# Can I Clean My Own Grease Trap? Tampa Bay Rules > Can you clean your own grease trap? Small indoor traps, often yes, within local limits. Interceptors, no. Rules for Tampa, Hillsborough and Pinellas, step by step. URL: https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/can-i-clean-my-own-grease-trap/ Decision Guide # Can I Clean My Own Grease Trap? Which units staff may clean, the disposal limits that apply, and a step-by-step routine that meets the logbook rules. Updated November 14, 2026 [Grease Trap Cleaning Tampa](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/) sees many kitchens do their own weekly trap clean, and the rules allow it within limits. You can usually clean a small indoor grease trap yourself: Tampa allows it under a written protocol, and Hillsborough County for traps under 50 pounds capacity. Outdoor interceptors must be pumped by a registered hauler. ## Who may clean what Where Indoor trap Interceptor City of Tampa Staff under a **written protocol**, or a registered hauler Registered hauler only Hillsborough County Staff only if **under 50 lb** grease capacity Registered hauler only Pinellas County Weekly cleaning, logged County-permitted hauler only St. Petersburg Weekly cleaning with a **written protocol** on file Permitted hauler only Pasco County Under-sink units weekly County-permitted hauler ## Disposal limits In the City of Tampa, grease removed in-house can go with your solid waste only if it is **solid, dry, mixed with an oil absorbent, sealed in a bag or container, and no more than 5 pounds** (Sec. 26-306(f)(5)). Anything more needs a registered hauler. Never pour removed grease down any drain. ## A weekly routine that meets the rules Adapted from St. Petersburg’s best-practice manual: 1. Bail the water out of the trap to make cleaning easier. 2. Remove the baffles if possible. 3. Dip the grease into a watertight container. 4. Scrape the sides, lid and baffles with a putty knife into the container. 5. Hand the waste to a hauler, or dispose of it as solid waste if your local limits allow. 6. Replace the baffles and lid. 7. **Log it:** date, who did it, estimated volume removed, disposal location, manager’s initials. Don’t use hot water, acids, solvents, caustics or emulsifiers. ## When to call a hauler instead - The trap is past its limit, or solids have built up at the bottom - The baffles or outlet tee look damaged - You’ve removed more grease than the disposal limit allows - It’s an interceptor - An inspection or a violation deadline is coming See [indoor grease trap cleaning](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/indoor-grease-trap-cleaning/) and [grease interceptor pumping](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/grease-interceptor-pumping/). Bottom line Staff can handle the weekly clean of a small indoor trap under a written protocol, logged every time. Interceptors, large volumes of grease and the deep clean belong to a registered hauler. To split the work properly, call [(727) 476-9241](tel:+17274769241). [Related service Indoor Grease Trap Cleaning Under-sink and in-floor traps cleaned, logged and hauled away, including automatic grease removal devices. See the service](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/indoor-grease-trap-cleaning/)[Also related Grease Interceptor Pumping Outdoor interceptors pumped to empty, scraped and documented on the schedule your city or county enforces. See the service](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/grease-interceptor-pumping/) Want a quote? [(727) 476-9241](tel:+17274769241) ## Questions about this ### Can I put grease from my trap in the dumpster? In the City of Tampa, only if it's solid, dry, mixed with an absorbent, sealed in a bag or container, and no more than 5 pounds. In Hillsborough County, waste from self-cleaned small traps goes to solid waste. Anything else goes with a registered hauler. ### Can I pump my own grease interceptor? No. Interceptors must be pumped by a hauler registered or permitted for your jurisdiction, and the hauler's manifest is your proof. ### Do I still need a hauler if staff clean the trap weekly? Usually, for the deep clean, the solids and the disposal paperwork. Weekly in-house cleaning keeps the trap under its limit between hauler visits. ## More guides - [How Much Does Grease Trap Cleaning Cost in Tampa? (2026)Per-visit prices by trap size, what moves the number, and how your city or county's pumping rule sets the annual bill.](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/grease-trap-cleaning-cost-tampa/) - [Buying a Restaurant? Grease Trap Requirements to CheckWhy a change of ownership matters to the grease program, and the checks to make before you sign.](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/buying-a-restaurant-grease-trap/) - [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/) - [How Much Does Emergency Grease Trap Pumping Cost?The emergency premium, worked examples by unit size, and the fines and re-inspection fees that make a missed pump-out the expensive option.](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/emergency-grease-trap-pumping-cost/) - [How Much Does Grease Interceptor Pumping Cost? (Tampa Bay, 2026)Per-visit ranges by tank size, the per-gallon public-contract benchmark, and what your city or county's pumping rule does to the annual bill.](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/grease-interceptor-pumping-cost/) Get an exact price for your kitchen Two quick steps. We call back to confirm. Faster by phone: [(727) 476-9241](tel:+17274769241) Rather talk it through? 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/)