(a) When the director finds any food establishment in a condition which poses an imminent risk to the health or safety of the public or the employees of the establishment, the director shall be authorized:
(1) To post and maintain at the entrance of the food establishment, notice of the conditions therein, or to require the owner, operator or person in charge of the establishment to post and maintain at the entrance of the establishment notice that the establishment is closed;
(2) To close summarily such food establishment and prevent its use as a food establishment until such unsanitary conditions have been removed or abated, and until it no longer endangers public health; and
(3) To suspend summarily its food establishment permit.
(b) Conditions which warrant the actions authorized under subsection (a) above include but are not limited to loss of electrical power, interruption of water service, sewage backing up into the establishment, serious lack of sanitation or catastrophic occurrence.
(c) The owner, operator or other person in charge of the establishment will be given written notice of the reason for the closure and/or suspension.
(d) Upon receipt of the notice, the food establishment shall immediately cease food operations.
(e) A person commits an offense if the person engages in food operations in an establishment which has been closed or had its license suspended pursuant to this section.
(f) A person commits an offense if the person removes or tampers with any notice posted pursuant to subsection (a) above.
(Ord. 12553, § 1, passed 6-18-1996)