How often do grease traps have to be pumped in Washington, DC?

Pump at least every 90 days; before grease + solids reach 25% of depth/capacity. Source: the official program source, checked 2026-10-17. Rules change; confirm with the local sewer authority.

Do restaurants in Washington need a grease trap permit?

Fees listed: $13.70, per the official source checked 2026-10-17.

States / District of Columbia / Washington

Washington, DC grease trap & interceptor requirements

Quoted from official source Last checked 2026-10-17. Report an error / rule changed

Quick answer

How often to pump: At least every 90 days; before grease + solids reach 25% of depth/capacity
Interceptor minimum / sizing: not stated in the sources we checked
Permit / fees: Fees listed: $13.70

From the official source(s) below, last checked 2026-10-17. Rules change; verify with your city.

Rules change; verify with your city. Summaries are plain-English restatements of the official source linked below; “Source says” shows the exact wording. Blank rows mean the sources we checked did not state that rule, not that there is no rule.

Required trap / interceptor type	Source says: “Myth: If an FSE has grease-generating fixtures, an interceptor is required.”
Sizing rule	Source says: “If the size of the interceptor is less than 50 GPM, you can clean the device yourself.”
Pumping / cleaning frequency	Pump at least every 90 days; before grease + solids reach 25% of depth/capacity. Source says “Gravity Grease interceptors: Shall be cleaned and inspected every 90 days or less if the grease interceptor becomes more than 25% full of Grease and Solids.”
Permit required?	Not stated in the sources we checked
Permit & program fees	Fees listed in the source: $13.70. Source says “Beginning August 2019, DC Water will leverage a new monthly fee of $13.70 per month from food-serving establishments (FSEs) to address clogged sewer lines, sewer backups, and infrastructure damage caused by the improper discharge of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) into the sewer system.”
Inspections	Grease traps/interceptors are subject to inspection. Source says “The revenue generated by this fee will allow regular inspection of FSEs to reduce the risk of sewer clogs or breaks associated with FOG discharge.”
Record keeping	Keep pumping and maintenance records (manifests/logs) available for inspection. Source says “Additionally, DC Water maintains the Third Party Portal, an online record system and smartphone application for FSEs to document their grease abatement inspections and cleanings.”
Pumper / hauler approval	Use an approved / licensed grease hauler. Source says “DC Water encourages FSE to contract an approved waste hauler to clean the grease interceptor.”
Reporting portal	FOG BMP
Fines & penalties	Not stated in the sources we checked
Program contact	fog@dcwater.com

Sources

https://www.dcwater.com/work-us/customer-compliance-services/fats-ragswipes-oil-and-grease-frog/food-service-establishments-and-compliance · checked 2026-10-17
https://www.dcwater.com/sites/default/files/fog_fact_sheets.pdf · checked 2026-10-17

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