Bernalillo County, NM Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code § 42-306
- Grades
- Approved, On Notice, Unsatisfactory
- Temporary vendors
- Exempt from grading
- Unsatisfactory grace period
- 30 days to reinspect
Summary
Bernalillo County requires every food service establishment to post an inspection grade placard reading Approved, Unsatisfactory, or On Notice, based on the environmental health authority's most recent inspection report.
Every food service establishment in the county shall display, in a place designated by the regulatory authority, a placard approved by the regulatory authority stating the grade of the food service establishment; provided, however, that temporary food service establishments shall not be subject to grading. Grades of food service establishments shall be as follows: (1) Approved... (2) Unsatisfactory... (3) On notice.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).
Full Breakdown
Under County Code § 42-306, every food service establishment must display a placard, in a location the environmental health authority designates, stating its grade. "Approved" means no continuing critical or consecutive violations. "On Notice" applies when critical violations are found or the same violation repeats on consecutive inspections. "Unsatisfactory" applies when a violation persists across consecutive inspections or a critical violation remains uncorrected; an establishment downgraded to Unsatisfactory can operate for up to 30 days before regrading, and may request reinspection at any time to move back up. Temporary food service establishments are exempt from grading. This applies to the Environmental Health Code administered by the county, which covers food establishments countywide, not just unincorporated areas.
Violations & Fines
Grade drops to Unsatisfactory for repeat or uncorrected critical violations; operation is limited to 30 days at that grade before reinspection or closure, and violating the Environmental Health Code is a misdemeanor under § 8-911.10 as adopted by the county, punishable per § 1-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grades can a Bernalillo County restaurant receive?
How long can a restaurant operate after being graded Unsatisfactory?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
Compare Bernalillo County to another location·View the New Mexico public health rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.