Permit guides › Chicago › CHI-CR-08

Grease Interceptor (Chicago Plumbing Code): Chicago restaurant guide

Chicago Department of Buildings / Department of Water Management

What it is

Chicago's plumbing code requires a grease interceptor or automatic grease removal device on drains from grease-laden fixtures in commercial kitchens.

When a restaurant needs it

Any kitchen with pot sinks, prerinse sinks, soup kettles, wok stations, floor drains, hood wash units, or dishwashers without a prerinse sink.

How to apply

Your engineer shows it on the plumbing drawings in the building permit, and a licensed plumbing contractor installs it.

Documents you’ll need

Fee
Covered by building permit fees
Processing time
Installed during construction
Renewal
Keep it maintained and pumped regularly
Who files
Designed by the engineer of record and installed by a Chicago-licensed plumbing contractor.

Good to know

If there's no room below the floor, the code allows interceptors installed on or above the floor. DWM can also require grease controls where fats, oils and grease in wastewater exceed 15 mg/L.

Official source

Chicago Code 18-29-1003.3.1 — grease interceptors

Get your personalized Chicago permit plan

Answer a few questions about your space and get every permit in order, with a timeline, a cost range, walkthroughs, and every application filled in for you to sign with Open.

Build my free plan

Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.