Orlando Grease Trap Requirements for Restaurants

Orlando & Orange County Local Grease Trap Regulations

The City of Orlando and Orange County require all food service establishments to install properly sized grease traps or interceptors sized according to Florida Administrative Code 62-602.700. Local health inspectors verify that grease traps are in working order, properly baffled, and regularly maintained during routine inspections. Orlando's Building Department enforces installation permits and sizing calculations based on peak flow rates from dish machines, prep sinks, and floor drains. Violations can result in closure orders if grease traps are missing or non-functional. The City also requires grease trap maintenance logs documenting pumping dates and contractor information for audit purposes.

Florida State Plumbing & Environmental Standards

Florida Administrative Code 62-602 (Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems) and Chapter 62-610 (Water Quality Standards) establish minimum grease interceptor capacity and maintenance protocols across the state. Florida DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) mandates that grease traps must be pumped when solids reach 25% of tank capacity or per manufacturer recommendations—typically every 30-90 days depending on volume. State regulations require kitchen grease to be removed by licensed waste haulers and properly disposed of; dumping grease into the municipal sewer system carries both state and federal Clean Water Act violations. Florida also requires inspection and certification of grease traps during food service permit renewals, which vary by county but typically occur annually or biannually.

How Federal, State & Local Requirements Differ

Federal standards (EPA and FDA Food Code) set baseline guidelines for grease removal to protect municipal wastewater systems, but do not mandate specific trap sizes or pumping frequencies—these are set by states and localities. Florida's state code is stricter than federal minimums, requiring documented maintenance schedules and licensed contractor pumping, whereas federal guidance is advisory. Orlando adds a local layer by requiring building permits, regular health department inspections of trap condition, and submission of maintenance logs. Additionally, Orange County's utility provider (City of Orlando Utilities) may impose surcharges for grease-related sewer damage, a local enforcement mechanism absent in federal rules. The key difference: federal sets the floor, Florida sets state requirements, and Orlando adds enforcement teeth through inspections and permitting.

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