Lodging

Lodging is a place in which someone pays a fee to temporarily stay or live. Environmental Health Specialists are responsible for permitting and inspecting establishments that offer lodging accommodations for pay. Lodging establishments that are regulated by the Environmental Health Department include:
  • Hotels
  • Motels
  • Inns
  • Bed and Breakfast Inns and Homes

Inspection Process

An inspection is conducted to determine the compliance of a lodging establishment with the North Carolina 15A NCAC 18A .1800 Lodging Rules. Areas of importance for inspection in lodging establishments include:
  • The Lobby
  • Halls
  • Stairs
  • Premises
  • Ice and Vending Areas
  • Guest Rooms
  • Lighting
  • Hot Water Heating Requirements
After inspection, each establishment is given a sanitation grade card to post in a visible location to customers. Sanitation grade cards issued by an inspector include a numerical score and a classification of A, B, or C.

If an establishment prepares and serves Potentially Hazardous Foods, they are also required to have a food establishment permit and will also receive a separate grade card that is issued for their food establishment permit.

Establishments that serve only Non-Potentially Hazardous Foods (muffins, bagels, pastries, etc.) or commercially prepackaged Potentially Hazardous Foods do not require a food establishment permit.

Bed & Breakfast Homes and Inns

A bed & breakfast home is a private home that offers bed and breakfast accommodations for up to eight persons per night for a period of less than a week.

A bed & breakfast inn is a business that offers bed and breakfast accommodations to at least nine but no more than 23 people per night with no more than 12 guest rooms.

Both bed & breakfast homes and inns are inspected annually and given a sanitation grade card for their lodging facility and given a separate sanitation grade card for their food service. The number of inspections for food service may differ due to the type of foods prepared and food preparation process.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs (Cimex lecturarius) are small parasitic insects that feed and live on the blood of humans and animals while they sleep. However, bed bugs can survive up to several months without a blood meal.

To notify the Environmental Health Department of a bed bug infestation in a regulated facility, click here.

For more information about bed bugs, click here.

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