Grease Trap Regulations in Utah

Overview

Utah food service operators must follow FOG pretreatment rules under the Utah Division of Water Quality and local utilities. Grease traps must be fully cleaned at least every 30 days. Gravity grease interceptors must be cleaned at least every 90 days. The 25% rule also applies: clean as soon as FOG and food solids hit 25% of the device's capacity, no matter the calendar date. Utah's growing population and busy restaurant scene along the Wasatch Front have pushed FOG enforcement up across the state. Operators in Salt Lake City, Provo, St. George, and Heber City face the most active local programs.

Governing Authorities

The Utah Division of Water Quality (DWQ) sets state wastewater rules. It works with local sewer authorities to enforce FOG compliance. City ordinances give publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) the power to regulate wastewater collection and treatment. This lets POTWs meet local, state, and federal law.

Most enforcement happens at the city level. Key utilities include:

• Salt Lake City Public Utilities Water Reclamation Facility
• Salt Lake County Sanitation
• Provo City Power and Water
• St. George Regional Water Reclamation Facility (SGRWRF)
• Heber City Utilities

Interceptors and separators must keep oil, grease, sand, and other harmful substances out of the public sewer, private sewage system, or treatment plant. Size, type, and location must follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Key Requirements

Utah food service kitchens must meet specific grease interceptor and maintenance standards.

Grease Removal Device Installation

• You need a grease interceptor or automatic grease removal device to receive drainage from fixtures and equipment with grease-laden waste. This covers food prep areas in restaurants, hotel kitchens, hospitals, school kitchens, bars, factory cafeterias, and clubs.
• Interceptors apply to any new or old business when buildings are newly built, added to, or refurbished and need a building permit for food processing or preparation use.
• Size gravity grease interceptors by multiplying peak drain flow into the interceptor in gallons per minute by a 30-minute retention time.

Cleaning and Maintenance Frequency

• State plumbing rule: grease traps (hydro-mechanical grease interceptors) must be fully cleaned of FOG and food solids at least every 30 days.
• State plumbing rule: gravity grease interceptors (GGIs) must be cleaned at least every 90 days, or when they reach 25% of capacity in the inlet side (first chamber).
• State plumbing rule: if FOG and food solids exceed 25% in the trap, you must clean it as often as needed to keep below the 25% mark.
• St. George city rule: clean grease traps no less than weekly by removing accumulated grease.

Record-Keeping and Documentation

• Salt Lake City: Commercial and industrial sewer users, including FSEs, must keep records of grease control equipment maintenance, cleaning, and repairs on site for at least 5 years.
• St. George: Records must be kept for no less than three years. They must include cleaning dates, the waste hauler's name, and any notes on how well the interceptor or trap is working.
• All jurisdictions: Records must be available for inspection on request.

Fines and Enforcement

Non-compliance and repeated violations carry several consequences. Authorities may issue wastewater discharge permits with stricter limits. They can require more inspections and sampling. They can move the kitchen to a higher class loading assignment. They can also issue fees and fines under the Consolidated Fee Schedule.

Penalty structures vary by city:

• Some Utah water reclamation authorities issue fines of $100 or $200 per violation. Operators may also face civil penalties, a required compliance plan, installation of a properly sized exterior grease interceptor, and clean-up costs for blockages and sewer issues.
• Some authorities charge a $50 routine inspection fee under the FOG Ordinance.
• Heber City requires annual inspections and fines violators.
• General code violations in Provo can mean fines up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail.

Beyond fines, enforcement can include compliance inspections, required corrective action plans, revoked discharge permits, and recovery of cleanup costs when FOG causes a blockage or overflow.

Major City FOG Programs

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City Water Reclamation Facility collects, conveys, and treats more than 30 million gallons of wastewater every day, 365 days a year. The city runs a full FOG program under ordinances 17.32.020 and 17.36.140. Grease traps must be fully cleaned at least every 30 days. Cleaning must happen sooner when FOG and food solids reach 25% of capacity. Gravity grease interceptors must be cleaned at least every 90 days, or when they reach 25% of capacity in the inlet side — whichever comes first. All FSEs must post best management practice signs in the kitchen. They must also keep maintenance records for at least 5 years. The records must be available for inspection on request.

St. George

The St. George Regional Water Reclamation Facility (SGRWRF) enforces FOG rules under city ordinance 8-4-14. A professional engineer or plumber registered in Utah must size grease traps. Sizing must follow SGRWRF design standards and construction specifications at minimum. Operators must remove accumulated grease as needed. They must follow the manufacturer's specified frequency and clean no less than weekly. Weekly cleaning makes St. George the strictest jurisdiction in Utah on cleaning frequency. Records must be kept for no less than three years. They must be given to the pretreatment coordinator on request. Records must include the cleaning date, the waste hauler's name, and any notes on how well the trap is working. Grease interceptors must hold at least 1,000 gallons.

Provo

Grease, oil, and sand interceptors are required when needed to handle liquid wastes with high grease loads. Private living quarters and dwelling units are exempt. Interceptors must follow City standards for design and construction. Place them where they are easy to access for cleaning and inspection. They cannot sit on City property or in the public right-of-way. That keeps the unit on the kitchen's own lot. Provo follows the Utah Plumbing Code for sizing and installation. Operators planning a new kitchen in Provo should review those plumbing-code rules with a licensed Utah plumber before they break ground.

Heber City

Heber City adopted a FOGS Ordinance to prevent sewer blockages and reduce loading at the Heber Valley sewer treatment plant. The ordinance requires every Food Service Establishment to have a grease trap or interceptor. It includes annual inspections and fines for violations. The annual inspection cycle is the city's main enforcement tool. Heber City partners with the Wasatch County Health Department to monitor FOGS compliance. The two agencies share inspection findings and enforcement actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often must my grease trap be cleaned in Utah?

It depends on the type of device and the local ordinance. Hydro-mechanical grease traps (smaller units) need cleaning at least every 30 days. Gravity grease interceptors need cleaning at least every 90 days. Many Utah cities also use the 25% rule: if grease and solids reach 25% of capacity, you must clean immediately. St. George requires weekly cleaning. Check with your local utility for the exact rules.

Do I need to hire a licensed hauler to pump my grease interceptor?

Yes. Utah cities require licensed haulers to remove and transport grease trap waste. Keep manifests and pump-out records for 3 to 5 years, depending on your jurisdiction. They must be ready for inspection by pretreatment staff. Using an unlicensed hauler can lead to fines and enforcement action.

What happens if my restaurant causes a sewer blockage due to grease?

If FOG from your kitchen blocks a sewer or causes an overflow, you may face fines of $100 to $200 per occurrence. You may also face civil penalties, mandatory compliance plans, and full cleanup costs from the city. Repeat violations can mean more inspections, higher utility surcharges, suspended permits, or even forced closure until you fix the problem.

Find Grease Trap Service in Utah

We list 11 qualified grease trap service providers serving commercial kitchens and food service kitchens across Utah. These licensed pros offer interceptor installation, routine pumping and cleaning, emergency service, and compliance documentation. Many of them work across multiple cities and know the differences between Salt Lake City, Provo, St. George, and Heber City rules. Choosing a hauler that understands the local pretreatment program saves time during inspections. Visit our Utah grease trap service directory to find providers in your area and request quotes.