Alhambra, CA Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)
Key Facts
- Grade A threshold
- 90% or higher score
- Grade B threshold
- 80% to 89.9% score
- Grade C threshold
- 70% to 79.9% score
- Posting location
- within 5 feet of front door
- Complaint contact
- Alhambra Code Enforcement (626) 570-3230
- Violation class
- infraction under § 1.12.011
Summary
Alhambra Municipal Code § 6.15.040 requires every retail food establishment to post the Los Angeles County health officer's letter grade or score card within five feet of the front door. Grades run A (90%+), B (80-89%) or C (70-79%). Operating without a posted card, or defacing one, is unlawful.
Upon issuance by the county health officer, the health officer shall post at every retail food establishment the letter grade card, the inspection score card, or both, as determined by the county health officer, so as to be clearly visible to the general public and to patrons entering the establishment... The letter grade card and the inspection score card shall not be defaced, marred, camouflaged, hidden or removed. ... It shall be unlawful to operate a food establishment unless the letter grade card, the inspection score card, or both, as determined by the county health officer, is or are in place as set forth hereunder. Removal of the letter grade card, the inspection score card, or both, is a violation of this chapter and shall be punishable as specified in § 6.15.090 of this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 4851, passed 10-27-25).
Full Breakdown
010). 040 requires the county health officer to post the letter grade card, inspection score card, or both, so it is clearly visible to patrons: in the front window within five feet of the front door, in an outside display case within five feet of the door, or in a location the health officer or code enforcement personnel directs. Where a food establishment shares a building or entrance with another licensed business, the card goes in the initial patron contact area. The card cannot be defaced, marred, camouflaged, hidden or removed, and operating without the required card in place is itself unlawful.
Establishments must also post a sign directing public-health complaints to the Los Angeles County Environmental Health Office or to the City of Alhambra Code Enforcement Office at 111 South First Street, (626) 570-3230. 060 the card stays valid until that next inspection. 070 lets the county health officer immediately close any establishment scoring below a "C" or under 70%, posting a closure notice on the entrance door stating the reason, until reopened by the health officer.
Violations & Fines
Removing, defacing, hiding or failing to post the required letter grade or score card is a violation of Chapter 6.15 and is punishable under § 6.15.090 as an infraction, per the citywide infraction schedule in § 1.12.011 with fines set by City Council resolution. Code enforcement personnel enforce the chapter, assisted by the Chief of Police, and each day the violation continues is a separate offense. Establishments scoring below a "C" grade or under 70% face immediate closure by the county health officer under § 6.15.070.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grade must an Alhambra restaurant display?
Can a restaurant cover up or remove its grade card?
What happens if a restaurant scores below a C grade?
Where do I report a health concern about an Alhambra restaurant?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alhambra
California rules heatmap·Compare Alhambra to another location·View the California public health rules overview
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How other cities in Los Angeles County handle restaurant grade cards.