Lodging establishments in North Carolina must obtain an annual permit from the State Health Department. Hotels and motels are subject to health and sanitation standards adopted by the NC Public Health Commission. These standards are enforced by inspections conducted by the local county health department.
Whenever an inspection of a lodging establishment is made, a grade card is issued. The owner or operator is responsible for keeping the grade card posted and readily visible.
The sanitation grading of all lodging establishments is based on the following scoring system:
- All establishments receiving a score of at least 90 percent are awarded Grade A;
- All establishments receiving a score of at least 80 percent and less than 90 percent are awarded Grade B;
- All establishments receiving a score of at least 70 percent and less than 80 percent are awarded Grade C.
- No establishment receiving a score of less than 70 percent, or Grade C, may operate.
