Public Health Rules in San Mateo County, CA (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in San Mateo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Restaurant Grade Cards
San Mateo County Environmental Health posts a compliance placard at every inspected food facility under Ordinance Code § 4.56.070, and it is unlawful to operate without the placard visible near the main entrance.
San Mateo County Restaurant Placard Posting
Some RestrictionsSan Mateo County Ordinance Code § 4.56.070
Upon completion of a routine inspection or re-inspection of a food facility, Environmental Health Services Division staff (staff) shall post at the food facility the appropriate placard, as determined by the Director of Environmental Health Services Division (Director), or his or her designee, indicating the compliance status of said food facility with respect to food handling practices. The pl...
Rodent Control
Unincorporated San Mateo County property owners may not maintain a building, lot, vehicle or premises in a condition that lets rodents or other vermin breed or harbor there, under Ordinance Code Sec. 4.80.010. Rodent-attracting material must sit at least 18 inches off the ground, and food-handling structures must be built rodent-proof under Sections 4.80.020 and 4.80.060.
San Mateo County Rodent Control Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Mateo County Ordinance Code § 4.80.010, § 4.80.020
4.80.010 - Prohibition. No Person shall occupy, maintain, or allow others to occupy or maintain, any building, lot, premises, vehicle or other place over which he has ownership or control, in a condition which permits the breeding or harboring of rodents, flies, fleas, lice, mosquitoes, cockroaches, ticks, bedbugs, or other vermin. (Prior code § 4850; Ord. 2413, 01/11/77) 4.80.020 - Additional ...
Food Handler Certification
After a hearing finds repeated critical food-safety violations or unsafe staff practices, County Environmental Health can order a food facility to send all food-prep staff to an approved handler class under Ordinance Code § 4.56.080.
San Mateo County Mandatory Food Safety Training
Some RestrictionsSan Mateo County Ordinance Code § 4.56.080
When the County Health Officer, or his/her designee, during an administrative hearing, determines either of the following: a.Repeated violation of critical factors affecting food safety, as defined in CURFFL Section 113946; orb.The owner or employee with the Food Safety Certification has failed to ensure that all employees who handle unpackaged food have sufficient knowledge and understandin...
Public Health Rules by City in San Mateo County
1 cities in San Mateo County have their own public health rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All San Mateo County ordinances
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