Grease Trap Cleaning Tampa gets this call most often under deadline. After a City of Tampa grease Notice of Violation, you have 24 hours to clean a grease trap and 72 hours to pump an interceptor for missed frequency. Repairs get 30 days for a trap and 60 for an interceptor. A failed re-inspection costs $61 per hour.
The deadlines (City of Tampa)
| What the notice is for | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Clean a grease trap | 24 hours |
| Pump an interceptor (missed pumping frequency) | 72 hours |
| Repair a grease trap | 30 days |
| Repair a grease interceptor | 60 days |
| Replace a grease trap | 60 days |
| Replace a grease interceptor | 6 months |
Other programs set their own deadlines. Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Pasco County and Temple Terrace all inspect and enforce independently, so read your notice for the exact terms.
What to do, in order
- Read the notice for the deadline and the reason. Missed frequency, overfull unit, broken part, missing records and connection problems each need a different fix.
- Book the pump-out straight away. A 24-hour deadline leaves no room to wait. See emergency grease trap pumping.
- Keep the manifest. A signed manifest showing the date, volume removed and condition of the unit is your proof of compliance.
- Get anything structural in writing. A broken baffle or missing tee is a repair, with its own deadline. Under Tampa’s ordinance, the hauler must tell you in writing if the interceptor isn’t working properly. See grease trap repair.
- Fix the records. Missing logbook entries can’t be backfilled honestly. Start a proper log now and keep every manifest from here on.
- Prepare for the re-inspection. It’s free if you pass. If you fail, the City bills $61 for each hour of inspector time.
Why it happened, and how to stop it happening again
Most notices trace back to one of four things: a schedule set by the calendar rather than by measured fill; a trap that passes grease because a baffle or outlet tee is broken; missing paperwork; or a fixture that bypasses the trap. A pre-inspection checks all four before the next visit, and a maintenance plan keeps the dates ahead of the limit.
The cost of letting it slide
Beyond re-inspection fees, Florida law allows a fine of up to $250 for each failure to clean a grease trap or interceptor, and up to $100 for each missing manifest (F.S. 403.0741). If the City of Tampa has to pump your interceptor, you pay the pumping cost plus a $50 administrative fee.
Bottom line
Read the notice for the deadline, get the pump-out booked straight away, keep the manifest, fix anything structural within the repair window, and be ready for the re-inspection. If the clock is running now, call (727) 476-9241.