Dothan, AL Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)

Dothan City Code Sec. 18-196 conditions every restaurant business license on health department sign-off: the city clerk cannot issue a license for operating a cafe, lunch stand or eating establishment of any kind until the license application is accompanied by a certificate from the county health officer confirming the establishment has been inspected and meets public health law requirements. The city does not operate its own grading or letter-placard inspection program; the substantive food-safety inspection and certification is performed by the county health officer, and the city's role under this section is to withhold the business license until that certificate is on file.

Because the certificate is a licensing prerequisite rather than a stand-alone permit, an eating establishment that opens or continues operating without a current health certificate is also operating without a valid business license, exposing it to the city's licensing enforcement in addition to any state health department action. Chapter 18's general licensing provisions govern renewal timing and license display for businesses citywide, and the same certificate requirement applies whenever a restaurant renews its license, not just at initial opening. Owners should route their county health certificate through the city clerk's office alongside the standard business license application rather than assuming the county certificate alone satisfies the city's requirement.