Sonoma County, CA Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sonoma County Code § 14-3-060
- Pass colors
- Green pass, yellow conditional, red closed
- Yellow-placard reinspection window
- 24 to 72 hours
- Posting location
- Front window or approved display case
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county food facilities
Summary
Sonoma County posts a color-coded pass, conditional-pass, or closed placard at every inspected food facility after each routine inspection, visible to patrons from the entrance.
Upon completion of a routine inspection or reinspection, the health officer shall determine the appropriate placard to post at the food facility, shall notify the food facility operator of the intended posting of the placard, and shall provide the operator an opportunity to respond at that point. After the opportunity to respond, the health officer shall post the appropriate placard at every food facility within the placarding program. The placard shall be posted so as to be clearly visible to the general public and to patrons entering the food facility. "Clearly visible to the general public and to patrons" shall mean:(1)Posted in the front window of the food facility; or(2)Posted in a display case mounted on the outside front wall of the food facility; or(3)Posted in a location approved by the health officer to ensure proper notice to the general public and to patrons. The health officer shall reinspect every food facility at which a yellow "conditional pass" placard is posted within twenty-four (24) to seventy-two (72) hours of the posting of the yellow placard. Upon reinspection, the appropriate placard shall be posted.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
After a routine inspection or reinspection, the county health officer determines whether a food facility earns a green "pass," yellow "conditional pass," or red "closed" placard and posts it where patrons can see it entering the business: in the front window, in an outside display case, or another location the health officer approves. A yellow placard triggers a mandatory reinspection within 24 to 72 hours. The official inspection report must also be kept on site and shown to the public on request. This covers unincorporated Sonoma County and any incorporated city that contracts with the county health officer for food inspection; check with Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park or the other cities directly if the restaurant sits inside city limits.
Violations & Fines
Altering, defacing, hiding, or removing a posted placard is unlawful and can trigger suspension or revocation of the food facility permit, as can operating without the placard properly posted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a yellow placard at a Sonoma County restaurant mean?
Can a restaurant remove or cover its inspection placard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sonoma County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sonoma County to another location·View the California public health rules overview
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