FOG inspection checklist: what grease inspectors check
By Stew Israil, GreaseTrapRules · Updated Oct 18, 2026 · Every rule below links to its official source. Rules change; verify with your city.
Short answer: inspectors check two things: your paperwork (manifests and logs) and the trap itself (fill level, condition, what drains into it). Here is what official programs say they look for. Print it and walk your kitchen before the inspector does.
- Pumping records and manifests on site. Keep every manifest or service record where the inspector can see it. Retention periods vary: 1 year statewide in Florida (Florida Statutes § 403.0741 (grease waste removal and disposal)), 3 years in Austin, TX and Dallas, TX, 5 years in Houston, TX. See the printable log.
- Grease and solids under the limit. Inspectors measure the layers. In San Antonio, TX, an interceptor at 25% or more of the wetted height during a SAWS inspection is a violation; New York, NY sets 25% of the designed liquid depth (15 RCNY §19-11(q)).
- Pumped on schedule. Your pump-out dates must fit the city maximum (often 90 days for interceptors). See how often to pump.
- Approved or licensed hauler. Many programs only accept permitted haulers: Austin, TX, Dallas, TX, Houston, TX, and certified haulers in Virginia Beach, VA. Florida requires a grease waste hauler for interceptor cleanings.
- Full pump-out, not a skim. Madison, WI says external interceptors should be pumped, not skimmed. DC Water says both compartments must be left completely empty, with liquids, sludge and wall scrapings removed (DC Water, FOG Interceptor/Trap Log (with BMPs)).
- No enzymes, bacteria or emulsifiers. Prohibited by IPC 1003.3.3 and in Seattle, WA (SMC 21.16.310 D) and Austin, TX (§ 15-10-22(23), up to $2,000 per violation per day).
- All grease fixtures plumbed to the trap. Madison, WI: make sure floor drains and sinks in food prep areas don't bypass the trap. Phoenix, AZ inspectors document how many grease-bearing fixtures a kitchen has.
- No garbage disposal draining to it. Food waste disposers may not discharge to a grease interceptor under the IPC; Austin, TX bans disposals in commercial kitchens and New York, NY doesn't allow them in commercial establishments.
- Trap accessible, lid and bolts working. Austin Water's maintenance page tells operators to check that lids aren't blocked, bolts aren't seized and covers aren't damaged (Austin Water, Grease Trap Maintenance).
- Trained staff. Virginia Beach, VA requires at least one FOG Certified employee at each food service establishment.
- Kitchen best practices. Scrape plates into the trash, use drain screens, keep used cooking oil covered, and never pour grease down drains (DC Water BMP list, DC Water, FOG Interceptor/Trap Log (with BMPs)).
Who inspects, and how often (quoted)
| City | Inspection rule, from the official source |
|---|---|
| Charleston, SC | CWS inspects traps after installation and conducts periodic inspections of grease traps; unsatisfactory traps must be re-inspected. ✓ hand-checked |
| Charlotte, NC | Grease-handling facilities are subject to CLTWater inspection during normal working hours; two consecutive unsatisfactory inspections may bring penalties under the Sewer Use Ordinance. ✓ hand-checked |
| Columbia, SC | Columbia Water FOG inspectors look inside the trap or interceptor, check the grease level and the outlet tee, and review maintenance logs. ✓ hand-checked |
| Denton, TX | A city pretreatment inspector visits to verify 90-day service by a permitted hauler, measures the FOG layers and checks kitchen BMPs such as sink screens. ✓ hand-checked |
| Glenview, IL | Food establishments need a Village Food Service License (renewed annually) and annual Village health inspections. ✓ hand-checked |
| Honolulu, HI | Wastewater Service Investigators take a core sample from the interceptor to determine pumping frequency, so the interceptor must stay accessible. ✓ hand-checked |
| Houston, TX | Restaurants, cafeterias and commercial kitchens are inspected at least annually by the Houston Health Department. ✓ hand-checked |
| Kansas City, MO | Kansas City inspects food service facilities for sewer use code compliance every two years. ✓ hand-checked |
| New York, NY | DEP routinely sends inspectors to check that interceptors are correctly sized, installed, maintained and operating. ✓ hand-checked |
| Newark, NJ | Facilities with grease interceptors must have employees inspect them weekly. ✓ hand-checked |
| Northbrook, IL | Food-related business permits and building/equipment plans are approved by Development & Planning Services before construction; after a permit is issued the department conducts semi-annual inspections. ✓ hand-checked |
