Do restaurants in Memphis need a grease trap permit?

Permit required, per the official source checked 2026-10-17.

Memphis, TN grease trap & interceptor requirements

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

Quick answer

How often to pump: not stated in the sources we checked
Interceptor minimum / sizing: not stated in the sources we checked
Permit / fees: Permit required

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: “All grease traps used in conjunction with food service establishments shall have the capacity of 15 gallons per seat of dining capacity, except that no single grease trap shall be smaller than 750 gallons or larger than 3,000 gallons.”
Pumping / cleaning frequency	Not stated in the sources we checked
Permit required?	A permit is required (see source wording). Source says “(e) Type of FOG treatment; and (f) Any other information as may be deemed by the Approving Authority to be necessary to evaluate the permit application.”
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 FEWD shall maintain records of grease Pretreatment device cleaning, maintenance, and grease removal on site.”
Pumper / hauler approval	Use an approved / licensed grease hauler. Source says “Such grease may, however, be hauled by a licensed waste hauler to the city's WWTP subject to the provisions of this chapter.”
Reporting portal	CROMERR
Fines & penalties	Not stated in the sources we checked
Program contact	pretreatment@memphistn.gov · 901-636-4300

Sources

https://memphistn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ord.-5793_SUO.pdf · checked 2026-10-17
https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT13PUSE_CH13-24PR_ART1GEDE · checked 2026-10-17

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