FOG Requirements by State
Look up grease trap and FOG compliance requirements for all 50 US states and Canadian provinces. See the common cleaning interval, record retention requirement, hauler licensing status, and the primary regulatory authority for each jurisdiction.
How FOG Regulation Actually Works in the US and Canada
There is no single federal grease trap law in the United States. The EPA sets discharge standards under the Clean Water Act, but FOG program specifics — cleaning frequencies, inspection requirements, hauler licensing, and enforcement — are set at the state and municipal level. This creates significant variation: a restaurant in Dallas operates under a different set of requirements than one in Phoenix, even though both are in states with active environmental programs.
In Canada, the structure is similar. Federal guidelines apply through the Fisheries Act and provincial environmental acts, but operational requirements are set by municipalities. Toronto's Food Service Establishment Environmental Code of Practice mandates monthly cleaning; smaller Ontario municipalities may have less prescriptive requirements. This tool shows the regulatory framework for each state or province, the most common cleaning interval applied in that jurisdiction's major municipalities, and the authority responsible for FOG oversight.
Important: Requirements shown reflect the most common standard across major municipalities in each state or province. Your specific municipality may have stricter requirements. Always confirm your exact obligation with your local sewer authority or environmental regulator — use this tool to orient your research, not to substitute for it.
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Why Requirements Vary So Much — and What That Means for You
The variation in FOG requirements across the US and Canada reflects three factors: the age and capacity of local sewer infrastructure, the density of food service establishments in the municipality, and the political history of FOG enforcement in each jurisdiction. Cities with older combined sewer systems — like New York, Chicago, and many Northeastern cities — have the most aggressive FOG programs because their aging infrastructure is most vulnerable to grease-related blockages. Newer cities in the Sun Belt often have more permissive baseline requirements, though municipalities with rapid restaurant growth are increasingly adopting stricter programs.
For restaurant operators, the practical takeaway is that the state framework tells you what the minimum floor is, but your local sewer authority's ordinance is what governs your operation. The table above will show you whether your state has an active FOG program — if it does, your municipality almost certainly has a formal ordinance with defined cleaning intervals. If the state is framework-only, your municipality may still have an active program that simply isn't part of a statewide structure.
Canadian operators face an additional layer: provincial environmental acts govern waste hauler licensing and manifest requirements, while municipalities set the operational requirements for food service establishments. Ontario's FSE Environmental Code of Practice is one of the most prescriptive in North America — monthly cleaning is the standard for most Toronto-area operations, which is significantly more frequent than the 90-day standard common in US markets.
FOG Regulations — Common Questions
No — and typically it works in the opposite direction. State standards set a minimum floor; municipalities can and frequently do adopt requirements that are stricter than the state standard. In Texas, for example, the TCEQ model FOG ordinance recommends 90-day cleaning intervals for large traps, but Houston, Austin, and Dallas have all adopted programs with specific additional requirements, sampling obligations, and separate permitting. Always comply with the stricter of state and local requirements, which in most jurisdictions means the municipal ordinance is the operative standard.
A state-level FOG program means the state environmental or water quality agency has published formal guidance, a model ordinance, or direct regulations governing FOG control for food service establishments. Texas TCEQ, California State Water Resources Control Board, and New York DEC are examples of state agencies that have issued explicit FOG guidance. In states without a formal state program, FOG regulation falls entirely to individual municipalities — your city may have an excellent FOG ordinance even if the state has no formal program. "Municipal-level" doesn't mean no regulation; it means the regulation originates at the city level rather than the state.
When a state or province requires licensed waste haulers, it means the contractor you hire to pump your grease trap must hold a state-issued permit to transport and dispose of non-hazardous liquid waste or grease trap waste specifically. In practice this means: ask your contractor for their permit number before they start work, verify it's current (permits are typically annual), and ensure the waste manifest they provide includes the permit number. Using an unlicensed hauler — even if you didn't know they were unlicensed — can void your compliance documentation and may expose you to secondary liability for improper disposal. Most states with active FOG programs maintain public databases where you can verify a hauler's current permit status.
This tool shows state and provincial frameworks, not individual city ordinances. For your specific municipal requirements, contact your local publicly owned treatment works (POTW) or sewer authority directly — search for "[your city] sewer authority FOG program" or "[your city] grease trap ordinance". Most municipalities with active FOG programs have publicly available documentation online. If you can't find information online, call your city or county public works department and ask specifically whether there is a FOG control ordinance and what the required cleaning frequency is for your establishment type. Get the answer in writing if possible.
This lookup reflects state and provincial frameworks as of early 2026. State-level program status and hauler licensing requirements change infrequently — typically when a state adopts or amends its FOG guidance or environmental program. Record retention requirements are more stable and change rarely. Cleaning interval standards shown are representative of major municipalities in each state and are updated annually. For any compliance decision, always verify current requirements directly with your regulatory authority before acting on information in this tool.
Find Licensed Contractors In Your State
Search 2,400+ verified grease trap operators across all 50 US states and Canadian provinces. Filter by location to find licensed contractors who understand your state's specific FOG requirements and provide compliant documentation.