San Mateo County, CA Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)

Upon completion of a routine inspection or re-inspection of a food facility, Environmental Health Services Division staff (staff) shall post at the food facility the appropriate placard, as determined by the Director of Environmental Health Services Division (Director), or his or her designee, indicating the compliance status of said food facility with respect to food handling practices. The placard shall be posted in a location that is clearly visible to the general public and patrons entering the food facility. "Clearly visible to general public and patrons" means:

1.Posted in the window of the food facility within five feet of its main entrance; or2.Posted in a display case mounted on the outside wall of the food facility within five feet of its main entrance; or3.Posted in a location approved by the Director, or his or her designee, to ensure proper notice to the general public and patrons of fixed and mobile food facilities. In the event a food facility is operated in the same building as a separately permitted or licensed business, or in the event that a food facility shares a common patron entrance with a separately permitted facility or licensed business, or in the event of both, staff shall post the placard in the food facility's initial point of sale area or in a location approved by the Director, or his or her designee.