Prepared by GreaseTrapLocator · Fact review: August 18, 2026
Confirm the Seattle requirement for the facility
Seattle Public Utilities says a business with commercial-kitchen plumbing fixtures and a King County Food Business Permit must install a grease interceptor. Confirm the plumbing and plan-review requirements for the actual address and project, especially for a new or remodeled operation.
Use Seattle's chamber-by-chamber operating standard
Under Seattle Municipal Code 21.16.310(C), an interceptor is out of compliance when grease, solids, or food waste displaces more than 25% of the effective volume of any chamber. If the manufacturer's written specification sets a different standard for continuous efficient operation, that written standard controls.
Choose a service interval that keeps the device within the applicable standard. Seattle Public Utilities can issue a site-specific installation or maintenance order.
Choose service-provider or self-maintenance carefully
Seattle Public Utilities publishes maintenance information for businesses that choose to do this work themselves. Follow the City resource, the manufacturer's written instructions, and applicable waste-handling requirements; do not improvise cleaning or disposal steps.
If hiring a company to pump or haul grease-trap waste in King County, ask it to confirm its current King County liquid-waste pumper/hauler certification and vehicle inspection, and confirm the waste destination. SPU's provider list is for convenience only; it is not City endorsement and is not complete.
Keep a useful maintenance log and avoid additives
SPU offers a maintenance-log resource. Keep a record of each service — who performed the work, the date, the amount removed, and the disposal location — for your own operational follow-up.
Seattle requires grease, solids, and food waste to be removed by manual or mechanical means. It prohibits emulsifying agents, enzymes, bio-additives, and similar chemicals in grease interceptors; they are not a substitute for cleaning.
Compare written Seattle service quotes
Seattle's public rules do not set a standard service price. Compare written quotes for the device and access, complete work scope, records supplied, applicable County pumper and vehicle status, waste destination, scheduling, after-hours terms, exclusions, and total price.
If sewage backs up into the business, SPU says to close immediately and contact Seattle-King County Public Health for further direction.
A practical facility checklist
- Confirm the facility and project requirements with Seattle and King County.
- Keep grease, solids, and food waste within the City or written manufacturer standard for every chamber.
- If hiring a commercial pumper or hauler, ask it to confirm the applicable County certification, vehicle inspection, and waste destination.
- Keep a maintenance log with the person, date, amount removed, and disposal location.
- Do not use emulsifiers, enzymes, bio-additives, or similar chemicals in the interceptor.
Frequently asked questions
When is a Seattle grease interceptor out of compliance?
Under Seattle Municipal Code 21.16.310(C), an interceptor is out of compliance when grease, solids, or food waste displaces more than 25% of the effective volume of any chamber, unless the manufacturer's written specification sets a different continuous-efficiency standard.
Can a Seattle business maintain its own grease interceptor?
Seattle Public Utilities publishes maintenance information for businesses that choose to do this work themselves. Follow the City resource, the manufacturer's written instructions, and applicable waste-handling requirements; do not improvise cleaning or disposal steps.
Are enzyme or bio-additive products allowed in a Seattle grease interceptor?
No. Seattle Municipal Code prohibits emulsifying agents, enzymes, bio-additives, and similar chemicals in grease interceptors. They do not replace proper cleaning.
What should a business check when hiring a Seattle-area pumper?
Ask the company to explain the cleaning scope, waste destination, and records it will provide. If it pumps or hauls grease-trap waste in King County, ask it to confirm its current King County liquid-waste pumper/hauler certification and vehicle inspection.
Official sources
- Seattle Public Utilities — FOG guidance for commercial kitchens
- Seattle Municipal Code — section 21.16.310
- King County — liquid-waste pumper/hauler certification
- Seattle — food-business permits and plan review
Fact-checked August 18, 2026. Local rules, permits, and official guidance can change; confirm current requirements for the service address. General information only, not legal, plumbing, engineering, environmental, health, or safety advice.
Author: Grease Trap Locator Editorial Team
The Grease Trap Locator editorial team covers FOG compliance, grease trap maintenance, and commercial kitchen regulations across the US and Canada. Our guides are written for restaurant owners, facility managers, and food service operators who need practical, accurate information without the fluff.
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