message["close"] = True
+            message["close"] = close
         if text is not None:
             message["text"] = text
         elif bytes is not None:
@@ -117,11 +117,11 @@ class WebsocketConsumer(BaseConsumer):
             raise ValueError("You must pass text or bytes")
         Group(name).send(message)
 
-    def close(self):
+    def close(self, status=True):
         """
         Closes the WebSocket from the server end
         """
-        self.message.reply_channel.send({"close": True})
+        self.message.reply_channel.send({"close": status})
 
     def raw_disconnect(self, message, **kwargs):
         """
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ class WebsocketConsumer(BaseConsumer):
 
     def disconnect(self, message, **kwargs):
         """
-        Called when a WebSocket connection is opened.
+        Called when a WebSocket connection is closed.
         """
         pass
 
diff --git a/docs/asgi.rst b/docs/asgi.rst
index 76b1f7b..914f061 100644
--- a/docs/asgi.rst
+++ b/docs/asgi.rst
@@ -841,14 +841,15 @@ message:
 
 * If ``bytes`` or ``text`` is present, accept the connection and send the data.
 * If ``accept`` is ``True``, accept the connection and do nothing else.
-* If ``close`` is ``True``, reject the connection. If ``bytes`` or ``text`` is
-  also set, it should accept the connection, send the frame, then immediately
-  close the connection.
+* If ``close`` is ``True`` or a positive integer, reject the connection. If
+  ``bytes`` or ``text`` is also set, it should accept the connection, send the
+  frame, then immediately close the connection.
 
 If received while the connection is established:
 
 * If ``bytes`` or ``text`` is present, send the data.
-* If ``close`` is ``True``, close the connection after any send.
+* If ``close`` is ``True`` or a positive integer, close the connection after
+  any send.
 * ``accept`` is ignored.
 
 Channel: ``websocket.send!``
@@ -859,8 +860,10 @@ Keys:
 
 * ``text``: Unicode string of frame content, if in text mode, or ``None``.
 
-* ``close``: Boolean saying if the connection should be closed after data
-  is sent, if any. Optional, default ``False``.
+* ``close``: Boolean indicating if the connection should be closed after
+  data is sent, if any. Alternatively, a positive integer specifying the
+  response code. The response code will be 1000 if you pass ``True``.
+  Optional, default ``False``.
 
 * ``accept``: Boolean saying if the connection should be accepted without
   sending a frame if it is in the handshake phase.
diff --git a/docs/generics.rst b/docs/generics.rst
index 09acf13..c7caeee 100644
--- a/docs/generics.rst
+++ b/docs/generics.rst
@@ -172,8 +172,8 @@ Note that this subclass still can't intercept ``Group.send()`` calls to make
 them into JSON automatically, but it does provide ``self.group_send(name, content)``
 that will do this for you if you call it explicitly.
 
-``self.close()`` is also provided to easily close the WebSocket from the server
-end once you are done with it.
+``self.close()`` is also provided to easily close the WebSocket from the
+server end with an optional status code once you are done with it.
 
 .. _multiplexing: