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Failed a health inspection in San Diego County, California?

San Diego County restaurants get Up to 60 days; imminent-health-hazard violations require same-day correction to correct violations. Every open violation at re-inspection costs you points or closes the restaurant. Here is everything you need to know, and how to fix it fast.

San Diego County at a glance

San Diego County DEH — Food & Housing Division
Grading systemLetter grade A/B/C — grade card must be posted conspicuously
Re-inspection windowUp to 60 days; imminent-health-hazard violations require same-day correction
Re-inspection fee$200–$400 per re-inspection
Closure riskClosure for grade C or imminent health hazard; reopening requires passing a new inspection

Violation tiers and deadlines

P
Priority (P): Same inspection visit for high-risk violations
Food safety hazards that directly cause illness, including foodborne disease risk, bare-hand contact, and temperature abuse.
PF
Priority Foundation (PF): 14 days for moderate violations
Procedures and practices that support food safety, including certifications, cooling logs, labeling, and training.
C
Core (C): 90 days for minor violations
Facility and equipment standards, including maintenance, cleaning schedules, and physical condition of the space.

Deadlines are typical for San Diego County. Always verify with San Diego County DEH — Food & Housing Division.

Most common violations in San Diego County

WHAT THE INSPECTOR CHECKS
01Food handler certification expired
02Cross-contamination — raw poultry over salad
03Cold-hold units above 41°F
04Food not properly date-marked
05Inadequate handwashing setup
06Pest evidence in storage area

What happens at the re-inspection

The inspector returns to recheck every violation from the original report. They will verify that corrective actions were actually taken, not just that the symptom was temporarily fixed.

For Priority violations this means documented evidence: temperature logs showing proper cold-hold since the original inspection, signed employee illness agreements, corrected food handling observed on-site. A corrected temperature reading alone is not enough if the underlying practice has not changed.

Inspectors may also flag new violations they observe during the re-inspection visit. A re-inspection is not limited to the original violation list.

COMMON MISTAKE

Correcting the condition without documenting it. Bring written proof to every re-inspection, even for violations that seem obvious to verify.

Questions about re-inspections in San Diego County

How long do I have to fix violations in San Diego County?+

Priority violations must be corrected Same inspection visit for high-risk violations. Priority Foundation violations are due 14 days for moderate violations. Core violations have 90 days for minor violations. Always confirm the exact deadline with San Diego County DEH — Food & Housing Division.

What happens if I fail the re-inspection?+

San Diego County may issue additional fines, schedule a second re-inspection, or, for serious ongoing violations, suspend your operating permit. Restaurants with scores indicating an imminent health hazard risk immediate closure.

What is the re-inspection fee in San Diego County?+

Re-inspection fees in San Diego County are typically $200–$400 per re-inspection. Fees vary by violation count and may increase for repeat failures. Verify current fees with San Diego County DEH — Food & Housing Division.

What documents should I have ready for the re-inspection?+

Bring your Corrective Action Plan showing what was fixed and when, staff training sign-off sheets, temperature logs covering the period since the original inspection, and any invoices for equipment repairs or pest control.

Do I have to close while I fix violations?+

Closure for grade C or imminent health hazard; reopening requires passing a new inspection. For violations that do not trigger an immediate closure, you can typically continue operating while corrections are made, but all Priority violations must be corrected by the deadline or you risk closure at re-inspection.

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This document is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not guarantee a passing re-inspection score. Deadlines and fees are based on publicly available jurisdiction data and may change. Always verify requirements directly with San Diego County DEH — Food & Housing Division.

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