Grease Trap Regulations in Texas

Overview

Texas food service operators must follow FOG pretreatment rules. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) sets the state-level rules. Local sewer utilities set the city-level rules. Dallas Water Utilities has cut FOG blockages in the sewer system by 96% over five years. That drop shows what strict compliance can do. About 75 percent of sanitary sewer overflows in San Antonio come from grease and debris. This puts Texas FOG programs in the spotlight. The state has a large food service industry and a warm climate, so FOG risk runs high across major metro areas. Operators in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin all face their own city ordinances on top of state law.

Governing Authorities

At the state level, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulates the pumping, transport, and disposal of all grease trap waste. The 78th Texas Legislature added language to Texas Water Code 26.049. That section requires TCEQ to set model standards for operators of separate sanitary sewer systems. TCEQ may also regulate the design, size, and installation of grease traps and interceptors when permitting a septic system.

Local enforcement falls to municipal pretreatment programs. Dallas Water Utilities' Liquid Waste Section permits, monitors, inspects, and regulates liquid waste haulers and transporters. Houston's City Code Section 47-512(b) requires every interceptor inside city limits to be fully pumped at least once every 90 days, with enforcement by Houston Public Works. San Antonio Water System (SAWS) runs a FOG Control Program. Austin Water Utility runs the FOG Ordinance under Chapter 15-10 of the Austin City Code.

Key Requirements

Texas food service businesses must meet these rules:

• Interceptor Installation: All food service businesses must install a properly sized grease interceptor. Houston requires gravity grease interceptors with a total volume of at least 500 gallons. Sizing must match local standards and the manufacturer's specs.
• Cleaning Frequency: Houston requires every interceptor to be fully pumped at least every 90 days unless a Notice of Waiver is filed and approved. Dallas requires cleaning when floating grease and settled solids together reach 25% of the total liquid depth, or at minimum every 90 days. Austin requires every grease trap to be fully emptied and cleaned by a permitted liquid waste hauler at least once every three months. Cleaning must happen sooner if grease and solids in the final compartment reach 50% or more of the wetted height. San Antonio treats food service businesses as in violation when grease exceeds 25 percent of the wetted height during an inspection.
• Registered Haulers: Only waste haulers registered with the City of Dallas can legally transport and dispose of grease trap waste. All major Texas cities require TCEQ-registered haulers with local permits.
• Manifest Requirements: A waste manifest is an official government document. It must be filled out every time your interceptor is cleaned. The generator signs to confirm the entire trap was emptied. Houston requires generator and returned generator copies to be kept onsite for five years. Dallas businesses must keep cleaning and maintenance records for at least three years.
• Discharge Limits: Austin Water samples wastewater to enforce a FOG discharge limit of 200 mg/L. Houston has similar discharge standards monitored through sample port testing.
• Annual Inspections: San Antonio requires food service and processing businesses to perform an annual interceptor inspection. A licensed plumber or other qualified professional approved by SAWS must do the work. The written report must include photos of all inlet and outlet fittings, internal baffles, walls, floor, and other internal structures.

Fines and Enforcement

Texas enforces FOG rules strictly. When environmental laws are broken, TCEQ can levy administrative penalties up to the statutory maximum, which is up to $25,000 per day per violation for some programs. Civil penalties run from $50 to $25,000 per day. Penalties run from $100 to $25,000 if the defendant was already assessed a civil penalty by TCEQ within the same year.

City-level penalties vary. Dallas violations can bring fines from $200 to $2,000 per day, with higher penalties for repeat offenders. Houston non-compliance can lead to a Notice of Violation or citation for each offense, with citation fines from $250 to $2,000 per violation. Austin violations carry fines up to $2,000 per occurrence. San Antonio can issue a Notice of Violation for exceeding the 25% wetted height limit, which can lead to substantial fines.

Houston uses a progressive enforcement plan. Actions range from Notices of Violation and Administrative Orders to sewer or water service shutoff and administrative fines. Enforcement tools include surprise inspections, sampling at discharge ports, and sludge level checks with specialized equipment.

Major City FOG Programs

Dallas

Dallas City Code, Volume I, Chapter 19, Article X covers liquid waste transport. It regulates the disposal of grease waste and the install and operation of grease traps. The City of Dallas built specific rules into its Liquid Waste Program, enforced by Dallas Water Utilities, to protect the city's wastewater system. A Dallas Water Utilities Liquid Waste Inspector will visit your restaurant to confirm your grease trap is serviced at least every 90 days. Dallas runs on the 25% rule. Cleaning is required when floating grease and settled solids together hit 25% of the total liquid depth, no matter how recently the trap was pumped.

Houston

The Houston Public Works Department runs a Special Waste Program. Every restaurant or food facility that creates special waste needs a permit. So does every transporter of that waste. Section 47-512(b) of the City of Houston Code of Ordinances requires every interceptor to be fully pumped at least every 90 days. In Houston, grease trap inspections happen on a routine basis or after a complaint, with no advance notice. Houston requires five-year manifest retention. It enforces discharge limits through sample port monitoring.

San Antonio

San Antonio runs a FOG ordinance called the SAWS Grease Reduction Program. The EPA drove the program because of sanitary sewer overflows. San Antonio focuses on instant inspection results using a long measuring pole called a sludge judge. A food service business is in violation when grease exceeds 25 percent of the wetted height during a San Antonio Water System inspection. SAWS requires annual inspections by licensed plumbers or approved professionals. Inspectors must photograph all internal parts, and any defects must be fixed within 90 days.

Austin

Austin City Code Chapter 15-10 sets maintenance and documentation rules for grease traps. Austin requires grease traps to be pumped at least every 90 days. Cleaning must happen sooner if 50% or more of the wetted height is grease and solids. Austin bans the use of bacteria, enzymes, or chemical emulsifiers in grease traps and interceptors. Food grinders and disposals have been banned in commercial kitchens in the Austin Water service area since 2008. Austin enforces a strict discharge limit of 200 mg/L through wastewater sampling at sample ports.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often must I clean my grease trap in Texas?

Most major Texas cities require grease trap cleaning every 90 days at minimum. The actual frequency depends on accumulation. Dallas and San Antonio require cleaning when grease and solids reach 25% of the wetted height. Austin triggers mandatory cleaning at 50% of the wetted height. High-volume kitchens may need monthly service to stay compliant. Always clean before you hit your city's threshold percentage, no matter how much time has passed.

Who can pump my grease trap?

Only haulers registered with both TCEQ and your local city can legally transport grease trap waste. Each city keeps a list of permitted waste haulers. You are responsible for checking your hauler's credentials, including current permits and proper vehicle markings. Using an unlicensed hauler can result in fines even if you did not know. Ask to see the hauler's city-issued ID card and vehicle decals before service.

What records must I keep?

All Texas food service businesses must keep waste manifests for every grease trap cleaning. Houston requires five-year retention. Dallas and Austin require three years. Manifests must show the hauler's information, volume removed, disposal location, and signatures from all parties. Keep manifests onsite and ready for inspectors who may arrive without notice. Missing or incomplete records can result in citations and fines from $200 to $2,000 per violation depending on your city.

Find Grease Trap Service in Texas

Grease Trap Locator currently lists 170 grease trap service providers serving Texas food service businesses. These TCEQ-registered haulers offer pumping, cleaning, and maintenance across the state's major metro areas and surrounding regions. A reliable, compliant service provider is key to keeping your FOG permit and avoiding costly violations. Visit our Texas grease trap service directory to connect with licensed haulers in your area, compare services, and keep your facility in full compliance with state and local rules.