Food, Lodging, & Institutional Sanitation


Environmental Health

Our Environmental Health team protects residents and visitors by preventing foodborne illnesses, promoting safe recreational activities, and ensuring sanitation in facilities throughout Nash County.

View Inspection Reports

Before you dine out, book a venue, or engage an institution, check the latest inspection results

 

Environmental Health Scores — What They Mean

North Carolina Restaurant Grades

North Carolina restaurants and similar food establishments receive both a number score and a letter grade:

  • A = 90 or above
  • B = 80.0–89.5
  • C = 70.0–79.5
  • If a score falls below 70, the permit is revoked and the establishment must close until problems are corrected.

 

Child Care Centers

We use a demerit system. Fewer demerits = better compliance with health and safety rules.

  • Superior: 0–15 demerits AND no single “6‑point” (serious) violation
  • Approved: 16–30 demerits AND no 6‑point violation
  • Provisional: 31–45 demerits OR any 6‑point violation
  • Disapproved: 46+ demerits OR failure to correct issues that led to a Provisional status

What is a 6‑point violation? A serious problem that can put children’s health at risk (for example, a sanitation or safety issue that must be fixed right away).

Residential Care Facilities

  • Approved: 40 or fewer demerits AND no 6‑point violation
  • Disapproved: More than 40 demerits OR any 6‑point violation

Public Swimming Pools and Spas

  • Any 6‑point violation means the permit is immediately suspended and the pool must close until the issue is corrected. This protects swimmers when minimum water quality or safety standards are not met.

Foodborne Illness

Foodborne illnesses are diseases transmitted through contaminated food or drink. Symptoms range from mild stomach upset to severe gastrointestinal illness, vomiting, and viruses such as Hepatitis A. Most incidents are preventable through proper food safety practices.

How Inspections Prevent Illness

Environmental Health Specialists:

  • Teach employees safe food‑handling practices (time/temperature control, handwashing, cross‑contamination prevention)
  • Grade establishments on sanitation and safety practices
  • Provide guidance and follow‑up to correct violations that reduce an establishment’s rating

 

By law, sanitation grades must be posted where customers can easily see them, helping families make informed choices when dining out.


Where We Inspect

  • Restaurants and caterers
  • School cafeterias and elderly nutrition sites
  • Meat markets and retail food establishments
  • Child care centers and summer feeding sites
  • Mobile food units and pushcarts
  • Temporary food establishments (festivals, fairs, special events)

How Often We Inspect

  • Restaurants, school cafeterias, child care kitchens, and similar institutions: inspected 2-4 times per year
  • Lodging (e.g., hotels/motels), schools, and certain other facilities: inspected at least once per year
  • Temporary food establishments: permitted and inspected for each event

 

We also conduct verification and educational visits in addition to the inspections.  We are here to help staff succeed in meeting sanitation requirements.


Public Pool Inspections

All public and semi‑public pools (including spas and interactive play features) are inspected to verify that design, operation, and maintenance meet health and safety standards. Routine checks of water quality, disinfection, safety equipment, and enclosure integrity help ensure a healthy environment for recreation.

Sanitation of Other Facilities

Environmental Health also inspects:

  • Child care centers and summer camps
  • Nursing homes, residential care, and hospitals (as applicable to environmental health rules)
  • School buildings and local confinement facilities
  • Tattoo establishments
  • Lodging facilities

These inspections enforce state rules that vary by facility type and may include food safety, sanitation, and general safety. Many facilities are inspected by multiple agencies; Environmental Health coordinates within its authority to promote a safe environment.

Have Questions or Need a Permit or Plan Review Application?

  • Apply for Wastewater Permit, Compliance Permit, Well Permit, or Water Sample Request here: PERMIT PORTAL

 

For all other requests, contact Environmental Health by phone or email listed below

 

  • Restaurant, food stand, meat market, food truck, temporary food event, pool, and tattoo parlor permits
  • Plan Review applications and fee payment
  • Pre‑opening consultation for new or renovated establishments
  • File a complaint about an establishment or pool


Contact Environmental Health:

  • Phone: 252-459-9829
  • Email: envsupport@nashcountync.gov
  • Office location: 120 W. Washington St., Nashville, NC  27856
  • Office hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.