Grease Trap Regulations in Nevada

Overview

Nevada food service operators must follow FOG (fats, oils, and grease) pretreatment rules. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection sets the rules. Local water reclamation districts and health authorities enforce them. Grease interceptors must be installed at any food kitchen that sends grease into a sewer. Local health authorities or sewer utilities decide when one is required. Nevada has many restaurants and resorts, especially in the Las Vegas Valley. That mix has driven tougher FOG enforcement to protect city wastewater systems and downstream water quality.

Governing Authorities

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) is the state-level regulator. Its mission is to protect the state environment, public health, and ecosystems while supporting a strong economy. NDEP runs wastewater pretreatment programs through its Bureau of Water Pollution Control. It sets statewide standards under Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 445A.

Local enforcement runs through city water reclamation districts and health departments. The Clark County Water Reclamation District (CCWRD) is the local pretreatment authority for the Las Vegas Valley. It runs routine and surprise inspections to enforce FOG rules. The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) is the main health-side authority. It checks food kitchens for compliance with local health and safety codes in Las Vegas. NDEP regulates discharges from the City of Henderson's two water reclamation plants through an NPDES permit. The Clean Water Act and that permit require Henderson to run a Pretreatment Program. The City of Reno's Public Works Department runs its own FOG control program for kitchens inside city limits.

Key Requirements

Nevada food service kitchens must meet several core FOG rules:

• Interceptor Installation: A grease interceptor, not a small grease trap, is the preferred device for catching grease from a food kitchen. Title 14 of the City of Las Vegas Municipal Code requires businesses to install one when they may discharge materials that float or settle in the sewer. The rule applies to any kitchen that prepares or processes food, or washes dishes or equipment. That covers restaurants, cafes, fast food, pizza shops, delis, sandwich shops, coffee shops, smoothie and frozen yogurt shops, schools, nursing homes, and any other place that serves food.
• 25% Rule: Grease traps must be cleaned before FOG and solids pass 25% of the trap's capacity.
• Cleaning Frequency: Most Las Vegas food kitchens must clean grease traps at least quarterly. High-volume kitchens may need monthly service. Restaurants, hotels, and food service kitchens in Las Vegas usually need grease trap upkeep every 1 to 3 months.
• Record Retention: Upkeep records for each interceptor must stay on the premises at all times. They must be shown to an authorized agent of the sanitation authority on request. Owners must keep accurate cleaning and upkeep records. That means service date, cleaning frequency, contractor info, and disposal records. Inspectors may ask to see them during a visit.
• Professional Service: Licensed haulers must do grease removal and disposal. They must also provide the paperwork required for compliance.

Fines and Enforcement

Fines for non-compliance usually range from $500 to $5,000. The amount depends on how serious the violation is and whether it is a repeat. The Clark County Water Reclamation District can issue citations from $500 to $5,000 for non-compliance. Repeat violators may lose their health permits or face short-term closure. Citations, more frequent inspections, or closure may follow when conditions are severe and pose a public health risk.

The Clark County Water Reclamation District uses best management practices and oversees compliance at about 5,000 commercial FOG facilities. Enforcement tools include routine inspections, surprise inspections, and sampling. SNHD runs routine inspections to make sure restaurants keep grease collection up to standard. The Las Vegas Valley has dense restaurant traffic and 24/7 food service. That puts focus on large-volume kitchens along the Las Vegas Strip and at major resort properties.

Major City FOG Programs

Las Vegas

Las Vegas runs the most thorough FOG program in Nevada. The city has many high-volume food service kitchens. The Clark County Water Reclamation District (CCWRD) leads the program. The rules protect the city sewer system and water treatment plants from FOG damage. Upkeep records for each interceptor must stay on the premises at all times. They must be shown to a duly authorized agent of the sanitation authority on request. The Southern Nevada Health District provides training, guidance documents, and access to compliance experts. The city enforces Title 14 of the Las Vegas Municipal Code. That code requires grease interceptors for all commercial food kitchens with potential FOG discharge. CCWRD's annual FOG (fats, oil, grease, and grit) interceptor inspection fee rose from $100 to $125, phased in over two years.

Henderson

Federal Pretreatment Program rules sit in CFR Title 40 Part 403. Local rules sit in Henderson Municipal Code (HMC) 14.09. Commercial food kitchens must keep fats, oils, and grease out of the sewer. The most common FOG device is the gravity grease interceptor (GGI). Other types may be allowed in some cases. Henderson runs two water reclamation plants. They are the Kurt R. Segler facility and the Southwest facility. Both operate under NPDES permits. Both require full industrial pretreatment programs. The city's Pretreatment Program works with Business Licensing and Building and Fire Safety during the Certificate of Occupancy process. That helps catch new kitchens that need FOG control devices.

Reno

The City of Reno's Public Works Department runs FOG pretreatment for commercial food kitchens inside city limits. Reno enforces interceptor sizing rules, upkeep schedules, and record retention in line with federal pretreatment standards. Food service operators must get permits and accept routine inspections. The city works with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection on wastewater discharge quality and pretreatment compliance.

North Las Vegas

The U.S. EPA and NDEP reached a deal with the City of North Las Vegas. It resolved alleged Clean Water Act violations in the city's pretreatment program. The deal required the City to set up pretreatment rules for industrial pollutants and protect downstream waters. Restaurants, auto repair shops, laundries, and car washes are among the businesses that must install and use pretreatment gear. That gear removes oil, grease, sand, and other pollutants before they enter the sewer. The city's Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment Program covers routine inspections, permits, and sampling by City Pretreatment Inspectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often must I clean my grease trap in Nevada?

Cleaning frequency depends on trap size, kitchen type, and grease volume. Most Nevada cities require cleaning when FOG and solids reach 25% of trap capacity. High-volume kitchens may need monthly service. Lower-volume kitchens usually clean quarterly. Cleaning schedules must be in writing and kept on-site for local inspection.

What records must I keep for grease trap maintenance?

Nevada food kitchens must keep on-premises records of service dates, cleaning frequency, licensed contractor info, waste manifests, and disposal records. Records must be shown to authorized agents of the sanitation authority or health department on request. Many cities recommend keeping records for at least three years to prove ongoing compliance.

Can I be fined for improper grease trap maintenance?

Yes. Nevada cities impose serious penalties for FOG violations. In the Las Vegas Valley, fines usually range from $500 to $5,000. The amount depends on how severe the violation is and any repeat offenses. Other consequences include more frequent inspections, mandatory remedial action at the kitchen's expense, suspension of health permits, and short-term closure for serious public health risks.

Find Grease Trap Service in Nevada

We have 22 licensed grease trap service providers listed in Nevada. They serve commercial food kitchens across Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, and nearby communities. These pros offer routine pumping, emergency service, compliance paperwork, and advice on interceptor sizing and upkeep schedules. Visit our Nevada grease trap service directory to connect with contractors who know state and local FOG rules and can help your kitchen stay compliant in 2026.