Miami Grease Trap Requirements & Maintenance Guide

Miami-Dade County FOG & Grease Trap Requirements

Miami-Dade County requires all food service establishments to install and maintain grease interceptors or grease traps per Florida Administrative Code (FAC) 62-4.241. The size and type of interceptor depend on your facility's water usage, peak flow rate, and menu complexity. Restaurants must have passive grease traps (gravity-based) or active grease recovery systems. Miami-Dade Health Department mandates routine inspections, and violations for improper grease disposal can result in fines between $500–$5,000 per violation. Grease traps must be accessible for inspection and cleaning, with documentation of maintenance records available upon request.

Maintenance Standards & Cleaning Frequency

Florida health codes require grease trap cleaning frequency based on trap capacity and usage—typically every 1–3 months for busy food service operations. The Miami-Dade County Health Department enforces a maximum 25% accumulation of grease or solids before mandatory cleaning. You must hire a licensed waste hauler certified by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to pump and dispose of grease trap waste. Documentation of each cleaning—including date, volume removed, and hauler certification—must be maintained on-site for at least 12 months. Failure to clean regularly can lead to blocked sewer lines, backups, and environmental violations reported to the EPA.

Health Inspection & Compliance Best Practices

Miami-Dade health inspectors evaluate grease trap condition, accessibility, and maintenance records during routine and complaint-based inspections. Install drain screens or food strainers in sinks to minimize solid waste entering the trap. Train staff on proper disposal—never pour grease down drains, and implement a daily cleaning log for your trap area. Keep contractor receipts and certifications organized in a dedicated food safety binder; inspectors expect immediate access to this documentation. Monitor your trap quarterly for structural integrity and consider upgrading to automated grease recovery systems if you operate a high-volume kitchen, as these reduce cleaning frequency and improve regulatory compliance.

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