Grease Trap Requirements
Milwaukee, WI
FOG compliance regulations for food service establishments in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Serving 2,122 food service establishments.
FOG Compliance in Milwaukee, WI
Food service establishments in Milwaukee operate under a combination of federal EPA pretreatment standards, Wisconsin 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 2,122 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 Milwaukee, the rule is: Maintain the device so it remains accessible and effective. This aligns with the 90-day US median enforced by most major cities.
Subject to plumbing and food-establishment review; no universal annual FOG inspection interval confirmed. Enforcement authority rests with the City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services; applicable sewer authority, 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 | Size using Wisconsin Plumbing Code SPS 382.34(5); Milwaukee requires sizing calculations and the manufacturer/model specification in plumbing plan review |
|---|---|
| Pumping Frequency | Maintain the device so it remains accessible and effective; confirm the cleaning interval required for the specific establishment with Milwaukee DNS or the sewer authority |
| 25% Rule | Check with local authority |
| Permit Required | Contact authority |
| Inspections | Subject to plumbing and food-establishment review; no universal annual FOG inspection interval confirmed |
| Record Keeping | Check local requirements |
| Plumbing Code | Wisconsin Plumbing Code (SPS 381-387) |
| Ordinance Ref. | Wisconsin Plumbing Code SPS 382.34(5); City of Milwaukee plumbing plan-review requirements |
| Authority | City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services; applicable sewer authority |
Additional Notes
Milwaukee's current plumbing checklist requires grease-interceptor sizing calculations under SPS 382.34(5), including the selected manufacturer and model. The food-establishment guidance requires the grease trap's size and location on plans and accessible installation. Earlier unsourced values for a 750-gallon minimum, 90-day cleaning, a 25% threshold, annual inspections, record retention and a $5,000 fine were removed. Sources rechecked August 3, 2026.
Last verified: — Regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local wastewater authority or plumbing inspector before making compliance decisions.
Official Sources
- City of Milwaukee plumbing plan-review checklist
- City of Milwaukee food-establishment plan-review guidance
Size Your Grease Trap for Milwaukee
Our free calculator uses Wisconsin Plumbing Code (SPS 381-387) code requirements to recommend the right size.
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