Home / Tools / Pump-out reminders

Managing several buildings or restaurants? Sign each one up with the same email, then see them all (trap, next due date, last pumper and an inspection-ready binder) on your free property manager dashboard.

How it works

1. Choose your city. We show its official pumping rule and fines, quoted from the source.
2. Enter your last pump-out date. We work out when the next one is due.
3. Confirm your email. Then we remind you before each due date.
4. After each pump-out, click "I got it pumped" in the email and the next cycle starts from that day.

Each reminder has a Get quotes from local pumpers button if you want prices. Prefer a calendar? Download a calendar reminder (.ics) instead, with no sign-up.

How often do you have to pump a grease trap?

Your local sewer authority sets the schedule; there is no national rule. Of the 182 programs we track, 63 set a maximum interval between pump-outs, most often 90 days (47 programs, including Houston, Dallas, Phoenix and Nashville). Small under-sink traps often have shorter limits: weekly for small traps in Joliet, IL, every 30 days in Wheaton, IL. At least 41 programs also require pumping before grease and solids reach 25% of the trap's depth, whichever comes first (check yours). More in how often to pump a grease trap.

Grease trap pumping frequency by city

89 of the 182 programs we track state a pumping rule in their official sources. Cities with a set maximum interval are listed first. Click a city for the full rule, source and date checked, and to set a reminder on that city's schedule. Cities not listed here didn't state a pumping frequency in the sources we checked; see the comparison table.

FAQ

How often should a grease trap be pumped?

As often as your local sewer authority requires. There is no national schedule. Of the 182 city and utility programs we track, 63 set a maximum number of days between pump-outs, most often 90 days (47 programs). At least 41 also require pumping before grease and solids reach 25% of the trap's depth or capacity, whichever comes first. Small under-sink traps often have much shorter limits, for example weekly for small traps in Joliet, IL and every 30 days in Wheaton, IL.

What is a typical grease trap cleaning schedule?

For large outdoor gravity interceptors, a 90-day maximum is the most common rule in the programs we track, for example Houston, Dallas, Austin and New Orleans. A few allow longer: 180 days in Garland, TX, Gilbert, AZ and Columbia, SC. Small indoor traps are often on a weekly to monthly schedule. Your permit or inspector can set a different schedule, and a trap that hits the 25% level needs pumping sooner.

How often does my city require grease trap pumping?

Choose your city in the form above to see its pumping rule quoted from the official source, with the date we last checked it, or find it in the table below. If the sources we checked don't set a fixed interval, we say so and use a recommended 90 days, which you can change to the interval on your permit.

What happens if I miss a pump-out?

It depends on your city. Penalties in official sources we track include up to $10,000 per day, per violation in New York City and $250 to $5,000 in Seattle. Each reminder quotes your city's fine when its official source lists one.

Is it really free?

Yes. Reminders are free for restaurants and for property, building and facility managers. There's nothing to buy.

Where does the schedule come from?

From your city's official ordinance or program page, linked in each reminder with the date we last checked it. If the sources we checked don't set a fixed interval, we use a recommended 90 days and say so. You can always enter your own interval, for example the one in your permit.

Can I sign up several buildings or locations?

Yes. Sign up once for each location, so each one gets reminders on its own city's schedule.

Do you share my email with pumping companies?

Not unless you ask us to. Your reminder sign-up is only used to send your reminders. If you tick the optional "let Featured pumpers contact me" box, the Featured companies for your city can see your business name, city, email and next due date so they can offer to book your pump-out; reply "stop sharing" to any reminder to turn that off. Each reminder also has a "Get quotes" button; if you use it and send a quote request, we share that request with the Featured companies in your city, as the quote form explains.

How do I stop the emails?

Click "Unsubscribe" at the bottom of any reminder. It takes one click and deletes your sign-up.

Reminders are a convenience, not legal advice. Your city, permit or inspector can require a different schedule; always confirm with your sewer authority.

Free printables: Inspection-day kit · Manager handoff sheet