# Grease Trap Maintenance Plans Tampa | Rule-Based Schedules > Grease trap maintenance plans for Tampa Bay kitchens: pumping set by your city or county rule and measured fill rate, logbook-ready manifests, no missed dates. URL: https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/grease-trap-maintenance-plans/ # Grease Trap Maintenance Plans for Tampa Bay Kitchens Scheduled pumping set by your jurisdiction's rule and how fast your unit actually fills, with every manifest ready for the logbook. [Call Now (727) 476-9241](tel:+17274769241) [Request a Quote](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/contact/) - Quotes by phone - Published price ranges - Signed manifest every visit - Hillsborough, Pinellas & Pasco ![Early-morning scheduled grease interceptor pump-out at a quiet Tampa Bay strip plaza before opening](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/images/scheduled-grease-interceptor-maintenance-early-morning-tampa-plaza-1280.webp) - Full pump-out, no pump-and-return (F.S. 403.0741) - 25% grease + solids rule - Manifest kept on site 1–3 years by local rule - Haulers licensed under F.A.C. 62-705 Last updated: November 14, 2026 [Grease Trap Cleaning Tampa](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/) runs grease trap maintenance plans for restaurants, hotels and multi-site operators across Tampa, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco. Grease trap maintenance on a plan means the pumping date is booked before the trap reaches its limit, not after a backup or an inspector's notice. A good schedule answers two questions: what does your jurisdiction require, and how fast does your unit actually fill? The rule sets the longest you can wait. The measured fill rate decides whether you need to come in sooner. ## What happens on the first visit Every plan starts with a baseline visit: 1. **Confirm the jurisdiction.** Your address decides which program applies. A "Tampa" mailing address can still be unincorporated Hillsborough. 2. **Pump and measure.** A full pump-out, with the grease and solids depth recorded before pumping. 3. **Set the interval.** The rule's maximum, shortened if the measured fill rate says the unit will pass 25% (20% in Pasco) first. 4. **Book the dates.** The next visits go on the calendar, and each one is logged with a signed manifest. ## Grease trap maintenance schedules by jurisdiction The maximum interval depends entirely on where the kitchen drains: Where the kitchen drains Interval The rule City of Tampa No fixed days Pump before solids pass the outlet invert (~8 in), grease and solids exceed 25% of capacity, the unit stops retaining grease, a backup occurs, or sanitary waste enters. [Tampa Code Ch. 26 Art. VII, Sec. 26-306](https://library.municode.com/fl/tampa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH26UT_ARTVIIGRMA) Hillsborough County (unincorporated) At least every 90 days Serviced at least every 90 days; contents never over 25% of wetted volume; alternate schedules by individual approval. [Hillsborough County Grease Management FAQ (Ch. 120 / Ord. 06-31 Art. VII)](https://assets.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blteea73b27b731f985/bltb6ccdb6e356f50af/Grease%20Management%20FAQs.pdf) City of Temple Terrace No fixed days Pump when solids pass the outlet invert (~8 in), grease and solids exceed 25%, or the unit stops retaining grease. [Temple Terrace Code Sec. 22-304](https://library.municode.com/fl/temple_terrace/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH22UT_ARTVSESEDI_DIV3GRMA_S22-304GRTRIN) Pinellas County Utilities At least every 30 days Pumped at least every 30 days; grease layer under 6 in and solids under 8 in; variance never over 180 days, voided if missed, not transferable. [Pinellas County Code Sec. 126-613](http://pinellascounty.elaws.us/code/coor_ch126_artvi_sec126-613) City of St. Petersburg At least every 30 days Pumped at least monthly; variance fee $275, maximum 180 days. [City of St. Petersburg FOG Best Management Practices Manual](https://cms5.revize.com/revize/stpete/Residents/utility_services/Grease%20Management/best_management_practices_manual_for_fats__oil_and_grease.pdf) City of Clearwater Set by the city In-ground interceptors monitored at least every 90 operational days; the Public Works Administrator sets each facility's pumping schedule; alternate frequencies on request; pump until empty and clean walls, baffles and pipes. [Clearwater Code Sec. 32.189](https://library.municode.com/fl/clearwater/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=SPAGEOR_CH32UT_ARTVWACO_DIV1GE_S32.189GRPRPR) City of Largo At least every 30 days Contents removed once per 30 operational days unless the control authority approves an alternate frequency. [Largo Code Sec. 23-120](https://library.municode.com/fl/largo/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH23UT_ARTIISE_DIV4INPRPR_S23-120WADIPE) Pasco County Utilities At least every 90 days Cleaned and pumped every 90 days, or sooner once FOG and food sludge reach 20% of volume; pump until empty and clean walls, cross