How to Check Restaurant Health Inspections in San Diego

Who Inspects Restaurants in San Diego?

The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) is the primary agency responsible for restaurant inspections throughout the county. They conduct unannounced routine inspections, follow-up inspections after violations, and complaint-based inspections when the public reports concerns. DEHQ inspectors check for critical violations (like improper food temperatures or pest activity) and non-critical violations (like labeling issues or equipment cleanliness). City of San Diego health inspectors may also conduct inspections within city limits, but DEHQ maintains the centralized database.

Where to Look Up San Diego Restaurant Inspection Scores

San Diego County publishes all restaurant inspection records on the DEHQ public database at sdcounty.ca.gov/deh. You can search by restaurant name, address, or permit number to view inspection dates, violation details, and corrective actions. The City of San Diego also maintains a separate searchable database for establishments within city jurisdiction. For faster access without navigating government websites, food safety monitoring apps like Panko Alerts aggregate DEHQ data in real time, allowing you to search restaurants and receive instant alerts when new violations are posted. This saves time and ensures you never miss critical health department findings.

Understanding San Diego's Inspection Grades and Violation Categories

San Diego uses a points-based inspection system rather than letter grades. Inspectors deduct points for critical violations (4 points each) and minor violations (1 point each), with scores of 100 being perfect and anything below 70 typically requiring immediate closure or re-inspection. Critical violations include unsafe food temperatures, cross-contamination, contaminated water, and vermin—conditions that pose immediate health risks. Minor violations cover employee hygiene, facility cleanliness, and record-keeping. Understanding these categories helps you assess whether a violation is serious (affecting safety) or administrative (requiring correction). You can view the detailed violation codes and point values directly on the county's inspection records.

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