California Grease Trap Requirements & FOG Regulations

UPC

Plumbing Code

88,778

Establishments

Cities Covered

Regulatory AuthorityState Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)

Base CodeUniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

FOG Compliance Overview

California follows the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as its base plumbing code. The UPC requires grease interceptors for commercial kitchens and uses fixture unit calculations for sizing requirements. The state's regulatory authority is the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).

With approximately 88,778 food service establishments statewide,California has significant FOG compliance needs. Individual cities and municipalities may adopt additional local ordinances that go beyond the state plumbing code, including stricter pumping schedules, permit requirements, and enforcement penalties. Of the 48 cities we cover, 45 require a dedicated FOG permit. 45 cities enforce the 25% rule for grease trap pumping.

Need a grease trap in California?

Our free calculator uses UPC code requirements to recommend the right size for your establishment.

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Need grease trap cleaning or installation in California?

Send your city, ZIP code, service need, and timeline. We will review the request and can help connect you with a relevant grease trap or FOG compliance provider where available.

City Regulations in California

High-demand city guides in California

These city pages are highlighted because Search Console is already showing them for local grease trap requirement searches.

Los Angeles, CA

Local pumping frequency, permit rules, sizing guidance and enforcement notes.

Orange, CA

Local pumping frequency, permit rules, sizing guidance and enforcement notes.

San Francisco, CA

Local pumping frequency, permit rules, sizing guidance and enforcement notes.

City	Pumping Frequency	Permit	25% Rule
Anaheim	Small traps every 4-8 weeks; large interceptors every 1...	Required	Yes
Bakersfield	Per 25% rule; minimum every 6 months per California sta...	Required	Yes
Benicia	See details	—	—
Brentwood	annual; or when grease/solids reach 25% of capacity	—	Yes
Chula Vista	Before FOG and solids reach 25% of trap capacity; typic...	Required	Yes
Corona	Minimum every 6 months; per 25% rule if sooner	Required	Yes
Covina	As needed to prevent FOG accumulation from exceeding ca...	Required	—
Cypress	Per UPC requirements; typically every 90 days or when 2...	Required	Yes
Elk Grove	Per 25% rule; pump when FOG/solids reach 25% of trap ca...	Required	Yes
Fontana	Before FOG/solids reach 25% capacity; typically every 9...	Required	Yes
Fremont	Before FOG/solids exceed 25% capacity; frequency per es...	Required	Yes
Fresno	Grease traps every 90 days or when 25% rule triggered; ...	Required	Yes
Garden Grove	Per 25% rule; grease traps daily to weekly, grease inte...	Required	Yes
Glendale	At minimum every 6 months; more frequently if FOG/solid...	Required	Yes
Hayward	Per 25% rule and wastewater discharge permit conditions	Required	Yes
Huntington Beach	Monthly for hydromechanical units; every 90 days for gr...	Required	Yes
Irvine	Per 25% rule; minimum every 6 months	Required	Yes
Lancaster	Every 6 month(s); or when grease/solids reach 25% of ca...	Required	Yes
Long Beach	Every 90 days or when 25% capacity reached, whichever i...	Required	Yes
Los Angeles	Clean often enough that combined FOG and solids do not ...	Required	Yes
Modesto	quarterly; or when grease/solids reach 25% of capacity	Required	Yes
Moreno Valley	Before FOG/solids reach 25% capacity; inside traps typi...	Required	Yes
Oakland	Every 1-3 months depending on kitchen volume; before FO...	Required	Yes
Oceanside	Every 90 days (quarterly) minimum, or more frequently a...	Required	Yes
Ontario	Per wastewater permit schedule; pump when floatable gre...	Required	Yes
Orange	Periodically; grease removed from interceptors must be ...	Required	Yes
Oxnard	As required to maintain compliance; minimum every 6 mon...	Required	Yes
Palmdale	Minimum every 6 months; per 25% rule if sooner	Required	Yes
Pismo Beach	See details	—	—
Poway	See details	Required	Yes
Rancho Cucamonga	Per Cucamonga Valley Water District requirements	Required	Yes
Riverbank	Per FOG program requirements; typically every 90 days	Required	Yes
Riverside	Per 25% rule; typically quarterly or as needed	Required	Yes
Roseville	Every 90 days minimum, or per 25% rule, whichever is mo...	Required	Yes
Sacramento	Every 90 days or when 25% full, whichever comes first	Required	Yes
Salinas	Quarterly minimum (checked and maintained quarterly); m...	Required	Yes
San Bernardino	Every 90 days or when 25% full	Required	Yes
San Diego	Every 90 days minimum or when FOG accumulation reaches ...	Required	Yes
San Francisco	At minimum every 90 days; more frequent pumping require...	Required	Yes
San Jose	Grease traps serviced at least monthly; grease intercep...	Required	Yes
Santa Ana	Per FOG Control Program guidelines; typically every 90 ...	Required	Yes
Santa Clarita	Before FOG/solids reach 25% of trap depth; inspected mo...	Required	Yes
Santa Rosa	When FOG/solids reach 25% of trap capacity; typically e...	Required	Yes
Stockton	Every 3 months or when combined FOG and solids reach 25...	Required	Yes
Sunnyvale	Per maintenance schedule set by director; variance requ...	Required	Yes
Ventura	monthly	Required	Yes
Visalia	Per FOG program requirements; typically every 90 days	Required	Yes
West Hollywood	When FOG and solids reach 25% of device depth (LA Count...	Required	Yes

Frequently Asked Questions

What plumbing code does California follow for grease traps?

California follows the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). The UPC requires grease interceptors for commercial kitchens and uses fixture unit calculations for sizing. Individual cities may adopt stricter local ordinances.

How many food service establishments are in California?

California has approximately 88,778 food service establishments according to Census Bureau County Business Patterns data. We currently cover detailed FOG regulations for 48 cities in the state.

Do I need a grease trap permit in California?

Permit requirements vary by city. Of the 48 cities we cover in California, 45 require a dedicated FOG permit. Check your specific city's requirements below or contact your local wastewater authority.

What size grease trap do I need in California?

Grease trap sizing in California depends on your establishment's flow rate, number of fixtures, and local code requirements under the UPC. Use our free sizing calculator for a recommendation tailored to your setup.

Last verified: April 2026 — Regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local wastewater authority or plumbing inspector before making compliance decisions.