Orange County HCA inspects every food facility and posts a color-coded A (pass), B (conditional), or C (closed) placard at the front door, visible to customers entering.
Orange County was the first US county to adopt a public placard grading system after a 2017 ordinance requiring restaurants, markets, and mobile food units to display HCA Environmental Health inspection results. Inspectors score each facility on critical and minor violations during unannounced visits. An A means substantial compliance, B means conditional pass requiring follow-up, and C means closure for imminent health hazards like sewage backup, vermin, or no hot water. Operators may request reinspection after correction. The placard must remain posted near the public entrance until replaced.
Removing, defacing, or obscuring an HCA placard is a misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 and possible permit suspension by Environmental Health.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach strictly regulates amplified music under NBMC Chapter 10.26 and the Unruly Gathering ordinance. Amplified sound must meet decibel standards at ...
Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach establishes specific decibel thresholds under NBMC Chapter 10.26 that vary by zoning district and time of day. Residential zones allow approxim...
Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Municipal Code Chapter 10.26 sets noise standards by zoning district. Commercial and industrial noise crossing into residential zones must comp...
Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach enforces California Vehicle Code provisions regarding abandoned and inoperable vehicles on both public streets and private property. Vehicles l...
Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach regulates street parking with time limits, permit zones, and seasonal restrictions, especially in coastal and high-traffic areas near beaches a...
Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach restricts the parking and storage of commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods. Vehicles exceeding specified weight and size limits are ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle restaurant grade cards.
See how Newport Beach's restaurant grade cards rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.