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New York, NY Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Penalty
$500 per violation
Requirement
post grade card or grade-pending card
Grading scale source
Health Code § 81.51
Enforcer
NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene
Cure exception
none for this violation

Summary

New York City restaurants must conspicuously post their current sanitary inspection letter grade or a grade-pending card; failing to do so draws a flat $500 civil penalty under the Administrative Code.

a. A food service establishment shall post a grade card or grade pending card in accordance with the requirements set forth in subdivision (b) of section 81.51 of the health code of the city of New York. b. A food service establishment that fails to display or conspicuously display a grade card or grade pending card in violation of subdivision a of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of $500.

Source: NYC DOHMH Letter Grade ProgramView official code

Full Breakdown

Chapter 15 of Title 17 of the Administrative Code requires every food service establishment to post a grade card or grade-pending card per Health Code § 81.51(b), which is where DOHMH's A/B/C letter-grading scale itself is set. Admin Code § 17-1508 supplies the citywide enforcement teeth: failing to display the card is a standalone $500 civil penalty, and unlike most other posting violations in the same chapter, subdivision (c)'s first-time-violation cure protection is expressly written not to apply to it.

Violations & Fines

Failing to conspicuously display a grade card or grade-pending card: $500 civil penalty per violation, with no first-time cure exception (other posting failures under this chapter can be excused if cured within 7 days).

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a NYC restaurant doesn't post its grade card?
It faces a $500 civil penalty under Administrative Code § 17-1508, with no first-time-violation cure exception, unlike most other posting requirements in the same chapter.
Does NYC actually require the A/B/C grade itself to be posted?
Yes. Section 17-1508 requires posting the current grade card or a grade-pending card as required by Health Code § 81.51(b), the provision that establishes the A/B/C grading system.

Sources & Official References

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