New Jersey Grease Trap Regulations (2026)
Everything a New Jersey 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.
New Jersey Requirements at a Glance
| Cleaning frequency | State code (N.J.A.C. 7:9A-8.1) triggers a pump-out when grease and solids reach 75% of trap capacity — a higher threshold than the 25% rule most states use. Local sewer authorities commonly layer on a minimum calendar interval (often every 90 days or 6 months). |
| State regulator | New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) |
| Governing regulation | N.J.A.C. 7:9A-8.1 (grease removal / high-strength wastewater pretreatment) — grease traps required for restaurants and institutional kitchens; minimum 750-gallon capacity; pump-out at 75% of capacity |
| Manifest required | Yes — NJDEP chain-of-custody manifest on every load from generator to authorized disposal/recycling facility (source) |
| Licensed hauler required | Yes — NJDEP A-901 licensed solid waste transporter with NJDEP vehicle decals — required before transporting grease trap waste (source) |
| Record retention | at least 3 years statewide; the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (Newark/Jersey City area) extends this to 5 years (source) |
| Penalties | Enforcement is largely by local sewer authorities. In Newark, the baseline penalty is $380 per day, doubling after two missed pump-outs and reaching up to $1,000 per violation after notice. (source) |
Who Regulates Grease Traps in New Jersey
At the state level, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) (program page) oversees FOG (fats, oils, and grease) discharge; the governing rule is N.J.A.C. 7:9A-8.1 (grease removal / high-strength wastewater pretreatment) — grease traps required for restaurants and institutional kitchens; minimum 750-gallon capacity; pump-out at 75% of capacity. 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
New Jersey requires grease trap waste to be transported by licensed/registered haulers under NJDEP A-901 licensed solid waste transporter with NJDEP vehicle decals — required before transporting grease trap waste. (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 (NJDEP chain-of-custody manifest on every load from generator to authorized disposal/recycling facility) at every service — date, volume removed, hauler license, disposal facility. (source)
- Keep records at least 3 years statewide; the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (Newark/Jersey City area) extends this to 5 years. (source)
- Track everything in one place: free maintenance log and cleaning schedule template.
City Programs in New Jersey
Cities run their own FOG programs and often set stricter rules than the state:
Newark
- Program: Newark Division of Water and Sewer Utilities / PVSC pretreatment oversight
- Ordinance: Newark municipal code (ecode360)
- Cleaning frequency: Pump-out at 75% capacity per N.J.A.C. 7:9A-8.1, with escalating enforcement after missed pump-outs
- Permit: Grease trap special device fee: $75 per device
- Fines: $380/day baseline; doubles after two missed pump-outs; up to $1,000 per violation after notice
Jersey City
- Program: Jersey City Health Department FOG control license program
- Cleaning frequency: Minimum every 6 months per state code; high-volume establishments may need monthly service
- Permit: Annual FOG control license from the city health department, co-terminous with the food establishment license
Worth Knowing in New Jersey
New Jersey stands out two ways: its state code triggers pump-outs at 75% of capacity (most states use 25%), and its A-901 hauler program — created to keep organized crime out of the waste industry — requires NJDEP-licensed transporters with vehicle decals. In the Newark/Jersey City area, the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission adds its own FOG approval number and quarterly manifest requirements on top of state rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must grease traps be cleaned in New Jersey?
State code (N.J.A.C. 7:9A-8.1) triggers a pump-out when grease and solids reach 75% of trap capacity — a higher threshold than the 25% rule most states use. Local sewer authorities commonly layer on a minimum calendar interval (often every 90 days or 6 months). 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 New Jersey?
Yes. Get a signed manifest (NJDEP chain-of-custody manifest on every load from generator to authorized disposal/recycling facility) from the hauler at every service and keep it at least 3 years statewide; the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (Newark/Jersey City area) extends this to 5 years. It's the document inspectors ask for first.
What are the penalties for grease trap violations in New Jersey?
Enforcement is largely by local sewer authorities. In Newark, the baseline penalty is $380 per day, doubling after two missed pump-outs and reaching up to $1,000 per violation after notice. 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 New Jersey?
No — use a licensed/registered hauler (NJDEP A-901 licensed solid waste transporter with NJDEP vehicle decals — required before transporting grease trap waste). If your hauler dumps illegally, the paper trail you kept is your protection. Verify registration on the official lookup linked above.
Next Steps
- Find grease trap cleaning companies in New Jersey
- Run the New Jersey-adapted compliance checklist
- Put manifests and pricing in writing (free template)
Official Sources
- https://dep.nj.gov/dshw/a901/
- https://dep.nj.gov/wastedecals/commercial-solid-waste-transporters/
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-7-9A-8-1
- https://www.nj.gov/pvsc/home/forms/pdf/PVSC%20Rules_%20Regulations_effective_7123.pdf
- https://www.nj.gov/pvsc/home/forms/pdf/Application_Grease_Trap_2020.pdf
- https://ecode360.com/36645711
This guide summarizes official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change — confirm requirements with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and your local FOG program.
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