Georgia Grease Trap Regulations (2026)

By the GreaseTrapFinder Editorial Team · Updated June 11, 2026 · All citations link to official sources

Everything a Georgia restaurant or commercial kitchen needs to know about grease trap compliance: who regulates it, how often you must clean, 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.

Georgia Requirements at a Glance

Cleaning frequency	Minimum every 90 days (quarterly), or when the combined floating grease layer and settled solids reach 25% of the interceptor's liquid depth — whichever comes first. Full pump-outs are required; partial pumping doesn't count.
State regulator	Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Watershed Protection Branch
Governing regulation	Georgia EPD Rule 391-3-6-.24 (Commercial Waste Transporters — FOG); Georgia Code §12-5-51 (water quality violations)
Manifest required	Yes — standardized statewide manifest for every pump-out load under EPD Rule 391-3-6-.24, documenting origin, volume, and disposal site (source)
Licensed hauler required	Yes — Georgia EPD Commercial Waste Transporter registration (FOG registration number, valid two years, under Rule 391-3-6-.24) — haulers carry minimum $1M liability insurance and pass a local vehicle inspection (source)
Record retention	keep pump-out manifests on-site at least 3 years — they're checked during health department inspections (source)
Penalties	Up to $25,000 per day per violation under Georgia Code §12-5-51 for illegal dumping or trap overflow; county and city civil fines apply on top (Atlanta starts at $1,000 per day), with health-department closure possible for repeat offenders. (source)

Who Regulates Grease Traps in Georgia

At the state level, Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Watershed Protection Branch (program page) oversees FOG (fats, oils, and grease) discharge; the governing rule is Georgia EPD Rule 391-3-6-.24 (Commercial Waste Transporters — FOG); Georgia Code §12-5-51 (water quality violations). 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

Georgia requires grease trap waste to be transported by licensed/registered haulers under Georgia EPD Commercial Waste Transporter registration (FOG registration number, valid two years, under Rule 391-3-6-.24) — haulers carry minimum $1M liability insurance and pass a local vehicle inspection. (source)

Manifests & Record Keeping

Collect a signed manifest (standardized statewide manifest for every pump-out load under EPD Rule 391-3-6-.24, documenting origin, volume, and disposal site) at every service — date, volume removed, hauler license, disposal facility. (source)
Keep records keep pump-out manifests on-site at least 3 years — they're checked during health department inspections. (source)
Track everything in one place: free maintenance log and cleaning schedule template.

City Programs in Georgia

Cities run their own FOG programs and often set stricter rules than the state:

Atlanta

Program: Grease Management Program — Atlanta Department of Watershed Management
Ordinance: Atlanta Code of Ordinances §154-297.01 and §154-297.03
Cleaning frequency: Indoor under-sink traps: at least every 14 days. Outdoor gravity interceptors: at least every 90 days. Both must be pumped at 25% of liquid depth regardless of interval.
Permit: Annual interceptor permit ($300 for up to 5 traps, scaling to $1,800); site plans and trap specs required before plumbing permits are issued
Fines: Civil fines starting at $1,000 per day; $100 re-inspection fee per trap after a failed inspection; utility shut-off for repeat offenders

Savannah

Program: FOG Program — City of Savannah Water Reclamation Department
Cleaning frequency: At least every 90 days per state rule; full pump-outs required
Permit: Online permit application/renewal via the ClearForms portal (mandatory since January 2026); sampling ports required on new traps
Fines: $1,000 for non-compliance with the city ordinance

Worth Knowing in Georgia

Georgia is one of the few states with a genuinely centralized FOG system: EPD Rule 391-3-6-.24 creates a single statewide hauler registration and a standardized manifest accepted across all 159 counties, and health departments cross-check those manifests during routine restaurant inspections. Atlanta's 14-day rule for indoor under-sink traps is among the strictest intervals in the country. Savannah moved permits and manifests fully online (ClearForms/SwiftWorks portals) in late 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often must grease traps be cleaned in Georgia?

Minimum every 90 days (quarterly), or when the combined floating grease layer and settled solids reach 25% of the interceptor's liquid depth — whichever comes first. Full pump-outs are required; partial pumping doesn't count. 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 Georgia?

Yes. Get a signed manifest (standardized statewide manifest for every pump-out load under EPD Rule 391-3-6-.24, documenting origin, volume, and disposal site) from the hauler at every service and keep it keep pump-out manifests on-site at least 3 years — they're checked during health department inspections. It's the document inspectors ask for first.

What are the penalties for grease trap violations in Georgia?

Up to $25,000 per day per violation under Georgia Code §12-5-51 for illegal dumping or trap overflow; county and city civil fines apply on top (Atlanta starts at $1,000 per day), with health-department closure possible for repeat offenders. 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 Georgia?

No — use a licensed/registered hauler (Georgia EPD Commercial Waste Transporter registration (FOG registration number, valid two years, under Rule 391-3-6-.24) — haulers carry minimum $1M liability insurance and pass a local vehicle inspection). If your hauler dumps illegally, the paper trail you kept is your protection.

Next Steps

Official Sources

This guide summarizes official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change — confirm requirements with Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Watershed Protection Branch and your local FOG program.

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