How to Get Restaurant Inspection Records in California
Reviewed October 2026
Restaurant inspections in California are usually handled by the county’s environmental health department, and some large cities run their own programs. Many reports are online, and you can request the rest as public records.
Look online first
Search for your county’s name with “environmental health” and “restaurant inspections.” Many counties publish recent inspection results. Online records may only go back a few years, or may leave out complaints.
What you can ask for
- Routine inspection reports
- Reinspection reports
- Complaints and how they were resolved
- Notices of violation or closure
- Records of corrective action
What to include in a request
- The business name and exact street address
- A date range
- Any former name of the business, if you know it
Inspection records are usually filed by address or business name. If the agency tells you a record is already posted online, it can meet its duty by directing you there. If you can’t access or reproduce it online, you can ask for a copy, and the agency must promptly provide one (Gov. Code § 7922.545).
The same approach works for other inspections
Building, fire and housing code enforcement records work in a similar way. Ask the city or county department that handled the inspection, and include the address.
Related guides
- How to Write a California Public Records Request
- What to Do When an Agency Misses the 10-Day Deadline
General information, not legal advice.