| Provo, UT | Owners must regularly inspect interceptors and provide inspection records on request; the City may inspect records or interceptors and set a deadline to clean a noncompliant interceptor. ✓ hand-checked |
| San Jose, CA | San José FOG inspections are unannounced and happen during business hours. Inspectors check FOG documentation, indoor and outdoor areas and cleaning practices; uncorrected, repeated or serious violations escalate up to fines. ✓ hand-checked |
| Tulsa, OK | Inspect small grease traps weekly and interceptors monthly for damaged parts and the amount of grease (City of Tulsa BMP checklist). ✓ hand-checked |
| Virginia Beach, VA | FOG Program compliance inspectors conduct formal annual inspections of food service facilities. The FOG Ordinance also requires at least one FOG Certified employee at each food service establishment. ✓ hand-checked |
| Abilene, TX | Inspect grease trap/interceptor for damage, photograph any areas that may need maintenance or repair, and report findings to Generator. quoted from source |
| Albuquerque, NM | Inspections Water Authority Pretreatment staff will routinely perform FOG inspections at FSEs. quoted from source |
| Anaheim, CA | A FSE may submit an application for use of alternative materials or methods of construction, in lieu of a grease interceptor, to the inspector or his/her designee. quoted from source |
| Aurora, IL | Completed grease traps and interceptors shall be subject to inspection by the Control Authority Pretreatment Inspector prior to connection to the sanitary sewer. quoted from source |
| Baton Rouge, LA | (2) During cleaning, grease residue shall be removed from piping and walls and the piping and walls shall be inspected to assure the integrity of the device is maintained. quoted from source |
| Chattanooga, TN | The owner shall provide personnel to open/close the grease interceptor for inspection. quoted from source |
| Colorado Springs, CO | During an inspection of a food service establishment, if a violation is noted, a field notice of observed violation may be served. quoted from source |
| Corpus Christi, TX | All FSEs’ grease-handling facilities shall be subject to review, evaluation, and inspection by City representatives during normal working hours. quoted from source |
| Dallas, TX | The inspector may increase your pump out frequency if your interceptor is undersized or needs more maintenance. quoted from source |
| Denver, CO | The grease interceptor shall be accessible and may be inspected on a periodic basis by WMD. quoted from source |
| Edwardsville, IL | Prior to operation, the interceptor shall be inspected by the director of public works or his designated representative. quoted from source |
| Elgin, IL | Completed grease traps and separators shall be subject to inspection by the FRWRD Inspector prior to connection to the sanitary sewer. quoted from source |
| Fox Lake, IL | The owner/lessee shall conduct, on a monthly basis, an inspection of each interceptor. quoted from source |
| Fresno, CA | The access structures shall also have readily removable covers to facilitate inspection, grease removal and wastewater sampling activities. quoted from source |
| Garland, TX | In any event, a grease trap and grease interceptor shall be fully evacuated, cleaned, and inspected at least once every 180 days. quoted from source |
| Glen Ellyn, IL | The user shall, upon request by the Building and Zoning Official of the Village, or his/her authorized agent(s) or representative(s), open the access to the FOG trap or FOG recovery system for inspection, including, but not limited to, unbolting and removing covers and/or manholes. quoted from source |
| Huntsville, AL | However, building permits issued by the Inspections Department may require installation of a grease control device from plans designed and stamped by a Professional Engineer. quoted from source |
| Knoxville, TN | Following a grease trap inspection, KUB will provide a copy of the completed inspection form and any other documentation associated with noncompliant issues observed. quoted from source |
| Las Vegas, NV | Interceptors shall not be backfilled until the inspection has been made to verify there are no leaks. quoted from source |
| Lexington, KY | Water Quality will inspect the grease interceptor after installation is complete. quoted from source |
| Little Rock, AR | LRWRA shall inspect all Grease Traps, 19 Interceptors, and plumbing connections; may request other pertinent data; and may take 20 samples, as necessary. quoted from source |
| Louisville, KY | Personnel from MSD’s IWD will inspect the grease control equipment. quoted from source |
