San Bernardino, CA Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)
Key Facts
- Administering agency
- County Department of Public Health
- Minimum passing grade
- "B" grade required
- Re-score request window
- 30 days after OIR
- Re-score completion deadline
- 10 county business days
- Card removal penalty
- Permit suspension or revocation
Summary
San Bernardino adopts the San Bernardino County restaurant inspection grading program by reference under Municipal Code Chapter 8.02. The County Department of Public Health inspects and grades every food establishment in the city, and a Letter Grade Card must stay posted; falling below a "B" triggers a written notice and a 30-day re-score window.
Any food establishment that fails to attain at least a “B” grade, as defined herein, shall be issued written notice, through an OIR, by the health official. The food establishment must correct the deficiencies listed in the OIR and must file a written request for a re-score inspection with the health official within 30 days of the OIR. A re-score inspection shall be conducted by the health official and be subject to a re-score inspection fee as provided in the Code, Schedule of Fees. The health official will complete the re-score inspection within ten (10) County business days of food establishment's filing of a written request for a re-score inspection. A food establishment failing to comply with the OIR, or failing to attain at least a “B” grade on the re-score inspection, may be immediately closed by the health official pursuant to State law.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-2: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026).
Full Breakdown
010, the city adopts San Bernardino County Code Chapter 14 of Division 3 of Title 3 ("Inspection Grading of Food Establishments") with city-specific amendments. Any food establishment that fails to attain at least a "B" grade must be issued written notice through an Official Inspection Report (OIR) by the health official. The establishment then has 30 days from the OIR to file a written request for a re-score inspection, which the health official must complete within ten county business days of that request. A food establishment that fails to comply with the OIR, or that still fails to score a "B" on re-score, may be immediately closed by the health official under state law and must remain closed until it achieves at least a "B" grade on a subsequent re-score.
030 adopts the county's fee schedule, collected by the county to offset administration costs. The Letter Grade Card itself may not be defaced, marred, camouflaged, hidden or removed, and it is unlawful to operate a food establishment without it posted.
Violations & Fines
Removing, hiding or defacing the Letter Grade Card, or operating without one posted, violates Chapter 8.02 and can trigger suspension or revocation of the establishment's public health permit. Under § 8.02.040, violations of this chapter are punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor under Chapter 1.12, which sets fines up to $100 for a first infraction, $200 for a second within a year and $500 for further violations, with a fourth violation charged as a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who inspects restaurants in San Bernardino?
What happens if a restaurant scores below a "B"?
Is it legal to take down the Letter Grade Card?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino
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Restaurant Grade Cards in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle restaurant grade cards.