How often do grease traps have to be pumped in Seattle, WA?

Pump 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 Seattle need a grease trap permit?

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

States / Washington / Seattle

Seattle, WA grease trap & interceptor requirements

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

Quick answer

How often to pump: Before grease + solids reach 25% of depth/capacity
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	Source says: “Which Seattle Municipal Codes make grease interceptors required?.”
Sizing rule	Source says: “Total gallon capacity of fixtures discharging to a hydromechanical grease interceptor shall not exceed 2-1/2 times the rated gpm flow rate of the interceptor.”
Pumping / cleaning frequency	Pump before grease + solids reach 25% of depth/capacity. Source says “Businesses must clean their grease interceptors when they are more than 25 percent full of grease and food waste ( SMC 21.16.310 B ).”
Permit required?	A permit is required (see source wording). Source says “Any business with commercial kitchen plumbing fixtures and a King County Food Business Permit is required to install a grease interceptor.”
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 “Use a Maintenance Log to track how you maintain your grease interceptor.”
Pumper / hauler approval	Not stated in the sources we checked
Reporting portal	FOG BMP
Fines & penalties	Not stated in the sources we checked
Program contact	greasefreepipes@Seattle.gov · greasefreepipes@seattle.gov · (206) 684-3000

Sources

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Use the grease interceptor sizing calculator (UPC, IPC and PDI methods), then confirm Seattle's own minimums above. Not sure how often to pump? Read how often to pump a grease trap.

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