San Diego County, CA Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)
Key Facts
- A grade
- Inspection score of 90% or higher
- B grade
- Score 80-89%, re-grade required within 30 days
- C grade
- Score below 80%, re-grade required
- Posting spots
- Front window, outside display case, or drive-through
- Enforcer
- County Department of Environmental Health
Summary
Unincorporated San Diego County restaurants earn an A, B, or C letter grade card during Department of Environmental Health inspections and must post it where patrons can see it, per County Code Sections 61.107 and 61.108.
The Director may adopt regulations to grade permanent or mobile food facilities that prepare food (as defined in Section 113791 of the California Retail Food Code), using a letter grade system. The grading system may be used during any inspection the Department conducts. An "A" grade shall represent a score of 90 percent or higher. A "B" grade shall represent a score of 80 to 89 percent. A "C" grade shall represent a score less than 80 percent. The Department shall issue an alphabetical grade card to each food facility graded during an inspection pursuant to this section and shall provide the permit holder with a list of deficiencies found during the grading inspection. If the Department determines from the inspection, however, that the facility presents an imminent health hazard that warrants immediate closure the Department shall not issue the facility a grade card. Facilities operating as MEHKOs under
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
The county's Department of Environmental Health grades permanent and mobile food facilities on a letter scale: 90 percent or higher scores an A, 80 to 89 percent a B, and anything below 80 percent a C. Inspectors issue an alphabetical grade card on the spot, and permit holders must post it in the front window, an outside display case, or another Department-approved spot within five feet of the entrance, plus at the drive-through window if the facility has one. A B or C can trigger Department-ordered re-grade inspections within 30 days until the facility earns an A, at the permit holder's expense. Facilities presenting an imminent health hazard get closed instead of graded.
Violations & Fines
Defacing, marring, or hiding the grade card violates the code; a damaged card must be replaced within one business day. Grading violations are penalized under Title 1, Division 8 -- the county's general penalty and enforcement provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside the City of San Diego?
What happens if a restaurant scores a C?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
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