Food and Living Environment Section > Food Protection Program > Restaurant Closures
About Restaurant Closures
Improper handling, storage or preparation of food can lead to foodborne illness.
To protect the health of the public, the Snohomish Health District Food Program orders a
restaurant to close only when the facility violates certain health and food safety
practices. These types of violations, called critical item violations, are the ones that
health inspectors look for most when inspecting food service establishments.
Restaurant closure can occur only when:
An immediate health hazard exists, such as loss of electricity, a sewer backup,
a lack of running water, structural damage, or when a communicable disease in food
workers in the facility is confirmed which might cause a serious public health hazard.
Ongoing, severe and repeat violations warrant enforcement action after an effort
has been made to achieve voluntary compliance.
Excessive hazard points occur following an office conference. This happens if
violation points exceed 100 total or 75 critical item points.
The owner/operator fails to inspect, maintain and operate an on-site sewage
disposal system in accordance with WAC 246-272-15501(4).
A valid food establishment permit does not exist.
A restaurant is never allowed to reopen on the same day it was closed, and only when
reinspection confirms that all the violations leading to the closure have been corrected.
