Grease Trap Regulations in Ontario

Overview

Ontario's grease trap rules come from the Ontario Building Code. The Code says any fixture that handles fats, oils, or grease must connect through a grease interceptor. This applies wherever food is cooked or prepared.

The province sets the basic installation rules. Each city or town controls how often traps must be cleaned and how the rules are enforced.

Municipal sewer use bylaws across Ontario's major cities add enforcement powers. Non-compliance fines can reach $100,000 in Toronto under Municipal Code Chapter 681 (Sewers).

Governing Authorities

Federal rules. Ontario sits under two federal layers. The Fisheries Act, R.S.C. 1985 c. F-14 §36(3) bans harmful discharge into fish-bearing waters. The Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations (SOR/2012-139) set national effluent standards for municipal wastewater systems. Equipment must meet CSA B481, the Canadian standard for grease interceptor design and flow-rate testing, harmonized with ASME A112.14.3:2022.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) grants cities authority over sewage infrastructure. Cities then enforce FOG rules through their local sewer use bylaws. The Ontario Building Code sets base requirements at the provincial level.

• City of Toronto: Toronto's Sewers By-law requires all food-cooking businesses to install, operate, and maintain a grease trap.
• City of Ottawa: Ottawa's Sewer Use By-law No. 2025-94 governs grease trap rules.
• City of Hamilton: Hamilton's Sewer Use By-law 14-090 controls all discharge into the city's sewage works.
• Regional Municipalities: York Region, Peel Region (By-law 53-2010), and other regional bodies run FOG programs for their member municipalities.

Key Requirements

Grease interceptors must meet ASME A112.14.3-2022 / CSA B481.1:22. The Ontario Building Code 2024, effective 2025, is moving to this updated standard. The older CSA B481 Series still applies to existing units.

• Cleaning Frequency: Each city sets its own schedule. The common rule is to clean before grease and solids reach 25% of the trap's liquid volume. Ottawa By-law 2025-94 §16 requires monthly or at 25% capacity. Markham requires every 28 days or at 25% capacity. Hamilton By-law 14-090 uses only the 25% capacity trigger. Check your local bylaw.
• Waste Hauler Certification: Use haulers with an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) under the Environmental Protection Act, O. Reg. 347. These are often called "MECP-certified" haulers.
• Record-Keeping: Keep the trap running at all times. Maintain maintenance records. Officers may ask to see them at any time.
• Interceptor Sizing: Commercial dishwashers must connect to a properly sized grease interceptor per the Ontario Building Code.
• Building Permits: You need a building permit before installing any grease interceptor or grease recovery device.

Fines and Enforcement

Not having a working grease trap can result in fines up to $100,000 in Toronto.

In Greater Sudbury, non-compliance under By-law 2010-188 falls under the Municipal Act, 2001. That Act sets a minimum of $500 per day for ongoing violations. Penalties grow with the severity and duration of non-compliance.

Cities have several enforcement tools. They can prosecute under local sewer use bylaws. They can bill back the cost of grease blockage repairs. They can order temporary or permanent closure through public health authorities. They can recover clean-up costs from responsible parties. They can also issue administrative penalties and compliance orders.

Major City FOG Programmes

Toronto

Toronto's Sewers By-law requires all food businesses to install, operate, and maintain a grease trap. This covers any business that cooks, heats, processes, or prepares food on-site. Examples include restaurants, coffee shops, and banquet halls.

Toronto's Food Service Establishment Environmental Code of Practice is a Toronto-specific tool under Municipal Code Ch.681. It is not a provincial rule. It requires pump-outs at least once a month. The hauler must hold an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) under the Environmental Protection Act.

Haulers must provide a written report after each pump-out. The report must include the level of FOG and solids found. It must also estimate the right maintenance frequency. It must note the trap's condition and confirm where the waste was taken.

Ottawa

The owner or operator of certain premises must install grease traps on all fixtures. This applies to commercial food preparation, vehicle maintenance, and dentistry. The traps keep grease, oil, sand, and dental amalgam out of the sewer.

Ottawa Sewer Use By-law 2025-94 §16 requires cleaning monthly or when grease and solids reach 25% of liquid volume, whichever comes first.

Compliance officers have the right to enter premises at any time. They can inspect the grease trap and its operation. They can also request copies of maintenance records and procedures. Failing to maintain the trap or provide records is a bylaw violation.

Mississauga

Mississauga falls under Region of Peel Wastewater By-law 53-2010. This rule covers Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon. Food businesses must install and maintain grease interceptors sized to fixture flow rates. Commercial kitchens must also keep a regular pump-out schedule. Inspectors set the cleaning interval, which generally follows a monthly timetable. The Region's Environmental Control department conducts approximately 6,000 inspections per year across the region.

Hamilton

Hamilton's Sewer Use By-law 14-090 Part 7 covers grease control devices. Hamilton's rule is purely capacity-based: clean before grease and solids reach 25% of liquid volume. There is no fixed time interval.

Codes of practice apply to specific commercial, industrial, and institutional operations. They set required procedures, equipment, and training. The city's Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement unit runs the bylaw and samples facilities that discharge to Hamilton's sewage works.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of grease interceptor is required in Ontario?

You must use an interceptor that meets ASME A112.14.3-2022 / CSA B481.1:22 per the Ontario Building Code. The Ontario Building Code 2024, effective 2025, is moving to this updated standard. The older CSA B481 Series still applies to existing equipment.

CSA-certified interceptors show the flow rating, removal efficiency, maximum capacity, and inlet size on their markings.

How often must I pump my grease trap in Ontario?

Your local city sets the schedule. There is no single province-wide rule. The common baseline is to clean before grease and solids reach 25% of liquid volume. Ottawa By-law 2025-94 §16 requires monthly or at 25% capacity. Markham requires every 28 days or at 25% capacity. Hamilton By-law 14-090 uses only the 25% trigger. All pump-outs must use haulers with an ECA under Ontario's Environmental Protection Act, O. Reg. 347.

Can I use enzymes or additives in my grease trap?

No. Enzymes and additives only push FOG further down the sewer. The grease hardens there and blocks the pipe. Most bylaws ban this practice because it moves the problem rather than fixing it.

Find Grease Trap Service in Ontario

GreaseTrapLocator.com lists 71 certified grease trap service providers across Ontario. These companies offer installation, maintenance, pump-out services, and emergency repairs. They help food businesses meet provincial and municipal FOG rules. Our directory includes waste haulers with Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECAs) under Ontario's Environmental Protection Act. These haulers are qualified to service commercial kitchens across the province. Find a grease trap service provider in Ontario to keep your business compliant and avoid costly fines.