Apple Valley, CA Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)
Key Facts
- Grading system
- San Bernardino County's, by reference
- Adopted County chapter
- Title 3, Div. 3, Ch. 14
- Also adopted
- County Code § 16.0213 B(b)(17)
- Grade card rule
- Must stay posted, undefaced
- Operating without posted grade
- Unlawful
- Penalty source
- County Code § 33.0112 + Town Title 1
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord. 292, 5-10-2005
Summary
Apple Valley adopts San Bernardino County's letter-grade restaurant inspection system by reference under Chapter 6.50 rather than running its own program. Every food establishment must post the County-issued grade card, and removing, hiding or defacing it is a Town Code violation that can trigger suspension of the operator's Public Health Permit.
In accordance with Section 33.1406(c) of the San Bernardino County Code, "The letter grade card shall not be defaced, marred, camouflaged, hidden or removed. It shall be unlawful to operate a food establishment unless the letter grade is posted. Removal of the letter grade card is a violation of this Chapter and may result in the suspension or revocation of the Public Health Permit and shall be punishable as specified in Section 33.0112 of the San Bernardino County Code." In addition, violations of this Section may be punishable in accordance with Sections 101.200 through 101.230 of Title 1 of the Town of Apple Valley Municipal Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Section 6.50.010 adopts Chapter 14 of Division 3 of Title 3 of the San Bernardino County Code, plus Subsection 16.0213 B(b)(17) of Chapter 2, Division 6, Title 1 of the County Code, and designates those County provisions as the Town's own Inspection Grading of Food Establishments Code. Apple Valley therefore has no separate municipal inspection or grading staff; County health inspectors grade food establishments under the County scheme and issue the letter card the Town requires businesses to display. Section 6.50.020 carries the County's own enforcement language into Town law: the letter grade card cannot be defaced, marred, camouflaged, hidden or removed, and it is unlawful to operate a food establishment unless the letter grade is posted. Removing the card is a Chapter 6.50 violation and can lead to suspension or revocation of the establishment's Public Health Permit, punishable under Section 33.0112 of the County Code. The ordinance behind this Chapter, Ord. 292, was adopted May 10, 2005.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the posted letter grade, or defacing, camouflaging or removing the card, is punishable as specified in Section 33.1406(c) and Section 33.0112 of the San Bernardino County Code, and violations may also be prosecuted under Sections 101.200 through 101.230 of Title 1 of the Town of Apple Valley Municipal Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who inspects restaurants in Apple Valley?
Can a restaurant hide a low grade card?
What County provisions does Apple Valley rely on?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Apple Valley
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Restaurant Grade Cards in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle restaurant grade cards.