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NYC Restaurant Health Violation Codes

Complete reference guide to all NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene food safety violation codes

Overview

NYC uses 131 health code violation codes to evaluate restaurant food safety, 91 of which are classified as critical violations requiring immediate correction. Each violation carries a point value that determines a restaurant's inspection score and letter grade — a score below 14 earns Grade A, 14–27 earns Grade B, and 28+ earns Grade C.

131
Total Violation Codes
91
Critical Violations
337,014
Total Citations on Record
0–13
Grade A Score Range

Most Common Violations in NYC

10F Minor
Non-food Contact Surfaces Not Clean
46,048 citations
08A Major
Facility Not Free from Harborage Conditions
30,146 citations
06D Critical
Food Contact Surfaces Not Properly Sanitized
20,906 citations
10B Major
Plumbing Not Properly Installed or Maintained
20,727 citations
06C Critical
Food not protected from contamination
20,573 citations

Administrative (10 codes)

20-01 NYC Health Code Violation 20-01 Critical 1,730 cited 20-04 NYC Health Code Violation 20-04 Critical 4,793 cited 20-05 NYC Health Code Violation 20-05 Critical 146 cited 20-06 NYC Health Code Violation 20-06 Critical 3,688 cited 20-07 NYC Health Code Violation 20-07 Critical 13 cited 20-08 Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information Hot TCS food item not ... Critical 3,438 cited 20A NYC Health Code Violation 20A Critical 110 cited 20D NYC Health Code Violation 20D Critical 154 cited 20E Letter grade or Grade Pending card not conspicuously posted and visible to passersby. P... Critical 5 cited 20F NYC Health Code Violation 20F Critical 179 cited

Cleaning & Sanitization (4 codes)

10G Dishwashing facilities inadequate Major 7,956 cited 10H Sanitization not provided for utensil washing Major 4,263 cited 06D Food Contact Surfaces Not Properly Sanitized Critical 20,906 cited 06F Wiping Cloths Not Stored in Sanitizer Critical 5,867 cited

Equipment (4 codes)

09C Food contact surface improperly constructed Major 4,813 cited 09A NYC Health Code Violation 09A Critical 854 cited 09D NYC Health Code Violation 09D Critical 44 cited 09E NYC Health Code Violation 09E Critical 2,500 cited

Food Handling (5 codes)

06B NYC Health Code Violation 06B Critical 1,334 cited 06E NYC Health Code Violation 06E Critical 5,672 cited 06G NYC Health Code Violation 06G Critical 208 cited 06H NYC Health Code Violation 06H Critical 6 cited 06I NYC Health Code Violation 06I Critical 6 cited

Food Preparation (1 codes)

09B Thawing procedure improper Major 3,203 cited

Food Protection (10 codes)

04B NYC Health Code Violation 04B Critical 9 cited 04D NYC Health Code Violation 04D Critical 143 cited 04E Toxic chemical or pesticide improperly stored or used such that food contamination may ... Critical 202 cited 04F NYC Health Code Violation 04F Critical 247 cited 04H Food Contaminated or Cross-Contaminated Critical 6,869 cited 04I NYC Health Code Violation 04I Critical 2 cited 04J NYC Health Code Violation 04J Critical 2,715 cited 04O NYC Health Code Violation 04O Critical 461 cited 04P Food containing a prohibited substance held, kept, offered, prepared, processed, packag... Critical 160 cited 06C Food not protected from contamination Critical 20,573 cited

Food Source (7 codes)

03A Food from unapproved or unknown source Critical 1,328 cited 03B NYC Health Code Violation 03B Critical 247 cited 03C NYC Health Code Violation 03C Critical 90 cited 03D NYC Health Code Violation 03D Critical 5 cited 03E NYC Health Code Violation 03E Critical 44 cited 03F NYC Health Code Violation 03F Critical 5 cited 03I NYC Health Code Violation 03I Critical 351 cited

General Violation (51 codes)

