Dallas Grease Trap & Interceptor Requirements for Restaurants

Dallas Grease Trap Code Requirements

The City of Dallas requires all food service establishments to install grease traps or interceptors sized per Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Title 30 standards. Dallas Code § 51 mandates that grease traps be installed where food waste water is generated, with minimum flow rates calculated based on daily meal preparation volume. Commercial kitchen discharge must pass through a properly sized interceptor before entering the municipal sewer system. The Dallas Water Utilities Department enforces these regulations through routine inspections, and violations can result in permit suspension or fines up to several thousand dollars per infraction.

Maintenance Schedule & Compliance Standards

Dallas restaurants must clean grease traps at minimum once every 30 days or when FOG accumulation reaches 25% of trap capacity—whichever comes first. The City of Dallas Health Department recommends monthly records documenting cleaning dates, waste disposal methods, and trap conditions. Grease must be disposed of by a licensed waste contractor and never poured down drains. Professional pumping services should provide receipts and compliance documentation that must be retained for inspection. Failure to maintain records or exceed accumulation limits can trigger reinspection orders and environmental compliance citations from the TCEQ.

Enforcement & Inspection Best Practices

The City of Dallas Health Department conducts routine and complaint-driven inspections of food service facilities. Inspectors verify trap installation, cleanliness, proper signage, and maintenance documentation. Violations typically result in warnings for first offenses, but repeated non-compliance can lead to operating permit revocation. Staff training on proper disposal practices—instructing kitchen employees to scrape plates and avoid pouring grease—is essential for long-term compliance. Keeping detailed maintenance logs and scheduling preventive cleanings before capacity limits are reached demonstrates good-faith compliance.

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