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SFPUC FOG program — grease capturing equipment + Food Service Establishment Wastewater Discharge Permit: San Francisco restaurant guide

SF Public Utilities Commission — Wastewater Enterprise

What it is

The FOG Control Ordinance requires restaurants that cook to install grease traps or interceptors, hold the FSE General Wastewater Discharge Permit, keep maintenance logs and pass SFPUC wastewater inspections.

When a restaurant needs it

Any food service establishment that discharges fats, oils and grease to the sewer — SFPUC assigns a FOG Discharger Category (1–3; Category 4 is reheat/assembly only with no equipment required).

How to apply

Show the grease interceptor on your DBI plumbing plans (SFPUC reviews on the building permit routing); after opening an SFPUC wastewater inspector categorizes the facility and the general permit applies.

Documents you’ll need

Fee
No separate permit fee published; sewer service charges apply and facilities with certified equipment and maintenance records can get a 14.2% reduction on sewer service charges
Processing time
Reviewed with the building permit; inspection after opening
Renewal
The general permit was extended through September 30, 2026; keep logs for every pump-out/cleaning
Who files
The owner is the permittee; the plumber/engineer designs and installs the interceptor.

Good to know

Gravity grease interceptors must be at least 300 gallons; accumulated grease may not exceed 25% of the depth. Violations carry civil penalties up to $25,000 per day. Questions: (415) 701-2311 or 311.

Official source

SFPUC — Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) control · FSE General Wastewater Discharge Permit (extended 2021)

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