15-01 NYC Health Code Violation 15-01 Major 86 cited 15-21 NYC Health Code Violation 15-21 Major 263 cited 15-22 NYC Health Code Violation 15-22 Major 59 cited 15-27 NYC Health Code Violation 15-27 Major 363 cited 15-28 NYC Health Code Violation 15-28 Major 2 cited 15-32 Warning sign re dangers of hookah smoking not posted at or on each public entryway to N... Major 7 cited 15-33 NYC Health Code Violation 15-33 Major 3 cited 15-36 NYC Health Code Violation 15-36 Major 1 cited 15-37 NYC Health Code Violation 15-37 Major 228 cited 15-39 NYC Health Code Violation 15-39 Major 80 cited 15-42 NYC Health Code Violation 15-42 Major 139 cited 15E2 Flavored tobacco products sold or offered for sale Food Protection Certificate not held... Major 26 cited 15F1 Ashtrays in smoke-free area Tobacco use, eating, or drinking from open container in foo... Major 11 cited 15F6 NYC Health Code Violation 15F6 Major 59 cited 15F7 NYC Health Code Violation 15F7 Major 18 cited 15I NYC Health Code Violation 15I Major 2 cited 15L NYC Health Code Violation 15L Major 8 cited 16-01 NYC Health Code Violation 16-01 Major 10 cited 16-02 NYC Health Code Violation 16-02 Major 1,115 cited 16-03 NYC Health Code Violation 16-03 Major 477 cited 16-04 NYC Health Code Violation 16-04 Major 215 cited 16-06 NYC Health Code Violation 16-06 Major 228 cited 16-08 NYC Health Code Violation 16-08 Major 105 cited 16-09 NYC Health Code Violation 16-09 Major 6 cited 16-10 NYC Health Code Violation 16-10 Major 62 cited 16-11 NYC Health Code Violation 16-11 Major 16 cited 16A NYC Health Code Violation 16A Major 5 cited 16B NYC Health Code Violation 16B Major 61 cited 16C NYC Health Code Violation 16C Major 13 cited 16D NYC Health Code Violation 16D Major 17 cited 16E NYC Health Code Violation 16E Major 18 cited 16L NYC Health Code Violation 16L Major 11 cited 07A Duties of an officer of the Department interfered with or obstructed. Evidence of rats ... Critical 21 cited 18-01 NYC Health Code Violation 18-01 Critical 17 cited 18-08 NYC Health Code Violation 18-08 Critical 8 cited 18-11 NYC Health Code Violation 18-11 Critical 468 cited 18-12 Document issued by the Board of Health, Commissioner or Department reproduced or altere... Critical 41 cited 18B NYC Health Code Violation 18B Critical 3 cited 18G NYC Health Code Violation 18G Critical 14 cited 19-04 NYC Health Code Violation 19-04 Critical 83 cited 19-05 NYC Health Code Violation 19-05 Critical 189 cited 19-06 NYC Health Code Violation 19-06 Critical 1,870 cited 19-07 NYC Health Code Violation 19-07 Critical 531 cited 19-08 Failure to provide a single-use, non-compostable plastic straw upon request. Food Prote... Critical 6 cited 19-10 NYC Health Code Violation 19-10 Critical 851 cited 19-11 NYC Health Code Violation 19-11 Critical 26 cited 22A NYC Health Code Violation 22A Critical 71 cited 22C NYC Health Code Violation 22C Critical 59 cited 22E ROP processing equipment not approved by DOHMH. Live roaches present in facility's food... Critical 9 cited 22F MISBRANDED AND LABELING Hot food item not held at or above 140º F. Live roaches presen... Critical 53 cited 22G NYC Health Code Violation 22G Critical 20 cited

Management & Personnel (1 codes)

04A Food Protection Certificate Not Held by Supervisor Critical 9,364 cited

Other Requirements (6 codes)

