Grease Trap Requirements
New Orleans, LA
FOG compliance regulations for food service establishments in New Orleans, Louisiana. Serving 1,504 food service establishments.
Pumping Requirements
Permits & Enforcement
Complete FOG Regulations
| Minimum Trap Size | Grease interceptors sized per Louisiana State Plumbing Code (based on IPC) and Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB) specifications. Minimum 750-1,500 gallons for exterior gravity interceptors depending on establishment size and FOG discharge volume. |
|---|---|
| Pumping Frequency | Minimum every 90 days (quarterly). FSEs with high-volume cooking operations may be required to pump monthly. Must be cleaned before FOG/solids exceed 25% of interceptor capacity. |
| 25% Rule | Yes — trap must be pumped when grease and solids reach 25% of capacity |
| Permit Required | Yes |
| Permit Fee | Pretreatment/FOG discharge permit required through the S&WB. Fees set by the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, Environmental Affairs Department. Contact (504) 942-3856 for current schedule. |
| Maximum Fine | Up to $10,000 per day per violation. Each day of non-compliance constitutes a separate violation. Additional administrative enforcement actions and cost recovery for remediation. |
| Inspections | Inspections conducted by S&WB Environmental Affairs Department on a routine basis. Typically annual for compliant FSEs; increased frequency for non-compliant establishments or those under enforcement orders. |
| Record Keeping | Required — maintain pumping logs and manifests on-site |
| Plumbing Code | IPC (Louisiana State Plumbing Code is based on the International Plumbing Code) |
| Ordinance Ref. | New Orleans Code of Ordinances, Chapter 142 (Sewerage, Water and Drainage); Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans Rules and Regulations for Wastewater Discharge; Louisiana State Plumbing Code (LAC Title 51) |
| Authority | Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (S&WB), Environmental Affairs Department; Louisiana Department of Health (state plumbing code oversight) |
Additional Notes
New Orleans operates its own Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB), which is a semi-autonomous agency responsible for wastewater collection and treatment. The S&WB's Pretreatment/FOG program requires all FSEs to obtain discharge permits and maintain grease interceptors. Given New Orleans' aging sewer infrastructure and low-lying geography, FOG-related SSOs are a significant concern. The high density of restaurants (especially in the French Quarter and other tourist areas) makes FOG enforcement a major priority. Grease haulers must be registered with the S&WB. All maintenance records and hauler manifests must be retained for at least 3 years.
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local wastewater authority or plumbing inspector before making compliance decisions. Last updated: March 2026.
Contact Information
Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans Environmental Affairs Department: pbrown@swbno.org or (504) 942-3856
Official Sources
Size Your Grease Trap for New Orleans
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