Maryland · FOG rules

Baltimore, MD grease trap requirements

Official pumping rule: often enough to stay under the 25% Rule. A FOG or wastewater permit is required. Quoted from the official source below — verify with your city.

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Last checked Nov 2, 2026 against Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Pollution Control Section (FOG Program; City Code Article 25)

Program run by Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Pollution Control Section (FOG Program; City Code Article 25). Hand-checked against source Report an error / rule changed

Quick answer

How often to pump: Often enough to stay under the 25% Rule
Interceptor minimum / sizing: No minimum size stated in the sources we checked. Your local program or plumbing code sets it; estimate with the sizing calculator.
Permit / fees: Wastewater discharge permit required (DPW Pollution Control)

From the official source(s) below, last checked 2026-11-02. Rules change; verify with your city.

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Tell us what you need and we'll send your request to the Featured grease trap service companies in Baltimore, MD, with a copy to us. If there are none yet, it comes only to us and we may reply to help you find someone. Free, no obligation. For restaurants and for property, building and facility managers.

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Your name Your role Business or building name Street address or ZIP Trap type / size, if known Timing

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How often does Baltimore require grease trap pumping?

Baltimore's pumping rule is quoted below from the official source. Want a heads-up before your next pump-out? Get free email reminders on Baltimore's schedule. For restaurants and for property, building and facility managers. How reminders work

Baltimore: the official sources we checked say “often enough to stay under the 25% Rule”, but don't set a fixed pumping interval. Source: Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Pollution Control Section (FOG Program; City Code Article 25), checked 2026-11-02.

Fines: “Violations are enforced under Article 25 of the City Code and the DPW Pretreatment Enforcement Response Guide.” Source: Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Pollution Control Section (FOG Program; City Code Article 25), checked 2026-11-02.

We'll use every 90 days. That's our recommended schedule, not a legal requirement. Many programs also require pumping before grease and solids reach 25% of the trap's depth.

Business or building name* Email* City Last pump-out date* Trap type Trap size, if known My city requires every N days (optional)

Yes, email me free grease trap pump-out reminders from GreaseTrapRules for the business and city above: up to 3 emails before each due date. Reminders include a link to request quotes from local pumping companies; nothing is shared with any company unless I send a quote request myself or tick the optional sharing box below. I can unsubscribe in one click from any email. Privacy Policy Optional: let the Featured pumping companies for my city see my business name, city, email and next due date, so they can offer to book my pump-out. Off unless you tick it. You can turn it off any time by replying to any reminder email.

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Rules change; verify with your city. Summaries are plain-English restatements of the official source linked below; “Source says” shows the exact wording. Blank rows mean the sources we checked did not state that rule, not that there is no rule.

Baltimore grease trap rules at a glance

Grease trap and FOG (fats, oils and grease) rules for restaurants in Baltimore are set by Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Pollution Control Section (FOG Program; City Code Article 25). Pumping: often enough to stay under the 25% Rule. A FOG or wastewater permit is required. Pumping must be done by an approved or licensed hauler. Keep pumping records or manifests on site for inspectors. The ordinance sets penalties for violations (see Fines & penalties below). Got a FOG violation notice in Baltimore? What to do.

Of the 1 Maryland program we track, 1 states a pumping schedule and 1 requires a permit. We have not verified a pumping company for Baltimore yet; see Maryland pumping companies. Compare all Maryland cities.

Baltimore grease trap & interceptor rules, line by line

Required trap / interceptor type	A properly sized, installed and working grease control device is required, sized and installed under the Baltimore City Plumbing Code. ✓ checked against source
Sizing rule	Not stated in the sources we checked
Pumping / cleaning frequency	Clean the grease control device often enough to meet the 25% Rule: settled solids plus floating grease may not exceed 25% of the hydraulic depth (static water level to tank bottom). Frequency depends on fixtures, seating and device size. ✓ checked against source
Permit required?	Food service establishments need a valid wastewater discharge permit, issued by the DPW Pollution Control Section to non-residential sewer users. Inspectors may ask to see it. ✓ checked against source
Permit & program fees	Not stated in the sources we checked
Inspections	DPW conducts unannounced inspections. The inspector opens and tests the device against the 25% Rule, checks cleaning frequency on the log, observes yellow/brown grease disposal, and may take photos. ✓ checked against source
Record keeping	Keep an up-to-date maintenance log on site covering all device inspection, maintenance and disposal. Waste hauler manifests must be kept for 3 years. ✓ checked against source
Pumper / hauler approval	Spent grease must go off-site with a licensed hauler. ✓ checked against source
Reporting portal	Not stated in the sources we checked
Fines & penalties	Violations are enforced under Article 25 of the City Code and the DPW Pretreatment Enforcement Response Guide. ✓ checked against source
Program contact	410-396-9695 ✓ checked against source

Sources

https://www.baltimorecity.gov/media/10522 · checked 2026-11-02
https://www.baltimorecity.gov/fact-sheets-applications-and-presentations-0 · checked 2026-11-02

Featured spots in Baltimore: 3 of 3 available. Free to be listed — pumpers pay a flat $59 only when a request we send becomes a booked job. For pumping companies · Free service record & manifest maker

Grease trap cleaning & pumping companies in Baltimore, MD

No verified pumping company for Baltimore yet. Free listings are sorted A–Z. A listing is not an endorsement.

Pump traps in Baltimore? Free paperwork for every job. Make a service record or manifest PDF with the record fields Baltimore's rules ask for, signed on your phone and ready to send the restaurant.

Make a Baltimore service record

Before you book: Baltimore has hauler rules (see the table above). Ask the company to confirm it is approved for Baltimore, and keep a signed manifest for every pump-out.

Be the recommended pumper here. Top-pick pumpers get first look at quote requests from Baltimore kitchens. Listing is free; you pay a flat $59 only when a request we send becomes a booked job — under a short written agreement first, and nothing for leads that don’t book. 3 of 3 spots left
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Size your interceptor

Use the grease interceptor sizing calculator (UPC, IPC and PDI methods), then confirm Baltimore's own minimums above. Not sure how often to pump? Read how often to pump a grease trap.

Baltimore grease trap FAQ

How often do grease traps have to be pumped in Baltimore, MD?

Pump often enough to stay under the 25% Rule. Source: Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Pollution Control Section (FOG Program; City Code Article 25), checked 2026-11-02. Rules change; confirm with the local sewer authority.

Do restaurants in Baltimore need a grease trap permit?

Wastewater discharge permit required (DPW Pollution Control), per the official source checked 2026-11-02.

Who enforces grease trap rules in Baltimore, MD?

Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Pollution Control Section (FOG Program; City Code Article 25) (program contact: 410-396-9695). Contact them for permits, inspections and approved haulers.

Grease trap guides

For property and building managersTenant vs landlord, shared interceptors, records How often to pumpThe 25% rule and city schedules FOG inspection checklistWhat inspectors check Printable maintenance logPlus record-keeping rules All guidesSizing, trap vs interceptor, cost factors

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