28-01 Nuisance created or allowed to exist. Facility not free from unsafe, hazardous, offensi... Critical 1,186 cited 28-03 NYC Health Code Violation 28-03 Critical 557 cited 28-04 NYC Health Code Violation 28-04 Critical 362 cited 28-05 NYC Health Code Violation 28-05 Critical 523 cited 28-06 NYC Health Code Violation 28-06 Critical 2,155 cited 28-07 NYC Health Code Violation 28-07 Critical 21 cited

Personal Hygiene (9 codes)

04C Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food Critical 1,322 cited 05A NYC Health Code Violation 05A Critical 281 cited 05B NYC Health Code Violation 05B Critical 112 cited 05C NYC Health Code Violation 05C Critical 543 cited 05D Hand Washing Facility Not Properly Equipped Critical 6,163 cited 05E NYC Health Code Violation 05E Critical 252 cited 05F NYC Health Code Violation 05F Critical 1,012 cited 05H NYC Health Code Violation 05H Critical 1,312 cited 06A Personal cleanliness inadequate Critical 5,866 cited

Pest Control (4 codes)

04K Evidence of Rats Present in Facility Critical 3,382 cited 04L Evidence of Mice Present in Facility Critical 17,308 cited 04M Live Roaches Present in Facility Critical 6,025 cited 04N Filth Flies Present in Food Areas Critical 12,881 cited

Physical Facility (3 codes)

10F Non-food Contact Surfaces Not Clean Minor 46,048 cited 08A Facility Not Free from Harborage Conditions Major 30,146 cited 08B NYC Health Code Violation 08B Critical 1,606 cited

Plumbing (1 codes)

10B Plumbing Not Properly Installed or Maintained Major 20,727 cited

Sanitation (6 codes)

10A NYC Health Code Violation 10A Critical 1,302 cited 10C NYC Health Code Violation 10C Critical 277 cited 10D NYC Health Code Violation 10D Critical 1,859 cited 10E Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or ... Critical 2,708 cited 10I NYC Health Code Violation 10I Critical 219 cited 10J Hand wash sign not posted Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitize... Critical 117 cited

Temperature Control (8 codes)

02A Food not cooked to required minimum temperature Critical 278 cited 02B Hot TCS Food Not Held at 140°F or Above Critical 17,511 cited 02C NYC Health Code Violation 02C Critical 377 cited 02D Commercially processed pre-cooked TCS in hermetically sealed containers and precooked T... Critical 26 cited 02F NYC Health Code Violation 02F Critical 180 cited 02G Cold TCS Food Held Above 41°F Critical 20,403 cited 02H Food Not Cooled by Approved Method Critical 3,102 cited 02I NYC Health Code Violation 02I Critical 207 cited

Toxic Substances (1 codes)

08C Pesticide not properly used or stored Major 5,901 cited

NYC Restaurant Health Violations: Frequently Asked Questions

How many health violation codes does NYC use?
NYC uses 131 health code violation codes, of which 91 are classified as critical violations. Critical violations pose the most serious risk to public health.
What is the difference between critical and non-critical violations in NYC?
Critical violations represent an immediate threat to public health, such as improper food temperatures or evidence of vermin. Non-critical violations are less immediately dangerous but still require correction. Critical violations are weighted more heavily in the grading system.
How does NYC calculate restaurant letter grades?
Restaurants are scored during each inspection, with points assigned per violation. A score of 0-13 earns a Grade A (the best). A score of 14-27 earns a Grade B. A score of 28 or more earns a Grade C. Grade A restaurants are the safest choice.
What are the most common health violations in NYC restaurants?
The most common violations involve food temperature control (violations 02B, 02G), personal hygiene (04A), facility maintenance (08A), and food contact surface sanitation (10B). Temperature violations are particularly common and serious.
What happens when a restaurant gets a critical violation?
Critical violations must be corrected immediately or the restaurant may face closure. The NYC Health Department can issue an administrative tribunal ticket for each critical violation, with fines of $200-$2,000 per violation. Restaurants with too many violations receive a Grade B or C.
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Data sourced directly from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene