Las Vegas Grease Trap Requirements for Restaurants

Clark County Health District Grease Trap Regulations

The Clark County Health District enforces Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS 439.200) and the Nevada Sanitation Law, which mandate grease trap installation and maintenance in all food service establishments. Restaurants must install interceptors sized according to the establishment's cooking volume and wastewater flow rates. The Health District requires grease traps to be professionally cleaned and pumped on a schedule determined by usage—typically every 30–90 days, though high-volume operations may need more frequent service. Facilities must maintain records of all pumping, cleaning, and disposal activities, with documentation available for health inspections. Non-compliance results in violations that can lead to operational restrictions or permit revocation.

Maintenance, Pumping, and Service Requirements

Las Vegas establishments must contract with licensed waste management providers approved by Clark County to pump and dispose of grease waste. Grease interceptors must be cleaned internally and externally during each service visit, with accumulated solids and FOG properly removed and disposed of at authorized facilities. Nevada regulations prohibit dumping grease into municipal sewer systems, and violators face fines and potential facility closure. Restaurants should monitor trap performance between service visits, checking for backup conditions or odors that indicate the need for emergency pumping. Documentation of service dates, contractor information, and disposal certifications must be maintained on-site for minimum 12-month periods during health inspections.

How Las Vegas Standards Differ from Federal and State Requirements

Clark County Health District standards are more prescriptive than federal FDA Food Code recommendations, requiring specific maintenance intervals and licensed contractor oversight that go beyond general federal guidance. Nevada state law (NRS 439.200) establishes baseline sanitation requirements, but Clark County enforces additional local amendments through the Southern Nevada Health District Regulations that specify interceptor sizing, material standards, and inspection frequencies. Federal regulations (EPA Clean Water Act, 40 CFR Part 403) set general pretreatment standards for industrial discharges, but do not mandate the routine maintenance schedules that Clark County requires. Local Las Vegas codes are stricter because the region's limited water resources and aging wastewater infrastructure necessitate aggressive FOG prevention. Restaurants operating in multiple Nevada jurisdictions must verify individual county health department requirements, as regulations vary between Washoe County, Carson City, and other districts.

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