San Francisco, CA Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)
Key Facts
- Placard colors
- Green Pass, Yellow Conditional Pass, Red Closed
- Issued by
- County Environmental Health Inspector
- Placard validity
- Until next Routine or Scheduled Inspection
- Criminal penalty
- $10-$500 fine or up to 100 days jail
- Admin penalty
- Up to $200 per violation
Summary
San Francisco restaurants must post a color-coded Pass, Conditional Pass, or Closed placard from every routine health inspection where patrons can see it.
Upon issuance of a Placard by a County Environmental Health Inspector, the Food Preparation and Service Establishment shall post the Placard on the premises of the establishment so as to be clearly visible to patrons of the establishment.
(b) Food Preparation and Service Establishments that are not issued a Placard by a County Environmental Health Inspector shall not post a Placard on the premises of the establishment.
(c) Food Preparation and Service Establishments, whether issued a Placard or not, must make the Food Inspection Report available to the general public and patrons for review upon request.
(d) The Department of Public Health shall strive to make all current Food Inspection Reports of Food Preparation and Service Establishments available on the Department’s website as soon as is practicable.
(e) Once required to be posted, the Placard shall not be defaced, marred, camouflaged, hidden, or removed by the Food Preparation and Service Establishment until superseded. It is unlawful to operate a Food Preparation and Service Establishment unless the Placard is in place as set forth hereunder. Removal of (or defacement, marring, camouflaging, or hiding of) the Placard from its required place on the premises is a violation of Sections 456 et seq. and may result in the suspension or revocation of the Public Health Permit to operate, as specified in Section 456.3, and is punishable, as specified in Section
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
After a Routine or Scheduled Inspection, a County Environmental Health Inspector issues a green Pass Placard, yellow Conditional Pass Placard, or red Closed Placard depending on the Major Violations found. The establishment must post the placard so it's clearly visible to patrons and must make the full Food Inspection Report available to the public on request until the next inspection. Establishments not issued a placard may not post one at all, and a posted placard cannot be defaced, hidden, or removed until superseded by a new inspection.
Violations & Fines
Removing, hiding, or defacing a required placard, or operating without one posted, violates Health Code Sec. 456 et seq. and can trigger suspension or revocation of the Public Health Permit; repeat violations within 12 months are a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $10 to $500, up to 100 days in County Jail, or both, plus administrative penalties up to $200 per violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a red Closed Placard mean in San Francisco?
Can a restaurant remove its inspection placard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California public health rules overview
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