Maine Grease Trap Regulations (2026)
Everything a Maine 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.
Maine Requirements at a Glance
| Cleaning frequency | No statewide interval — state rules cover the waste side (transport and disposal), while cities like Portland run their own FOG programs that set cleaning schedules. |
| State regulator | Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management |
| Governing regulation | Maine Revised Statutes Title 38, Chapter 13 (Waste Management); 06-096 CMR Ch. 420 (Septage Management); 06-096 CMR Ch. 411 (Non-Hazardous Waste Transporter Licenses) |
| Manifest required | Yes — quarterly paper manifest submitted to Maine DEP for Category C (septage) transporters (06-096 CMR Ch. 411) (source) |
| Licensed hauler required | Yes — Maine DEP Non-Hazardous Waste Transporter License (Category C — Septage), biennial, per vehicle — grease trap waste co-mingled with wastewater counts as septage (source) |
| Penalties | Civil penalties from $100 to $10,000 per day of violation (up to $25,000/day for repeat violations within 5 years); intentional/knowing violations are a Class E crime with minimums of $2,500–$5,000/day. (source) |
Who Regulates Grease Traps in Maine
At the state level, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management (program page) oversees FOG (fats, oils, and grease) discharge; the governing rule is Maine Revised Statutes Title 38, Chapter 13 (Waste Management); 06-096 CMR Ch. 420 (Septage Management); 06-096 CMR Ch. 411 (Non-Hazardous Waste Transporter Licenses). 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
Maine requires grease trap waste to be transported by licensed/registered haulers under Maine DEP Non-Hazardous Waste Transporter License (Category C — Septage), biennial, per vehicle — grease trap waste co-mingled with wastewater counts as septage. (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 (quarterly paper manifest submitted to Maine DEP for Category C (septage) transporters (06-096 CMR Ch. 411)) at every service — date, volume removed, hauler license, disposal facility. (source)
- Track everything in one place: free maintenance log and cleaning schedule template.
City Programs in Maine
Cities run their own FOG programs and often set stricter rules than the state:
Portland
Worth Knowing in Maine
Maine handles grease at the waste-transport level: haulers need a Non-Hazardous Waste Transporter License (Category C), and grease trap waste mixed with wastewater is regulated as septage under Chapter 420. The state doesn't set a pumping frequency — that comes from municipal FOG programs like Portland's. Statewide penalties under 38 M.R.S. §349 reach $10,000 per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must grease traps be cleaned in Maine?
No statewide interval — state rules cover the waste side (transport and disposal), while cities like Portland run their own FOG programs that set cleaning schedules. 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 Maine?
Yes. Get a signed manifest (quarterly paper manifest submitted to Maine DEP for Category C (septage) transporters (06-096 CMR Ch. 411)) from the hauler at every service and keep it at least 3 years. It's the document inspectors ask for first.
What are the penalties for grease trap violations in Maine?
Civil penalties from $100 to $10,000 per day of violation (up to $25,000/day for repeat violations within 5 years); intentional/knowing violations are a Class E crime with minimums of $2,500–$5,000/day. 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 Maine?
No — use a licensed/registered hauler (Maine DEP Non-Hazardous Waste Transporter License (Category C — Septage), biennial, per vehicle — grease trap waste co-mingled with wastewater counts as septage). 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 Maine?
In most Maine 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 Maine
- Run the Maine-adapted compliance checklist
- Put manifests and pricing in writing (free template)
Official Sources
- https://www.maine.gov/dep/waste/rules/index.html
- https://www.maine.gov/dep/waste/transpinstall/nonhaztransp.html
- https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/38/title38sec349.html
- https://www.portlandmaine.gov/563/Fats-Oils-and-Grease-Program
This guide summarizes official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change — confirm requirements with Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management and your local FOG program.
Maine Grease Trap Costs & Rules by City
City-level pricing, cleaning frequency and permit requirements:
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