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

Section 7-1 of the Novato Municipal Code, Regulation of Food Handling Establishments, is the City of Novato's inspection and display rule for restaurants and other food businesses. Section 7-1.1 defines a food establishment broadly: any building, room, stand, vehicle, enclosure, place, space or area where any cooked or uncooked article of food is stored, prepared, manufactured, processed, wrapped, canned, packed, bottled, distributed, served or displayed. The Health Officer is the health officer of Marin County or an authorized representative, who under Health and Safety Code Section 476 enforces Chapter VII of the Novato code within the city.

Section 7-1.2 makes it unlawful to operate any food establishment in the incorporated City of Novato without a valid certificate issued by the county health officer or an authorized representative, and requires the certificate to be displayed prominently in the place of business for which it is issued. Section 7-1 prints no letter grade, numeric score or color placard. The item posted for the public is the certificate itself.

Section 7-1.3 holds back issuance until the provisions of the section, the California Restaurant Act and the rules of the State Board of Public Health have been complied with, and states that inspections are based on that Act and those rules and later modifications. A certificate expires six months after the date of issuance and is not transferable on change of ownership.

Section 7-1.4 sets the discipline path. The health officer can suspend a certificate for violating the section, but only after giving the holder an opportunity for a hearing. A reasonable time is allowed for correction. During that period the food establishment can be ordered closed if the health officer deems it necessary for the protection of the public health. The suspension is lifted on full compliance with sanitary requirements, and if compliance is not obtained, the certificate is revoked.