Tampa Grease Trap Compliance Checklist for Restaurants

Tampa-Specific Grease Trap Requirements

Tampa food service establishments must comply with the Florida Administrative Code (FAC 62-4.297) and City of Tampa Ordinance Chapter 27, which mandate grease interceptors for any facility with food preparation areas. Your grease trap capacity must be sized based on peak flow rates and the volume of grease-laden water your kitchen generates—typically 100% of the daily flow for high-volume operations. The trap must be installed in an accessible location outside the building or in an accessible indoor location, with at least 12 inches of clearance above for cleaning access. All installations require permits from the City of Tampa Department of Business Compliance before equipment is operational.

Monthly & Quarterly Inspection Checklist

Inspect your grease trap at minimum monthly for visible grease accumulation, water level, and signs of blockages or leaks around pipes and seals. Check that baffles are intact and properly positioned—damaged baffles allow grease to bypass the trap and enter municipal lines. Verify the trap inlet and outlet pipes are clear of debris and that no raw sewage or foul odors are present, which indicate system failure. Document all inspections in writing and retain records for at least two years, as Hillsborough County Health Department inspectors will request this during compliance audits. Quarterly pump-outs should occur when grease depth reaches 25% of the total tank depth, though high-volume kitchens may require monthly service.

Common Violations & Avoidance Strategies

The most frequent Tampa violations include failure to pump grease traps on schedule, improper sizing for kitchen volume, and unauthorized disposal of grease down drains. Never allow cooking oil, meat drippings, or high-fat dairy products to bypass the trap—this creates blockages in municipal sewers and triggers costly fines up to $500+ per violation. Ensure staff training includes proper disposal protocols: cool grease should be placed in designated containers, not poured down drains. Maintain receipts from a licensed hauler (typically required to be Hillsborough County–approved) proving your trap has been professionally cleaned and inspected. Missing documentation is itself a violation; the City of Tampa may cite facilities that cannot produce maintenance records during unannounced health inspections.

Monitor compliance alerts with Panko—stay ahead of violations.

Real-time food safety alerts from 25+ government sources. AI-scored by urgency. Less than one bad meal a month — $4.99/mo.