Los Angeles County, CA Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)
Key Facts
- A grade
- 90% or higher
- B grade
- 80–89%
- C grade
- 70–79%
- Closure threshold
- Below 70% (below C)
Summary
LA County Health Officer assigns letter grades A, B, or C to food facilities based on a 100-point inspection score, and may immediately close any facility that scores below 70 percent; the grade card must be posted within 5 feet of the front door.
D.The County Health Officer, in the County Health Officer's discretion, may immediately close any Food Facility which, upon completion of the Routine Inspection, does not achieve at least a "C" grade as defined herein. Nothing in this provision shall prohibit the County Health Officer from immediately closing any Food Facility if, in the County Health Officer's discretion, immediate closure is necessary to protect the public health.E.The letter grade for a Food Facility shall be based upon the final numerical percentage score set forth in the Food Official Inspection Report, as follows:1.A grade of "A" shall indicate a final score of ninety (90) percent or higher as determined by the County Health Officer;2.A grade of "B" shall indicate a final score less than ninety (90) percent but not less than eighty (80) percent as determined by the County Health Officer;3.A grade of "C" shall indicate a final score less than eighty (80) percent but not less than seventy (70) percent as determined by the County Health Officer.
Full Breakdown
Section 8.04.225 (Ord. 97-0071, as amended by Ord. 2024-0008) establishes the grading system for food facilities. The Scoring Method subtracts violation values from 100 to produce a percentage score. An A grade requires 90% or higher; B requires 80-89%; C requires 70-79%. The County Health Officer may immediately close any facility scoring below C (below 70%), and retains discretion to close any facility when necessary to protect public health regardless of score. Under § 8.04.752(A), the grade card must be posted so as to be clearly visible to the public, specifically within 5 feet of the front door or in a display case mounted on the outside front wall within 5 feet of the front door. Removing or defacing the card is a violation.
Violations & Fines
Operating a food facility with a score below 70% may result in immediate closure. Removing, defacing, or hiding the letter grade card is a separate violation that may result in permit suspension or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a restaurant hide the grade card?
Can the Health Officer close a restaurant with a B grade?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
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