What your city's FOG ordinance actually requires
The FOG ordinance governs both ends of the job: how your grease trap gets sized and installed in the first place, and how often you pump it after. Every city words it a little differently, but the bones are the same across the region. Here is the version in plain English, without the legalese or the sales pitch.
What is a FOG ordinance?
FOG stands for fats, oils and grease. Most Sacramento-area cities run a FOG control program that requires food businesses to keep a working grease trap or interceptor, pump it on a schedule, and keep records (manifests) proving it.
How often do I legally have to pump?
The common rule is the 25 percent standard: pump once grease and solids reach a quarter of the trap's depth. Many ordinances also cap the interval, often at 90 days, whichever comes first.
What is a manifest and why does it matter?
A manifest is the document a licensed hauler gives you showing how much waste was pumped and where it was taken. It is the proof inspectors ask for. No manifest can mean a violation even if you did pump.
What happens if I skip it?
A neglected trap backs up into the kitchen, can send grease into the sewer, and exposes you to fines and even temporary closure. The cost of staying on schedule is far lower than a single backup during service.
How is a grease trap sized when you install one?
The same FOG program that sets pumping intervals also governs installation. An installer sizes the unit to your fixture count and drainage fixture units against the local code, then decides between a compact indoor hydromechanical trap and a below-ground outdoor gravity interceptor for higher-volume kitchens. Getting the size right up front is what keeps you off the district's radar later.
Do I need a permit to install or replace a grease trap?
Yes. Installing or replacing a grease trap or interceptor is a permitted job. It requires a plumbing permit, plan-check coordination with the city, and a sign-off from the sewer district before you open. If a FOG inspection has flagged your unit as undersized or failed, a pump-out will not fix it and the unit has to be replaced or upsized.
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Your specific requirements come from your city or sewer district's FOG program. When you are due, we can match you with a pumper who handles the manifest correctly. Get matched →