Delaware Grease Trap Regulations (2026)
Everything a Delaware restaurant or commercial kitchen needs to know about grease trap requirements: who regulates it, how often you must clean, what permits and registration you need, what records to keep, and what violations actually cost. Citations link to the official source so you can verify every claim — and show your inspector you did.
Delaware Requirements at a Glance
| Cleaning frequency | When the grease trap is ¾ full, the owner must notify their Class F hauler and have it pumped within 2 working days, with complete removal of all contents (not just skimming). |
| State regulator | Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Water |
| Governing regulation | 7 DE Admin. Code §7101 (Regulations Governing On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems); 7 Del. C. Ch. 60 (enforcement) |
| Manifest required | Yes — Class F licensees file quarterly reports of each location serviced (911 address) and gallons removed; grease trap waste may not be mixed with septage without the receiving facility's written approval (source) |
| Licensed hauler required | Yes — Delaware Class F Non-Hazardous Liquid Waste Transporters License — haulers carry a $5,000 performance bond and file quarterly reports; a copy of your grease trap maintenance contract must reach DNREC within 15 days of signing (source) |
| Record retention | at least 3 years for pump-out manifests under federal pretreatment rules (40 CFR §403.12(o)); no separate Delaware period is stated (source) |
| Penalties | DNREC enforces under 7 Del. C. Ch. 60 with administrative orders, civil penalties, and injunctions for unpermitted discharges and hauler infractions (specific amounts not published in the reviewed text). (source) |
Who Regulates Grease Traps in Delaware
At the state level, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Water (program page) oversees FOG (fats, oils, and grease) discharge; the governing rule is 7 DE Admin. Code §7101 (Regulations Governing On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems); 7 Del. C. Ch. 60 (enforcement). Day-to-day enforcement — inspections, cleaning intervals, fines — usually happens through your city or county sewer utility's pretreatment program, which can set stricter rules than the state.
Hauler Licensing & Verification
Delaware requires grease trap waste to be transported by licensed/registered haulers under Delaware Class F Non-Hazardous Liquid Waste Transporters License — haulers carry a $5,000 performance bond and file quarterly reports; a copy of your grease trap maintenance contract must reach DNREC within 15 days of signing. (source) Before signing a contract, verify the hauler's registration on the official lookup — it takes two minutes and it's the single best protection against illegal-dumping liability landing on you.
Manifests & Record Keeping
- Collect a signed manifest (Class F licensees file quarterly reports of each location serviced (911 address) and gallons removed; grease trap waste may not be mixed with septage without the receiving facility's written approval) at every service — date, volume removed, hauler license, disposal facility. (source)
- Keep records at least 3 years for pump-out manifests under federal pretreatment rules (40 CFR §403.12(o)); no separate Delaware period is stated. (source)
- Track everything in one place: free maintenance log and cleaning schedule template.
Worth Knowing in Delaware
Delaware has a distinctive statewide requirement: before any pumping can happen, the restaurant and a Class F-licensed hauler must sign a Grease Trap Maintenance Contract, and a copy has to be filed with DNREC within 15 days. Cleaning is triggered by a ¾-full threshold (higher than the common 25% rule), and grease waste must be kept separate from septage unless the disposal facility approves co-mingling in writing. Wilmington and Dover don't publish separate municipal FOG ordinances — the state DNREC framework governs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must grease traps be cleaned in Delaware?
When the grease trap is ¾ full, the owner must notify their Class F hauler and have it pumped within 2 working days, with complete removal of all contents (not just skimming). Your city's FOG program may require more frequent service — and regardless of the legal interval, clean before fats, oils, and grease reach 25% of trap capacity.
Do I need a manifest for grease trap cleaning in Delaware?
Yes. Get a signed manifest (Class F licensees file quarterly reports of each location serviced (911 address) and gallons removed; grease trap waste may not be mixed with septage without the receiving facility's written approval) from the hauler at every service and keep it at least 3 years for pump-out manifests under federal pretreatment rules (40 CFR §403.12(o)); no separate Delaware period is stated. It's the document inspectors ask for first.
What are the penalties for grease trap violations in Delaware?
DNREC enforces under 7 Del. C. Ch. 60 with administrative orders, civil penalties, and injunctions for unpermitted discharges and hauler infractions (specific amounts not published in the reviewed text). Enforcement is usually municipal, so your city's fine schedule controls — the fastest way to stay off it is a maintained cleaning schedule and complete records.
Can anyone pump my grease trap in Delaware?
No — use a licensed/registered hauler (Delaware Class F Non-Hazardous Liquid Waste Transporters License — haulers carry a $5,000 performance bond and file quarterly reports; a copy of your grease trap maintenance contract must reach DNREC within 15 days of signing). If your hauler dumps illegally, the paper trail you kept is your protection. Verify registration on the official lookup linked above.
Do I need a permit for a grease trap in Delaware?
In most Delaware cities, yes — food service establishments must register with, or get a permit from, the local FOG / pretreatment program before discharging grease trap waste to the sewer. The exact permit and registration requirements vary by city; the major-city programs are listed above, and your local sewer authority has the specifics for your address.
Next Steps
- Find grease trap cleaning companies in Delaware
- Run the Delaware-adapted compliance checklist
- Put manifests and pricing in writing (free template)
Official Sources
- https://dnrec.delaware.gov/water/commercial-government/groundwater-discharge-licenses/
- https://dnrec.delaware.gov/water/commercial-government/transporters/
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/delaware/7-Del-Admin-Code-SS-7101-4.0
- https://documents.dnrec.delaware.gov/Water/Septics/forms/grease-trap-maintenance-contract.pdf
- https://den.dnrec.delaware.gov/Search/PermitSearch.aspx
This guide summarizes official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change — confirm requirements with Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Water and your local FOG program.
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