Grease Trap Requirements
Portland, ME
FOG compliance regulations for food service establishments in Portland, Maine.
FOG Compliance in Portland, ME
Food service establishments in Portland operate under a combination of federal EPA pretreatment standards, Maine state plumbing code, and city-level FOG ordinances. Together these rules determine how grease traps must be sized, how often they must be pumped, and what happens when a restaurant falls out of compliance.
Pumping frequency is the compliance rule restaurant owners interact with most often. In Portland, the rule is: Per local ordinance Chapters 17.34 and 17.36. This aligns with the 90-day US median enforced by most major cities. The city follows the International Plumbing Code (IPC) for trap sizing and installation. Under Section 1003.3.4, which sizes traps by drainage fixture unit counts, grease interceptors installed in Portland must meet minimum capacity thresholds based on the fixtures connected to them — 3-compartment sinks, dishwashers, pre-rinse stations, wok stoves, and floor drains on the cook line.
Portland requires a dedicated FOG permit for any food service establishment generating fats, oils, and grease. The permit is separate from, and in addition to, the plumbing permit required at installation.
Portland enforces the 25 percent rule: grease traps must be pumped before the combined FOG and settled solids reach 25 percent of the trap's total liquid depth. Inspectors measure the depth with a sludge judge or dipstick, typically at surprise visits. Exceeding the threshold at inspection triggers a notice of violation and mandatory emergency pump-out, regardless of the scheduled pumping cycle. Establishments must maintain pumping logs, hauler manifests, and inspection reports on-site — missing records is itself a violation in most enforcement actions. Enforcement authority rests with the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, which handles permit issuance, inspections, and hauler licensing.
For a deeper explanation of the rules this city enforces, read our guides on how grease traps work and the 25/50 pumping rule.
Pumping Requirements
Permits & Enforcement
Complete FOG Regulations
| Pumping Frequency | Per local ordinance Chapters 17.34 and 17.36 |
|---|---|
| 25% Rule | Yes — trap must be pumped when grease and solids reach 25% of capacity |
| Permit Required | Yes |
| Record Keeping | Required — maintain pumping logs and manifests on-site |
| Plumbing Code | International Plumbing Code (IPC) |
| Ordinance Ref. | section 17.34.050; Chapter 17.34; Chapter 17.36 |
| Authority | City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services |
Additional Notes
Best Management Practices (BMP) program referenced. BMP program required. Chapters 17.34 and 17.36 of municipal code govern FOG requirements.
Last verified: — Regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local wastewater authority or plumbing inspector before making compliance decisions.
Contact Information
Department of Public Services: (207) 874-8846 or FOG@portlandmaine.gov
Official Sources
Size Your Grease Trap for Portland
Our free calculator uses IPC code requirements to recommend the right size.
Open CalculatorNeed help with grease trap service in Portland?
If you need cleaning, pumping, installation, sizing, or FOG compliance help in Portland, send the request details. We will review it and can help route it to a relevant provider where available.
Related high-demand FOG requirement guides
These guides are surfaced from Search Console demand and help compare local grease trap rules, pumping schedules, permits and sizing requirements across jurisdictions.
Browse local FOG rules, pumping schedules, permits and fines across covered US cities.
Los Angeles, CA requirementsHigh-demand page for California grease trap sizing and local FOG compliance searches.
North Carolina regulationsStatewide plumbing-code context and city-level FOG compliance links.
Charlotte, NC requirementsLocal pumping, permit and sizing guide for North Carolina restaurants.
Orange, CA requirementsCalifornia city guide with local FOG compliance and interceptor notes.