California restaurants are required to maintain grease traps (also called grease interceptors) to prevent fats, oils, and grease from entering the municipal sewer system. In Los Angeles County, grease traps must be cleaned before they reach 25% capacity. Most restaurants need service every 30 to 90 days depending on cooking volume. Documentation of every service — including a grease manifest — is required and subject to inspection.
California FOG Regulations Explained
FOG stands for Fats, Oils, and Grease. California municipalities regulate FOG discharge to protect sewer infrastructure and treatment facilities. When grease enters the sewer system, it causes blockages, backups, and sanitary sewer overflows that are expensive to remediate.
Every California restaurant that produces FOG as part of food preparation is required to install and maintain a grease trap or grease interceptor. The specific rules vary by municipality, but LA County has some of the strictest enforcement in the state.
LA County Grease Trap Requirements
- 25% rule: Grease traps must be cleaned before FOG and solids accumulate to 25% of the trap capacity. This is the standard rule across most LA County jurisdictions.
- Minimum frequency: Even if a trap has not reached 25% capacity, most jurisdictions require cleaning at least every 90 days.
- Manifest documentation: Every grease trap cleaning must be documented with a waste hauler manifest that includes the date, volume removed, and hauler license number.
- Accessible records: Records must be kept on-site or easily retrievable for a minimum of 3 years.
Grease Trap Cleaning Intervals by Restaurant Type
| Restaurant Type | Typical Trap Size | Recommended Interval |
|---|---|---|
| High-volume / frying heavy | 1,000+ gallon interceptor | Every 30 days |
| Full-service restaurant | 500–1,000 gallon | Every 60 days |
| Moderate-volume / fast casual | 200–500 gallon | Every 60–90 days |
| Low-volume / beverage-focused | Under 200 gallon | Every 90 days |
What Happens When You Skip a Grease Trap Cleaning?
Skipping grease trap service creates escalating problems:
- Foul odor — an overdue grease trap produces a persistent smell that reaches the dining room
- Drain backup — FOG buildup causes slow drains and eventually full backups in your kitchen sinks
- Sewer overflow — FOG entering the municipal sewer can cause a sanitary sewer overflow, for which the restaurant is liable
- Fines — LA County can issue fines for FOG discharge violations. Repeat offenders face escalating penalties
- Health inspection failure — an overflowing or undocumented grease trap is a violation on your health inspection
How to Stay Compliant
The most reliable approach to grease trap compliance is to put service on a recurring calendar with automatic scheduling:
- Set a recurring schedule based on your kitchen volume (monthly for high-volume, quarterly for low-volume)
- Use a licensed waste hauler who provides proper manifest documentation
- Store all manifests in a central location — either a physical binder or a digital system
- Track service dates per location so you can prove compliance across your entire group
GroundOps manages grease trap scheduling for multi-location restaurant groups across LA County. Every service generates a documented work order with the manifest attached, accessible from the platform anytime your inspector or municipality asks for records.
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How much does grease trap cleaning cost in Los Angeles?
Grease trap cleaning in LA County typically costs $250 to $500 per service depending on trap size and accessibility. Larger interceptors (1,000+ gallons) may cost more. Multi-location groups on recurring schedules often receive volume discounts.
What is the difference between a grease trap and a grease interceptor?
A grease trap is a smaller unit typically installed under a sink or near a dishwasher. A grease interceptor is a larger underground unit that handles higher FOG volumes. Most full-service restaurants in LA County use interceptors. Both require regular cleaning and documentation.
Who inspects grease traps in Los Angeles?
Grease trap compliance is typically enforced by the local sewer authority (such as LA Sanitation or the local water district) and can also be checked during routine health department inspections.