Houston Grease Trap Maintenance & Compliance Checklist

Houston Grease Trap Requirements & Local Code

The City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) enforces grease trap maintenance under the Houston Health Code and Texas Administrative Code. All food service facilities must install, maintain, and regularly pump grease traps or interceptors based on their flow rate and capacity. Houston's plumbing code (based on Texas Plumbing Code) requires grease traps for any establishment that produces more than 10 gallons per day of wastewater containing fats, oils, or grease (FOG). Inspectors verify that grease traps are properly sized, located in accessible areas, and pumped on a documented schedule—typically every 30 to 90 days depending on volume and local health department recommendations.

Inspection Checklist & Maintenance Items

During Houston health inspections, officials check for grease trap accessibility (must be accessible without removing flooring), visible structural damage, proper connections to all floor drains and hood vent pipes, and current pumping records. Inspectors measure grease and debris accumulation inside the trap; if grease layer exceeds one-quarter of trap depth, it fails. Verify that your trap has a visible cleanout access cover, proper inlet and outlet baffles, and no leaks into surrounding soil or foundation. Maintain a log of pump-out dates, contractor information, and waste disposal records—Houston may require documentation of disposal at a certified facility. Check that drains from cooking equipment, dishwashers, and prep areas all flow into the grease trap, not directly to the municipal sewer.

Common Violations & How to Avoid Them

The most frequent Houston grease trap violations include overflowing or backed-up grease traps (caused by infrequent pumping), blocked or missing outlet baffles (which allow FOG into the sewer), and lack of maintenance documentation (inspectors expect to see dated pump-out receipts). Restaurants often violate code by pouring grease down drains instead of allowing it to cool and solidifying in containers for disposal, which overloads the trap. Never bypass a grease trap by piping dishwasher or floor drain water directly to the sewer—this is a critical violation in Houston and invites enforcement action. Failure to maintain proper separation of fixtures, neglecting to keep the area around the trap clean, and using chemical additives without proper trap maintenance also trigger citations. Establish a routine inspection schedule at least monthly, verify your pumping contractor is licensed, and train kitchen staff on proper grease disposal practices.

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