Restaurant Grade Cards: Bellevue vs Seattle
How do restaurant grade cards rules compare between Bellevue, WA and Seattle, WA?
Bellevue has fewer restrictions than Seattle.
Bellevue, WA
King County
Public Health Seattle and King County posts color-coded inspection placards at restaurants countywide. Cards rate facilities Excellent, Good, OK, or Needs to Improve based on red and blue critical violation points scored over four prior inspections.
View full Bellevue rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Public Health Seattle King County inspects every food establishment 1-3 times yearly, scoring violations numerically. Since 2017, restaurants must post a color-coded sign — Excellent, Good, OK, or Needs Improvement — at the entrance.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bellevue | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | Public Health Seattle King County | - |
| Ratings | Excellent, Good, OK, Needs Improve | - |
| Window | Last four inspections | - |
| Min inspections | At least annual | - |
| Regulator | - | PHSKC |
| Placard since | - | 2017 |
| Tiers | - | 4 (smiley to frowny) |
| Inspections/year | - | 1-3 unannounced |
| Score basis | - | Rolling 4 inspections |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bellevue FAQ
Where is the placard posted?
Near the main customer entrance in clear public view, with the rating side facing outward so diners can read it before entering.
Can I look up scores online?
Yes. PHSKC publishes every inspection result on its food safety lookup site, searchable by restaurant name, address, or neighborhood.
Seattle FAQ
How do I find a Seattle restaurant's inspection record?
Search 'Food Safety Rating' on kingcounty.gov. PHSKC publishes every inspection's date, score, violations, and current placard tier publicly.
What does a 'Needs Improvement' placard mean?
The restaurant scored worst-quartile across its last four inspections. PHSKC requires re-inspection within 14 days; persistent failure leads to closure.
Compare other topics
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