San Diego County health inspectors are temporarily closing more restaurants, and vermin-related violations are driving much of the increase, according to a Times of San Diego analysis published this week. The outlet reported that inspectors closed 524 restaurants in 2025, up from 508 in 2024 and 374 in 2023.

Times of San Diego reported that vermin-related closures rose from 211 in 2022 to 442 in 2025. The analysis cited public records and noted that inspectors can temporarily close food facilities for major violations such as vermin infestations, lack of potable hot water, sewage issues and other sanitation problems.

County spokesperson Donna Durckel told Times of San Diego that the county's inspection number and process did not change during the period reviewed. The outlet also reported that the county data does not break down whether infestations involved rodents, insects, birds or other animals.

For Santee residents, the takeaway is practical: restaurant inspection results matter, especially during busy summer dining months when families are eating out across East County and the broader San Diego region. Local restaurants also have a clear reminder that pest exclusion, sanitation and quick correction plans are not back-office details; they are part of keeping doors open.

The full Times of San Diego report includes the countywide closure trend, expert context and the limits of the available data.