| New Orleans, LA | Before a permit can be issued, each permittee shall obtain a licensed plumber or other qualified professional approved by SWBNO to inspect each grease trap/interceptor. quoted from source |
| Omaha, NE | The chief plumbing inspector will review the plans and menu to determine whether or not the facility will produce grease laden waste. quoted from source |
| Oswego, IL | Completed grease traps and interceptors shall be subject to inspection by the Control Authority Pretreatment Inspector prior to connection to the sanitary sewer. quoted from source |
| Phoenix, AZ | THE KITCHEN AREA The inspector will document how many grease bearing fixtures are in the facility. quoted from source |
| Portland, OR | Inspections may occur at any time without warning during and after normal working hours to verify appropriate grease interceptor cleaning or during an emergency response or blockage investigation. quoted from source |
| Round Lake, IL | The interceptor shall be located outside the building and shall be accessible for maintenance and inspection purposes. quoted from source |
| Salt Lake City, UT | Inspection, Approval, And Maintenance Of Interceptor: Where installed, interceptors must be inspected and approved by the city, and shall be maintained in continuous efficient operation at all times by the user at the user's sole expense. quoted from source |
| San Antonio, TX | Not less frequently than once per calendar year, each FSE and FPE shall cause a licensed plumber or other qualified professional approved by SA WS to inspect each interceptor. quoted from source |
| Savannah, GA | All grease interceptors shall be designed and installed in accordance with this standard to allow for complete access to inspection, maintenance, etc. quoted from source |
| Schaumburg, IL | The village may make, without notice to the owner or facility, periodic inspections of the grease trap/interceptor to verify current operating conditions. quoted from source |
| Spokane, WA | The Wastewater Director may conduct an inspection of grease control devices, sand traps, and oil/water separators. quoted from source |
| Stockton, CA | The manholes shall also have readily removable covers to facilitate inspection, grease removal, and wastewater sampling activities. quoted from source |
| Washington, DC | The revenue generated by this fee will allow regular inspection of FSEs to reduce the risk of sewer clogs or breaks associated with FOG discharge. quoted from source |
| Woodstock, IL | Such interceptors shall be inspected, cleaned and repaired regularly, as needed, by the owner at his expense. quoted from source |
FAQ
What do FOG inspectors look for?
Mostly paperwork and the trap itself: pumping manifests or logs on site, a trap below the fill limit (often 25%), pump-outs within the city interval by an approved hauler, no enzymes or additives, and all grease fixtures plumbed to the trap.
How often are restaurants inspected for grease?
It varies: Houston inspects restaurants and commercial kitchens at least annually, Virginia Beach does formal annual inspections, and some programs inspect less often or based on risk.
What happens if I fail a grease trap inspection?
Usually a notice of violation and a required pump-out or repair, then fines for repeat or serious violations. Penalties we track include up to $2,000 per violation per day in Austin, $250 to $5,000 in Seattle and up to $10,000 per day in New York City.
More guides
How often to pump a grease trapThe 25% rule and the 30, 60 and 90-day schedules cities actually setGrease trap vs. grease interceptorHydromechanical vs. gravity: definitions, sizes and why the pumping rules differGrease interceptor sizing basicsUPC, IPC, PDI and city formulas, plus the minimum sizes cities requireDoes my business need a grease trap?Coffee shops, bakeries, food trucks and drinks-only businesses, by city ruleGrease trap maintenance log (printable)Free printable log plus how long each city makes you keep recordsWhat affects grease trap cleaning costThe cost drivers your city controls, and the official fees and fines we can sourceGrease interceptor sizing calculatorUPC, IPC and PDI G-101 methods
Sources
- Florida Statutes § 403.0741 (grease waste removal and disposal)
- DC Water, FOG Interceptor/Trap Log (with BMPs)
- Austin Water, Grease Trap Maintenance
- Seattle Public Utilities, FOG: Commercial Kitchens
- City of Madison Engineering, Fats, Oils & Grease
- ICC, 2021 IPC and UPC Essentials (definitions, IPC 1003.3.2 and 1003.3.3)
- City rules quoted on this page come from each linked city page, which lists its official sources and the date checked.