Evidence of Rats Present in Facility — NYC Health Violation 04K
Violation code 04K—Evidence of Rats Present in Facility—is a critical pest control violation issued when NYC DOHMH inspectors observe rat droppings, gnaw marks, burrows, or live rats in a food service establishment. Rats pose severe public health risks, carrying over 35 diseases including Leptospirosis, Hantavirus, Salmonella, and plague; a single rat produces 40–50 droppings daily containing millions of pathogens that contaminate food, equipment, and surfaces. This violation has been cited 3,382 times across NYC since records began, with Manhattan accounting for the highest number of cases, and represents an imminent threat to customer and staff safety.
What is Violation 04K?
Rat droppings, gnaw marks, burrows, or live rats observed in facility.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED: Close affected areas, Professional extermination within 24 hours, Clean/sanitize with 10% bleach solution, Discard ALL contaminated food, Seal holes over 1/2 inch, Remove food/water sources, Install bait stations, May require closure.
CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Environmental
Which Boroughs See Violation 04K Most?
Restaurants Cited for Violation 04K (3,382 total)
Related Pest Control Violations
Violation 04K: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is violation 04K in NYC restaurants?
- Rat droppings, gnaw marks, burrows, or live rats observed in facility.
- How serious is violation 04K?
- Critical violation. SEVERE BIOHAZARD: Rats carry 35+ diseases including Leptospirosis (kidney/liver failure), Hantavirus (38% mortality), Salmonella, and plague. One rat produces 40-50 droppings daily containing millions of pathogens. Urine aerosols spread disease throughout facility.
- How many NYC restaurants have been cited for violation 04K?
- 3,382 NYC restaurant inspections have included violation 04K, representing 3.06% of all inspections with violations.
- Which borough has the most violation 04K citations?
- Manhattan has the highest number of violation 04K citations among NYC boroughs.
- What must a restaurant do to fix violation 04K?
- IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED: Close affected areas, Professional extermination within 24 hours, Clean/sanitize with 10% bleach solution, Discard ALL contaminated food, Seal holes over 1/2 inch, Remove food/water sources, Install bait stations, May require closure.
- Is violation 04K a critical violation?
- Yes, violation 04K is a critical violation. Critical violations pose the most serious risk to public health and must be corrected immediately.