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Failed a health inspection in Hillsborough County, Florida?

Hillsborough County restaurants get 10–30 days after a failed inspection; High Priority violations may trigger a 48-hour callback 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.

Hillsborough County at a glance

Florida DBPR — Division of Hotels and Restaurants (Tampa district)
Grading systemState DBPR risk-based system — High Priority, Intermediate, and Basic violation categories; no letter grade
Re-inspection window10–30 days after a failed inspection; High Priority violations may trigger a 48-hour callback
Re-inspection fee$100–$200 per re-inspection (state schedule)
Closure riskEmergency Order of Suspension for imminent health hazard or repeat High Priority violations; Hillsborough also posts scores on county website

Violation tiers and deadlines

P
Priority (P): High Priority violations must be corrected before the next meal period or within 24 hours
Food safety hazards that directly cause illness, including foodborne disease risk, bare-hand contact, and temperature abuse.
PF
Priority Foundation (PF): 30 days for Intermediate violations
Procedures and practices that support food safety, including certifications, cooling logs, labeling, and training.
C
Core (C): 60 days for Basic violations
Facility and equipment standards, including maintenance, cleaning schedules, and physical condition of the space.

Deadlines are typical for Hillsborough County. Always verify with Florida DBPR — Division of Hotels and Restaurants (Tampa district).

Most common violations in Hillsborough County

WHAT THE INSPECTOR CHECKS
01High Priority: bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food
02High Priority: cold food held above 41°F — prep cooler failure
03High Priority: food from unapproved or uninspected source
04Intermediate: no written procedures for time as a public health control
05Basic: grease buildup on hood filters and exhaust system
06Basic: plumbing — handwash sink draining too slowly or leaking

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 Hillsborough County

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

Priority violations must be corrected High Priority violations must be corrected before the next meal period or within 24 hours. Priority Foundation violations are due 30 days for Intermediate violations. Core violations have 60 days for Basic violations. Always confirm the exact deadline with Florida DBPR — Division of Hotels and Restaurants (Tampa district).

What happens if I fail the re-inspection?+

Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough County?+

Re-inspection fees in Hillsborough County are typically $100–$200 per re-inspection (state schedule). Fees vary by violation count and may increase for repeat failures. Verify current fees with Florida DBPR — Division of Hotels and Restaurants (Tampa district).

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?+

Emergency Order of Suspension for imminent health hazard or repeat High Priority violations; Hillsborough also posts scores on county website. 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 Florida DBPR — Division of Hotels and Restaurants (Tampa district).

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