National City, CA Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)
Key Facts
- Posting requirement
- Permit and grade card posted conspicuously
- Outside wall distance
- Within five feet of the front door
- Approving official
- Health officer, the San Diego County Director of Public Health
- Governing county text
- San Diego County Ordinance No. 2443, adopted in § 9.04.010
- Card condition
- Protected from weather, not defaced or hidden
- Penalty
- Infraction under § 9.04.140
Summary
In National City, every health permit and alphabetical grade card must be posted in a conspicuous place in the establishment. Grade cards go in the front window, in a display case on the outside of the front door, or on the outside front wall within five feet of the door, and cannot be defaced or hidden.
Each health permit and/or alphabetical grade card issued shall be kept posted in a conspicuous place in the establishment for which the permit is issued. The health officer shall prescribe the location in or on the establishment where such permit shall be kept posted. Alphabetical grade cards shall be posted in the front window of the establishment so as to be clearly visible to patrons entering the establishment, or in a display case mounted on the outside of the front door, or in a display case mounted on the outside front wall of the establishment within five feet of the front door, or in some other location clearly visible to patrons entering the establishment which has been approved by the health officer. The alphabetical grade card shall be protected from damage by weather conditions and shall not be defaced, marred, or camouflaged or hidden so as to prevent the general public from observing it.
Full Breakdown
The posting rule is National City Municipal Code § 9.04.087, which restates Section 61.120 of the San Diego County food ordinance as adopted in Chapter 9.04, Food Regulations. Section 9.04.010 adopts San Diego County Ordinance No. 2443 on the preparation and distribution of food by reference, subject to the city's amendments, so the inspection and grading system itself is the county's. Chapter 9.04 does not restate the scoring; it amends and adopts the county text.
Placement: each health permit and alphabetical grade card must be kept posted in a conspicuous place in the establishment for which the permit is issued, and the health officer prescribes the location where the permit is posted. A grade card must be posted in one of four places: in the front window so it is clearly visible to patrons entering; in a display case mounted on the outside of the front door; in a display case mounted on the outside front wall within five feet of the front door; or in some other location clearly visible to patrons entering that the health officer has approved.
Condition: the card must be protected from damage by weather conditions and cannot be defaced, marred, camouflaged or hidden so as to prevent the general public from observing it. A card taped behind a menu stand or covered by a decal is out of compliance.
Who inspects: § 9.04.040 amends the county definition so that Health Officer means the San Diego County Director of Public Health acting as the Health Officer of the City of National City, along with any regularly appointed sanitarian or employee of the County of San Diego Department of Public Health. City ordinances, county ordinances and state health law also apply to food vending vehicles under § 9.04.120.
County fees: § 9.06.110(U) requires persons and businesses that need a health-related permit or service from the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health to pay the county fee established in the County Code, including delinquent payment fees.
Violations & Fines
Under § 9.04.140, any violation of Sections 9.04.010 through 9.04.130, which includes the posting rule in § 9.04.087, constitutes an infraction punishable as prescribed in Section 1.20.010. A person guilty of a separate offense under § 9.04.010 is guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which the violation was committed, existed or continued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where must a National City restaurant post its grade card?
Who decides where the health permit goes?
Can I cover or move my grade card?
What is the penalty for not posting?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in National City
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How other cities in San Diego County handle restaurant grade cards.