Miami Grease Trap Requirements for Restaurants

Miami-Dade County and City of Miami Grease Trap Regulations

Miami-Dade County requires all food service establishments to install and maintain grease traps (also called grease interceptors) sized according to the establishment's flow rate and fixture count. The Miami-Dade County Plumbing Code, based on the Florida Building Code, mandates that grease traps be installed on all drain lines from sinks, dishwashers, and cooking equipment. Facilities must obtain a Certificate of Use from the Miami-Dade Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (DRER) before operating, which includes verification of proper grease trap installation. Routine inspections by county health inspectors verify that grease traps are functional, properly accessible, and regularly pumped. Violations can result in fines ranging from $100 to $1,000 per violation, with repeat offenders facing suspension or revocation of operating permits.

Florida State Plumbing and Environmental Standards

Florida Statute 553.902 and the Florida Administrative Code (FAC) Chapter 62-601 establish statewide requirements for grease removal devices and wastewater discharge. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) requires that grease traps maintain at least 25% of their total volume as retention space and that establishments pump out interceptors when the grease layer reaches 25% of the trap depth—not when it reaches the outlet. Florida's performance-based standards require grease traps to remove at least 90% of grease and oil from wastewater before it enters the municipal sewer system. These state-level rules apply across Miami and override less stringent local codes. Pumping records and maintenance logs must be retained for inspection by FDEP and county health officials.

How Miami Requirements Differ from Federal Standards

The FDA Food Code (which informs but does not mandate federal law) recommends grease trap sizing and maintenance but allows states and localities to adopt stricter standards—which Florida and Miami have done. Unlike federal guidance, Miami requires specific trap sizing calculations based on the Florida Building Code, and mandates routine inspections by county health inspectors, not just third-party certification. Federal standards focus on food handler hygiene and cross-contamination, while Miami's regulations target infrastructure and environmental impact prevention. Miami also enforces local discharge limits into municipal sewer systems that are stricter than EPA Clean Water Act minimums. Restaurants operating in Miami must meet all three levels of regulation (FDA recommendations, Florida state law, and Miami-Dade County code), with Miami's local requirements typically being the most stringent.

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