How Florida Restaurant Inspections Work
Everything you need to know about dining safety in Florida.
The Inspection Process
Florida's Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) is responsible for inspecting all public food service establishments in the state. This includes restaurants, cafeterias, food trucks, bars, and any other business that prepares and serves food to the public.
Inspections are unannounced — inspectors arrive without prior notice so they can observe normal operating conditions. Most restaurants are inspected 2–4 times per year, though high-risk establishments or those with prior violations may be visited more frequently.
During an inspection, the inspector walks through the entire establishment checking food temperatures, storage practices, employee hygiene, equipment condition, pest activity, and overall cleanliness. Every issue found is recorded as a specific violation with a code number.
Violation Severity Levels
Critical Violations (Codes 01–24)
These pose an immediate threat to public health. They involve conditions that can directly cause foodborne illness if not corrected.
Examples: Improper food holding temperatures, no handwashing soap available, raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food, toxic substances improperly stored near food, evidence of rodent or roach activity.
Major Violations (Codes 25–42)
These are significant but not immediately dangerous. They indicate conditions that could contribute to food contamination or illness if left unaddressed.
Examples: Missing thermometers in coolers, no certified food manager on duty, improper dishwashing procedures, damaged or soiled food-contact surfaces.
Minor Violations (Codes 43–58)
These are general maintenance and operational issues that don't pose a direct health risk but should be corrected.
Examples: Missing or outdated inspection placard, floors or walls need cleaning, light bulbs without protective shields, improper garbage storage.
The Colored Dots
Throughout InspectFL, you'll see small colored dots next to violations and on county cards:
The numbers next to each dot show how many violations of that severity have been recorded for a restaurant or county across all inspections in our database.
Our Grading System (A/B/C/F)
InspectFL assigns a letter grade to each restaurant based on the total number of critical violations across all inspections in our database. This gives you a quick snapshot of a restaurant's overall food safety track record.
0–2 critical
Excellent
3–5 critical
Good
6–10 critical
Needs Improvement
11+ critical
Poor
Note: This grade is calculated by InspectFL and is not an official DBPR rating. It's based on historical data and meant to help consumers make informed decisions.
What "Disposition" Means
Each inspection has a disposition — the outcome or action taken as a result of the inspection. Common dispositions include:
- • Inspection Completed - No Further Action — The restaurant passed or had only minor issues that were corrected on-site.
- • Administrative Complaint Filed — Serious or repeated violations have been escalated. The DBPR may impose fines, require corrective action, or take further enforcement.
- • Warning Issued — The restaurant received an official warning. A follow-up inspection is typically scheduled.
- • Emergency Order/Closure — In extreme cases, a restaurant may be temporarily shut down until critical health hazards are resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are restaurants inspected?
Most Florida restaurants receive 2–4 unannounced inspections per year. High-risk establishments or those with previous violations may be inspected more frequently.
How current is InspectFL's data?
We update our database regularly from DBPR public records. However, there may be a short delay between when an inspection occurs and when it appears on our site.
Can a restaurant improve its grade?
Yes! Our grades are based on the full inspection history in our database. As new clean inspections are added and older data ages, a restaurant's grade can improve over time.
Is InspectFL affiliated with the Florida government?
No. InspectFL is an independent project that makes public DBPR inspection data more accessible. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the State of Florida or DBPR.