How often do grease traps have to be pumped in Boston, MA?

Pump at least every 90 days; monthly for small traps; 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.

States / Massachusetts / Boston

Boston, MA 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; monthly for small traps; before grease + solids reach 25% of depth/capacity
Interceptor minimum / sizing: not stated in the sources we checked
Permit / fees: not stated in the sources we checked

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	Not stated in the sources we checked
Sizing rule	Source says: “Large in-ground grease traps normally hold 500 gallons or more and are usually cleaned by a contractor. equipped to deal with the large quantities of grease, oil, and non-floatables.”
Pumping / cleaning frequency	Pump at least every 90 days; monthly for small traps; before grease + solids reach 25% of depth/capacity. Source says “Grease traps should be cleaned when 25% of the liquid level of the trap is grease or oil, once a month minimum for point-of-use traps, and quarterly for large in-ground grease interceptors.”
Permit required?	Not stated in the sources we checked
Permit & program fees	Not stated in the sources we checked
Inspections	Not stated in the sources we checked
Record keeping	Keep pumping and maintenance records (manifests/logs) available for inspection. Source says “The establishment owner is required to keep maintenance records regarding the periodic cleaning of the establishment's grease traps on the Grease Control Log (link below).”
Pumper / hauler approval	Not stated in the sources we checked
Reporting portal	Not stated in the sources we checked
Fines & penalties	Not stated in the sources we checked
Program contact	617-989-7299

Sources

https://www.bwsc.org/business-customers/programs-guidelines-assistance/commercial-kitchen-grease-trap-guidelines · checked 2026-10-17

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