Sugar Land, TX Public Health Rules: Restaurant Grade Cards (2026)

City Code Sec. 3-72 defines three risk classifications that drive Sugar Land's food inspection schedule. A low-risk food establishment prepares or serves only prepackaged or ready-to-serve foods with limited handling and no multi-step preparation, such as a convenience store or coffee shop, and receives at least one routine inspection annually. A medium-risk food establishment prepares and serves time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods primarily for same-day service without routine complex processes like extended hot-holding or reheating for later use, such as a fast-food outlet or small diner, and receives at least two routine inspections annually.

A high-risk food establishment handles TCS foods through multi-step processes such as cooking, cooling, reheating, or extended hot/cold holding, prepares or serves raw animal foods, or serves a highly susceptible population, such as a full-service restaurant, caterer, or buffet, and receives a minimum of three inspections annually. The classification is set by the city rather than posted publicly at the establishment door. Sec. 3-73 clarifies these classifications apply to permanent food establishments and to the commissary a mobile food unit draws supplies from, and that any suspension or revocation of the base establishment's permit also suspends or revokes the medallion of any mobile unit tied to it.