Providence, RI Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)
Key Facts
- Inspection frequency
- At least every 3 months
- Report access
- Must be shown to patrons on request
- Enforcing official
- Superintendent of health
- Non-compliance penalty
- Immediate license suspension
- Governing section
- § 10-31
Summary
Providence's health department inspects every restaurant at least once every three months, and the inspector's report must be left on-site and made available to any patron who asks to see it.
At least once every three (3) months the superintendent of health shall cause to be inspected by such deputies or inspectors as he shall appoint for that purpose, every restaurant located within the city. One (1) copy of the inspector's report shall be left with the person in charge of the restaurant, which copy shall be made available to any and all patrons and shall not be disposed of or removed except by permission of the superintendent of health. Another copy of the inspector's report shall be kept on file with the records of the health department.(b)In the event said superintendent of health or any of his deputies shall determine that a violation of the provisions of this article exists in any restaurant, he may allow the holder of said license to remedy the violations within such time as he shall order, and if said violation is not remedied at the end of such time, said license may immediately be suspended. All licensees shall notify the superintendent of health of any proposed changes in location, route or physical setup of the premises.(c)The person operating the restaurant shall upon request of the health officer, permit access to all parts of the establishment. (Ch. 14, § 37, added by Ord. 1948, ch. 187, § 5)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 7).
Full Breakdown
Under Section 10-31 of the Providence Code of Ordinances, the superintendent of health must inspect every restaurant in the city at least once every three months, using deputies or inspectors he appoints. One copy of the inspection report stays with the person in charge of the restaurant and must be made available to any and all patrons; it can't be removed or disposed of except with the superintendent's permission. A second copy is filed with the health department's records. If an inspection turns up a violation, the superintendent can set a deadline to fix it, and restaurant staff must let the health officer into all parts of the establishment on request.
Violations & Fines
If a cited violation isn't corrected by the superintendent of health's deadline, the restaurant's operating license can be suspended immediately under Section 10-26; operating a restaurant without a license at all is a separate offense under Section 10-29.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Providence use a letter-grade placard system like New York City?
What happens if a Providence restaurant fails inspection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Providence
Compare Providence to another location·View the Rhode Island public health rules overview
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