Permit guides › Los Angeles › LA-CR-07

Industrial Wastewater (FOG) Permit & grease control — LA Sanitation: Los Angeles restaurant guide

LA Sanitation & Environment

What it is

Food businesses that discharge fats, oils and grease to the City sewer must get an industrial wastewater permit and maintain approved grease control (usually a grease interceptor).

When a restaurant needs it

Any restaurant that generates fats, oils and grease — in practice every kitchen.

How to apply

Complete the LASAN IWMD Food Service Establishment permit application and submit it through the City Customer Service Request portal (dscsr.lacity.org — Agency: LASAN, Service Request Type: IWMD) or by mail, paying the $616 application fee; the grease interceptor is shown on your LADBS plans and LASAN issues the Industrial Waste clearance for plan check.

Documents you’ll need

Fee
$616 one-time application fee (covers facility plan review, initial field inspection and permit issuance), plus a recurring Annual Inspection and Control Fee and, if your wastewater exceeds domestic strength, a Quality Surcharge Fee
Processing time
Varies
Renewal
Ongoing; keep interceptor pump-out and maintenance records
Who files
The owner applies; the engineer/plumber designs and installs the interceptor.

Good to know

All new food service establishments must install a grease interceptor, and existing ones must add one when renovations are valued at $100,000 or more; garbage grinders are prohibited unless specifically allowed. FSEs that generate no fats, oils or grease and follow Best Management Practices are exempt from the permit. Questions: LASAN Industrial Waste (323) 342-6200; FSE plan clearances (323) 342-6118.

Official source

LA Sanitation — Industrial Waste (FOG) permit: apply, exemptions, fees

Get your personalized Los Angeles 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.