Miami Food Waste & Grease Disposal Requirements for Restaurants

Miami-Dade County Local Waste Disposal Rules

Miami-Dade County requires all food service establishments to implement FOG (fats, oils, grease) management plans under Chapter 24 of the Miami-Dade County Code. Restaurants must install and maintain grease interceptors or traps sized according to flow rate calculations set by the county. Waste cannot be discharged directly into municipal sewer systems, and all food waste must be containerized in leak-proof, pest-resistant receptacles. The Miami-Dade Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (DRER) conducts routine inspections to verify compliance, with penalties ranging from $250 to $1,000 per violation.

Florida State Food Waste & Grease Standards

Florida's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) oversees statewide wastewater discharge regulations under Florida Administrative Code (FAC) 62-610.430. State rules mandate that FOG separation be performed before any discharge to municipal systems, with interceptor cleaning required at least quarterly or when 25% full (whichever comes first). Florida also enforces pre-treatment requirements for high-volume food service operations, including restaurants with 3+ sinks or grease-producing equipment. State regulations allow for permitted alternative disposal methods, such as licensed waste haulers for off-site grease recovery and biofuel conversion.

How Federal Standards & Local Rules Align

Federal EPA standards (40 CFR Part 403) establish baseline requirements for indirect discharges, but Miami-Dade County imposes stricter local enforcement than most U.S. municipalities. While federal rules focus on preventing categorical pretreatment violations, Miami adds specific grease trap sizing, maintenance frequency, and inspection documentation requirements. Restaurants operating in Miami must comply with the most restrictive standard—typically Miami-Dade's local codes. For example, Miami requires quarterly grease trap servicing and documented waste manifests, exceeding federal baseline expectations and aligning with statewide DEP guidelines.

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