PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Allegheny County Health Department has plans in the works to start scoring restaurants with a letter grade, based on annual inspections.

The grades are like the ones given in school. A 90 is an A, an 80 is a B, 70 is a C. A restaurant with a D is closed down.

The county plans to post the grades on its website for a year and then may begin posting them on the front of restaurants – something owners aren’t happy about.

A draft copy of the new plans shows the standards may be watered down to make restaurant owners happy.

For example, under the old system the health department had a zero tolerance policy about rodents, but under the new system two or more rodents would have to be found by inspectors before the restaurant loses points.

It’s the same with rodent droppings. The new grading system allows some droppings. Your score is lowered only if there are excessive droppings found.

As for roaches, it’s the same thing. One is okay.

The plan will be available for public viewing when it is posted on the health department’s website – possibly as soon as Monday.

LINK: Allegheny County Health Department | Food Safety Section