pipes, inlet and outlet. [Pasco County Code Sec. 110-174](http://pascocounty.elaws.us/code/coor_ch110_artiv_div3_sec110-174) State of Florida No fixed days No pumping frequency set. Haulers may not return grease waste or graywater to the trap and must dispose at a permitted facility. [F.S. 403.0741; F.A.C. 62-705](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/403.0741) Most programs also allow a longer schedule if you can prove the unit stays under its limit. Pinellas County and St. Petersburg grant variances of up to 180 days (St. Petersburg charges $275). Hillsborough County reviews alternate schedules case by case and requires the unit to stay under 25% throughout. Clearwater lets facilities request an alternate frequency from the Public Works Administrator. A plan with measured depths on every visit is the evidence a variance application needs. ## What a maintenance plan keeps straight - **Dates:** no visit slides past the rule's maximum. - **Depths:** grease and solids measured on every visit, so the schedule tightens or loosens on evidence. - **Paperwork:** a signed manifest each time. Florida requires you to keep manifests a year; Pinellas County, Pasco County and Temple Terrace require three. - **Reports:** St. Petersburg wants a quarterly report and Largo wants hauler records sent in quarterly. Clearwater wants each pumping reported within five business days. The plan builds those deadlines in. ## Multi-site operators A group with kitchens in Tampa, Brandon and St. Petersburg is working under three different rules at once. One plan can keep each site on its own schedule, with records kept to the longest retention period that applies. For hotels and resorts, see [hotel kitchen grease trap cleaning](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/hotel-kitchen-grease-trap-cleaning/). ## What's included - Jurisdiction confirmed from your address - Baseline pump-out with depths recorded - Interval set by rule and measured fill rate - Visits booked ahead of the rule's maximum - Signed manifest every visit - Report deadlines tracked (St. Pete, Largo, Clearwater) - Evidence file for a variance application - Schedule reviewed when the menu or volume changes ## Pricing and payment Plans are billed per visit at the rate for your unit. The annual cost is that rate times the visits your rule and fill rate require. Typical annual spend for a Tampa Bay restaurant is $2,500–$6,000 (low confidence, one commercial source). Run the [cost estimator](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/tools/grease-trap-cost-estimator/) for your own figure. Ask for a written quote before any work starts. Prices on this site are typical market ranges, not quotes. Talk to a person Call any time. If we can't pick up, leave a message and you'll get a call back. [(727) 476-9241](tel:+17274769241) Rules we work to - Tampa Code Sec. 26-306 - Hillsborough County Ch. 120 Art. VII - Pinellas County Code Sec. 126-613 - Clearwater Code Sec. 32.189 - Largo Code Sec. 23-120 - Pasco County Code Sec. 110-174 - F.S. 403.0741 ## What grease trap maintenance plans cost in Tampa Bay Typical market ranges per visit, with the strength of the evidence shown for each. - ### Indoor / under-sink trap (20–100 gal), per cleaning $150–$350 per visit Low confidence greasetrapflorida.com Tampa Bay range $175–300 (directory, no published methodology) - ### Interceptor 1,000–1,500 gal, per pump-out $400–$650 per visit Medium confidence Florida size table $400–600; Brevard public bid $0.20–$1.10/gal (≈$200–$1,650) - ### Annual service contract, typical restaurant, Tampa Bay $2,500–$6,000 per year Low confidence Florida guide Tampa Bay figure What changes the price - Tank size and how full it is - Hose run and access from the truck - Disposal fee (sometimes included) - After-hours or emergency timing (+20–100%) [Estimate your annual cost](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/tools/grease-trap-cost-estimator/) ## DIY vs the cheapest hauler vs doing it properly Do it yourself Cheapest hauler Done properly What's legal Small indoor traps only, with a written protocol (Tampa) or under 50 lb capacity (Hillsborough County) Pump-and-return is banned statewide, but still happens Full pump-out to empty, as Florida law and every local program require What gets removed Floating grease you can scoop Often just the top layer and some water Floating grease, gray water, bottom solids, and buildup scraped off walls and baffles Paperwork Your own log entry A receipt, sometimes Signed manifest with volume, condition and disposal ticket number Checked against the rule Rarely measured Not measured Grease and solids depth measured against your jurisdiction's limit Problems spotted Only what you can see Usually not reported Cracked baffles, missing tees and flow-control issues noted in writing Real cost Staff time; risk of a failed inspection Low price, then repeat clogs and re-inspection fees A known price per visit on the schedule your rule sets ## Related resources - [How Do You Choose a Grease Trap Company?Eight questions that separate a hauler who