New Orleans Grease Trap Violations: Inspection Standards & Compliance

What Inspectors Look For: Grease Trap Standards

The New Orleans Health Department enforces strict grease trap and interceptor maintenance standards aligned with Louisiana State Sanitary Code. Inspectors verify that grease traps are properly sized for the establishment's food production volume, typically requiring one pound of grease trap capacity per meal served daily. They check that traps are accessible, clearly labeled, and that drain lines from cooking equipment (fryers, griddles, dishwashers) flow directly into the interceptor rather than municipal sewers. Inspectors also confirm that baffles are intact, preventing grease from escaping into the drainage system and causing sewer blockages that affect the city's infrastructure.

Common Violation Patterns & Penalties

The most frequent violations include infrequent or inadequate pumping (traps must be emptied when 25% full), absence of maintenance records, and non-functional or missing interceptors in high-volume establishments. New Orleans imposes tiered penalties starting at $100–$500 for first violations, escalating to $1,000+ for repeated offenses or failures to correct within mandated timeframes. Severe cases—such as grease discharge into public sewers causing environmental damage—can trigger legal action and facility closure orders. The New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board also charges surcharges for emergency sewer line cleaning caused by grease buildup, adding substantial costs beyond Health Department fines.

Compliance Best Practices & Record-Keeping

Establish a pumping schedule with a licensed grease trap contractor and maintain signed documentation of every service, including dates and waste volumes removed. Train kitchen staff to minimize grease entering the drain system by properly disposing of cooking oils, scraping plates, and avoiding pouring liquid fat down sinks. Conduct monthly visual inspections of trap condition, baffles, and drain lines, documenting findings in an operational log. Schedule annual professional inspections separate from routine health inspections to identify issues early. Implementing these practices not only prevents violations but also extends trap lifespan and reduces emergency repair costs.

Stay compliant with Panko Alerts—monitor local regulations real-time.

Real-time food safety alerts from 25+ government sources. AI-scored by urgency. Less than one bad meal a month — $4.99/mo.