# How Often Should a Grease Trap Be Cleaned? (Tampa Bay) > How often a grease trap must be cleaned in Tampa Bay: weekly for indoor traps, and 30 days to condition-based for interceptors depending on city or county. URL: https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/guide/how-often-grease-trap-cleaned-tampa-bay/ Learn # 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. Updated November 14, 2026 [Grease Trap Cleaning Tampa](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/) sets cleaning schedules by jurisdiction, because Tampa Bay has no single rule. Indoor grease traps must be cleaned at least weekly in most local programs. Interceptors range from every 30 days (Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, Largo) to 90 days (Hillsborough, Pasco) to condition-based with no fixed days (Tampa, Temple Terrace). ## Grease trap cleaning frequency by jurisdiction There is no statewide interval. Florida’s 2022 grease-waste law (F.S. 403.0741) covers hauling, manifests and disposal, not frequency. Each city and county that runs a sewer system sets its own rule: 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) ## Indoor traps: at least weekly almost everywhere Small indoor traps fill fast. The City of Tampa, Temple Terrace, Pinellas County and St. Petersburg all require them to be opened and cleaned at least once a week, and Pasco County requires the same for under-sink units. Unincorporated Hillsborough applies its 90-day maximum and 25% limit to traps as well, and lets staff self-clean traps holding less than 50 pounds of grease. See [indoor grease trap cleaning](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/indoor-grease-trap-cleaning/). ## Interceptors: three kinds of rule 1. **Fixed maximum interval.** Pinellas County (30 days), St. Petersburg (monthly), Largo (30 operational days), Hillsborough County (90 days), Pasco County (90 days). 2. **Condition-based.** City of Tampa and Temple Terrace: pump before solids reach the outlet invert (about 8 inches), before grease and solids pass 25%, when the unit stops holding grease, or after a backup. 3. **Set by the city.** Clearwater monitors interceptors at least every 90 operational days and sets each facility’s pumping schedule from the results. ## The fill limit beats the calendar Every fixed interval is a ceiling, not a target. The 25% limit (20% in Pasco) applies at all times, and Pinellas County adds layer limits: grease under 6 inches, solids under 8 inches. A fryer-heavy kitchen can hit 25% in a few weeks, which is why a measured [maintenance plan](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/grease-trap-maintenance-plans/) tightens the schedule when the depths say so. ## Can you pump less often? Sometimes, with evidence. Pinellas County and St. Petersburg grant variances up to 180 days (St. Petersburg charges $275). Hillsborough County reviews alternate schedules case by case, provided the unit stays under 25% the whole time. Clearwater accepts alternate-frequency requests. A Pinellas variance is voided the first time its schedule is missed and can’t be transferred to a new owner. ## Check your jurisdiction, not your mailing address A “Tampa” mailing address doesn’t always mean City of Tampa rules. Brandon, Riverview, Carrollwood and Town ‘n’ Country are unincorporated Hillsborough. Palm Harbor is unincorporated Pinellas. St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo and Temple Terrace run their own programs. If in doubt, your sewer bill shows who your utility is. Bottom line Find your jurisdiction, take its maximum interval, then shorten it if measured depths show the unit passing 25% (20% in Pasco) sooner. For a schedule built for your address, call [(727) 476-9241](tel:+17274769241). [Related service Grease Trap Maintenance Plans Scheduled pumping set by your jurisdiction's rule and how fast your unit actually fills, with the paperwork kept straight. See the service](https://greasetrapcleaningtampa.com/grease-trap-maintenance-plans/)[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/)[Also related 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/) Want a quote? [(727) 476-9241](tel:+17274769241) ## Questions about this ### Is there a Florida law on how often to pump a grease trap? No. Florida's grease-waste statute (F.S. 403.0741) governs hauling, manifests and disposal, not frequency. The interval comes from your city or county's program. ### My address says Tampa. Do I follow the City of Tampa's rule? Only if you're inside city limits. Many addresses with a Tampa mailing city are in unincorporated Hillsborough County, which uses a 90-day maximum. Check your property's jurisdiction or your sewer bill. ### If my rule allows 90 days, can I always wait 90 days? No. The 25% limit (20% in Pasco) applies at all times. If your trap passes it in 30 days, 30 days is your real interval. ## More guides - [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/) - [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/) - [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/) 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/)