Grease Trap Cleaning Tampa 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 |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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.
Interceptors: three kinds of rule
- Fixed maximum interval. Pinellas County (30 days), St. Petersburg (monthly), Largo (30 operational days), Hillsborough County (90 days), Pasco County (90 days).
- 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.
- 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 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.