Imperial County, CA Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)
Key Facts
- Posting location
- Within 5 ft of front door
- Card validity
- Until next routine inspection
- Exempt facilities
- Schools, jails, cottage food ops
- Tampering
- Separate chapter violation
Summary
Imperial County requires every food facility to post its letter grade card or inspection score card where patrons can clearly see it, and makes removing or hiding the card a separate violation.
The letter grade card and the inspection score card shall not be defaced, marred, reproduced, copied, camouflaged, hidden or removed. It is unlawful to operate a food facility unless the letter grade card or the inspection score card as determined by the county health officer, is in place as set forth hereunder. Removal of the letter grade card or the inspection score 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 8.02.090.4.Detention facilities, private schools, public schools, and cottage food operations shall not be required to post a letter grade card or inspection score card.5.The food official inspection report upon which the letter grade card or the inspection score card is based and all subsequent reports issued by the county health officer shall be maintained at the food facility and shall be available to the general public and to patrons for review upon request. The food facility shall keep the food official inspection report and all subsequent reports until such time as the county health officer completes the next routine inspection of the facility and issues a new food official inspection report. (Ord. No. 1588, § II, 12-19-23)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).
Full Breakdown
Once issued, the county health officer requires the letter grade card or inspection score card be posted in the front window within five feet of the door, or in a display case on the outside front wall within five feet of the door; on a mobile unit it goes next to the pass-out window. The card may not be defaced, marred, camouflaged, hidden, or removed: doing so is a chapter violation and can lead to suspension or revocation of the health permit. Detention facilities, private and public schools, and cottage food operations are exempt from posting. The card stays valid until the county's next routine inspection (§8.02.110).
Violations & Fines
Removing, defacing, or hiding a posted grade card is a violation that can trigger suspension or revocation of the food facility's health permit, on top of the infraction or misdemeanor penalties in §8.02.090.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where must a restaurant post its grade card in Imperial County?
Can a restaurant take down a low grade card?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Imperial County
California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California public health rules overview
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