Grease Trap Requirements
Oklahoma City, OK
FOG compliance regulations for food service establishments in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Serving 2,090 food service establishments.
FOG Compliance in Oklahoma City, OK
Food service establishments in Oklahoma City operate under a combination of federal EPA pretreatment standards, Oklahoma 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. The city has approximately 2,090 food service establishments — every one of them subject to the rules summarized below.
Pumping frequency is the compliance rule restaurant owners interact with most often. In Oklahoma City, the rule is: At minimum every 90 days. This aligns with the 90-day US median enforced by most major cities.
Oklahoma City requires a dedicated FOG permit for any food service establishment generating fats, oils, and grease. The annual permit fee is No separate FOG permit fee; covered under sewer discharge provisions. The permit is separate from, and in addition to, the plumbing permit required at installation. Violations carry maximum penalties of $10,000 per day per violation; up to $25,000 per day for knowing violations under federal pretreatment standards , in line with typical US municipal penalties. Fines typically escalate with repeat violations, and severe discharges that cause sanitary sewer overflows can trigger federal Clean Water Act penalties layered on top of local fines.
Oklahoma City 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. Annually; OKC Utilities conducts routine and complaint-based inspections. 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 Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust, Pretreatment / FOG Compliance Division, 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
| Minimum Trap Size | 750 gallons minimum for gravity grease interceptors (some sources indicate 1,000 gallons for larger FSEs); hydromechanical interceptors per plumbing code sizing |
|---|---|
| Pumping Frequency | At minimum every 90 days; must be pumped when combined FOG and solids layer exceeds 25% of liquid depth |
| 25% Rule | Yes — trap must be pumped when grease and solids reach 25% of capacity |
| Permit Required | Yes |
| Permit Fee | No separate FOG permit fee; covered under sewer discharge provisions |
| Maximum Fine | $10,000 per day per violation; up to $25,000 per day for knowing violations under federal pretreatment standards |
| Inspections | Annually; OKC Utilities conducts routine and complaint-based inspections |
| Record Keeping | Required — maintain pumping logs and manifests on-site |
| Plumbing Code | IPC (Oklahoma uses IPC with state amendments) |
| Ordinance Ref. | Oklahoma City Municipal Code Chapter 50 - Utilities, Article VIII - Sewer Use Regulations; OKC Water Utilities Trust FOG Program |
| Authority | Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust, Pretreatment / FOG Compliance Division |
Additional Notes
Oklahoma City requires all FSEs to install and maintain grease interceptors. The OKC Water Utilities Trust administers the FOG program. Facilities must submit maintenance records and use licensed haulers. Automatic grease removal devices may be approved as supplements but generally cannot replace gravity grease interceptors. Records must be kept for at least 3 years.
Last verified: — Regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local wastewater authority or plumbing inspector before making compliance decisions.
Contact Information
Oklahoma City Utilities Department: (405) 297-2833
Official Sources
Size Your Grease Trap for Oklahoma City
Our free calculator uses IPC (Oklahoma uses IPC with state amendments) code requirements to recommend the right size.
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