Rialto, CA Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- RMC Chapter 8.40
- Enforcement agency
- SB County Dept. of Public Health, Env. Health Svcs.
- Card must be
- Posted, prominent, publicly visible
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord. 1429 (2008); Cty Ord. No. 3930
- Tampering rule
- County Code Sec. 33.1406(c)
- Penalty basis
- County Code Sec. 33.0112
Summary
Rialto adopts San Bernardino County's food inspection grading program citywide. Every retail food establishment must post its county-issued letter grade card in a prominent, publicly visible spot, and removing or hiding it is a misdemeanor violation of the city code.
A. It is unlawful to operate a food establishment unless the letter grade card issued by the Division of Environmental Health Services is posted in a prominent place, easily viewed by the public. B. In accordance with Section 33.1406(c) of the San Bernardino County Code, the letter grade card posted in accordance with the program shall not be defaced, marred, camouflaged, hidden, or removed. C. Removal of the letter grade card is a violation of the program adopted herein, and may result in the suspension or revocation of the public health permit and shall be punishable as specified in Section 33.0112 of the San Bernardino County Code, which is adopted herein and incorporated by reference.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 39).
Full Breakdown
40 of the Rialto Municipal Code applies the county's inspection grading system to every retail food establishment operating at a permanent location within city limits. 0213B(b)(17) of Chapter 2 of Division 6 of Title 1, of the San Bernardino County Code, as originally enacted by San Bernardino County Ordinance No. 3930. Enforcement authority sits with the County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services, which the city designates by ordinance as its enforcement agency and which supplies the qualified inspectors who conduct the grading.
0213B(b)(17), depositing it with the county treasurer to offset administration and enforcement costs for the program as it applies within Rialto; the city council has found that fee reasonably related to the actual cost of running the program. 050(A) makes it unlawful to operate a food establishment unless the letter grade card the Division of Environmental Health Services issued is posted in a prominent place easily viewed by the public. 1406(c) of the County Code, incorporated into Rialto's chapter, which bars defacing, marring, camouflaging, hiding, or removing it.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the posted grade card, or defacing, hiding, or removing a posted card, violates RMC 8.40.050 and County Code Section 33.1406(c). Removal is punishable as specified in County Code Section 33.0112, adopted by reference into Rialto's chapter, and can additionally trigger suspension or revocation of the establishment's public health permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rialto run its own restaurant grading program?
Is it illegal to operate without posting the grade card?
What happens if a restaurant removes or hides its grade card?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rialto
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Restaurant Grade Cards in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle restaurant grade cards.