Lancaster, CA Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)

36, enacted by Ordinance 740 in 1998, ties restaurant grading to the Los Angeles County health officer's routine inspections. 050, the health officer scores each food establishment numerically in the food official inspection report and issues a letter grade: 'A' for a final score of 90 percent or higher, 'B' for a score below 90 but not less than 80 percent, and 'C' for a score below 80 but not less than 70 percent. The health officer has discretion to post the letter grade card, an inspection score card, or both, and may immediately close any establishment that does not achieve a 'C' grade or whose numerical score falls below 70 percent.

090 requires that once issued, the card be posted so it is clearly visible to the public and patrons: in the front window within five feet of the front door, in an outside display case within five feet of the door, or in another location the health officer designates. Where a food establishment shares a building or patron entrance with another licensed business, the card goes in the initial patron contact area. The card cannot be defaced, marred, camouflaged, hidden or removed, and it is unlawful to operate without the required card in place.

Every establishment must also post a sign directing public health concerns to the County of Los Angeles Environmental Health office, and must keep the underlying inspection report on-site for public review until the next routine inspection. 100.