keeps you compliant from one who just empties the tank.](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/choosing-a-grease-trap-company/) - [Do Grease Trap Enzymes Replace Pumping?What additives actually do, what each local program allows, and why none of them remove the need to pump.](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/grease-trap-enzymes-vs-pumping/) - [How Often Should a Grease Trap Be Cleaned in Tampa Bay?Nine rule sets in one metro. Find the one your kitchen drains into, then check it against how fast your unit actually fills.](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/how-often-grease-trap-cleaned-tampa-bay/) - [What Are Hillsborough County's Grease Trap Requirements?The county rule for Brandon, Riverview, Carrollwood, Town 'n' Country and the rest of unincorporated Hillsborough, and how it differs from the City of Tampa's.](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/hillsborough-county-grease-trap-rules/) - [What Does the City of Tampa Grease Ordinance Require?Chapter 26, Article VII in plain terms: who it covers, how often to clean and pump, what records to keep, and what happens after a violation.](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/tampa-grease-management-ordinance/) ## How grease trap maintenance plans work 1. 01 ### First call Tell us the kitchen's address, what kind of unit you have, and when it was last pumped. We tell you which rule applies and give a price range on the phone. 2. 02 ### On-site check We open the lids, measure grease and solids depth, and look at the baffles, tees and outlet. Ask for a written quote before work starts. 3. 03 ### Full pump-out The unit is pumped to empty, walls and baffles are scraped, and the inlet and outlet are checked for flow. 4. 04 ### Manifest and schedule You get a signed manifest for your logbook and a suggested date for the next visit, set by your rule and how fast the unit filled. ## What the work looks like Illustrative photos of the work described on this page. - ![Technician measuring grease and solids depth at a scheduled interceptor visit](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/images/measuring-interceptor-depth-at-scheduled-visit-1024.webp) - ![Kitchen staff dry-wiping a greasy pan before washing to keep grease out of the drain](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/images/dry-wiping-pans-before-washing-commercial-kitchen-1024.webp) - ![Strainer basket in a commercial three-compartment sink catching food solids](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/images/sink-strainer-basket-in-commercial-three-compartment-sink-1024.webp) - ![Unmarked vacuum truck parked at a strip plaza early in the morning for a scheduled pump-out](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/images/unmarked-vacuum-truck-parked-at-plaza-early-morning-1024.webp) Want a schedule that passes inspection? Call now. Call any time. If we can't pick up, leave a message and you'll get a call back. [(727) 476-9241](tel:+17274769241) [Request a quote](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/contact/) ## Grease Trap Maintenance Plans questions ### How often will you pump on a maintenance plan? No later than your jurisdiction's maximum, and sooner if the measured fill rate says the unit will pass its limit first. A busy fryer kitchen on a 90-day county rule can still need monthly service. ### Can a plan get my pumping frequency reduced? It can give you the evidence. Pinellas County and St. Petersburg grant variances of up to 180 days, and Hillsborough County reviews alternate schedules, but only for units shown to stay under the limit. Measured depths from every visit are that proof. ### Is a plan cheaper than calling when it's full? Per visit, usually yes, because scheduled work avoids the 20–100% emergency premium. It also avoids failed re-inspections, which the City of Tampa bills at $61 an hour. ### We have kitchens in different cities. Can one plan cover them? Yes. Each site keeps its own schedule and paperwork under its own rule, and records are kept to the longest retention period that applies. ### Do I get paperwork I can show an inspector? Yes. Every pump-out ends with a signed service manifest showing the date, the volume removed, the condition of the unit, confirmation that nothing was returned to it, and the disposal facility's ticket number. Florida law (F.S. 403.0741) requires you to keep that manifest on site for at least a year, and some local programs ask for three. ## Related services - [Grease Interceptor Pumping](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/grease-interceptor-pumping/) - [Indoor Grease Trap Cleaning](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/indoor-grease-trap-cleaning/) - [Grease Trap Inspection](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/grease-trap-inspection/) Get a price for your kitchen today. Call any time. If we can't pick up, leave a message and you'll get a call back. [(727) 476-9241](tel:+17274769241) [Request a quote](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/contact/)