Grease Trap Requirements
Pittsburgh, PA
FOG compliance regulations for food service establishments in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Serving 3,243 food service establishments.
FOG Compliance in Pittsburgh, PA
Food service establishments in Pittsburgh operate under a combination of federal EPA pretreatment standards, Pennsylvania 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 3,243 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 Pittsburgh, the rule is: Maximum every 90 days. 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 Pittsburgh 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.
Pittsburgh 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.
Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh Water (formerly PWSA); City of Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections; ALCOSAN, 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 | Maximum every 90 days; per PA IPC Chapter 10 requirements |
|---|---|
| 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. | City of Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances; Pennsylvania Plumbing Code (IPC adoption); Allegheny County Plumbing Code Chapter 10 |
| Authority | Pittsburgh Water (formerly PWSA); City of Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections; ALCOSAN |
Additional Notes
Pittsburgh sends wastewater to ALCOSAN for treatment. Pennsylvania adopted the IPC, which requires grease interceptors or automatic grease removal devices for food preparation areas. Allegheny County has adopted the 2022 Plumbing Code based on IPC. Grease interceptors must be sized per PDI G101 or ASME A112.14.3. Some local PA jurisdictions require minimum 1,000-gallon interceptors. Pittsburgh Water manages sewer system operations.
Last verified: — Regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local wastewater authority or plumbing inspector before making compliance decisions.
Contact Information
Allegheny County Health Department: (412) 687-2243 (ACHD)
Official Sources
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