Texas Grease Trap Regulations (2026)

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

Everything a Texas 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.

Texas Requirements at a Glance

Cleaning frequency	No single statewide interval. TCEQ's Model Standards for Grease Management recommend the 25% rule — clean before grease and solids reach 25% of the trap's wetted height — and Texas's major cities (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin) all set a 90-day maximum interval, whichever comes first.
State regulator	Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Governing regulation	30 TAC Chapter 312 (grease trap waste transport & trip tickets), 30 TAC §330.9 (liquid waste registrations), Texas Water Code §26.049(f)–(h)
Manifest required	Yes — five-part "trip ticket" under 30 TAC §312.145 — one copy stays with you at pickup, another returns to you within 15 days of disposal (source)
Licensed hauler required	Yes — TCEQ Sludge Transporter Registration (grease trap waste is regulated as municipal liquid waste) (source)
Record retention	haulers must keep trip tickets 5 years (30 TAC §312.145); generator requirements vary by city — Houston requires 5 years, Austin 3 years. Keeping 5 years satisfies both (source)
Penalties	State level: $50–$25,000 per day per violation (Texas Water Code §7.102; each day is a separate violation under §7.103). City fines stack on top: Houston $250–$2,000 per violation, Austin up to $2,000 per day. (source)

Who Regulates Grease Traps in Texas

At the state level, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) (program page) oversees FOG (fats, oils, and grease) discharge; the governing rule is 30 TAC Chapter 312 (grease trap waste transport & trip tickets), 30 TAC §330.9 (liquid waste registrations), Texas Water Code §26.049(f)–(h). 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

Texas requires grease trap waste to be transported by licensed/registered haulers under TCEQ Sludge Transporter Registration (grease trap waste is regulated as municipal liquid 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 (five-part "trip ticket" under 30 TAC §312.145 — one copy stays with you at pickup, another returns to you within 15 days of disposal) at every service — date, volume removed, hauler license, disposal facility. (source)
Keep records haulers must keep trip tickets 5 years (30 TAC §312.145); generator requirements vary by city — Houston requires 5 years, Austin 3 years. Keeping 5 years satisfies both. (source)
Track everything in one place: free maintenance log and cleaning schedule template.

City Programs in Texas

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

Houston

Program: Special Waste Generators Program (Houston Health Department)
Ordinance: Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 47, Article XI, §47-512(b)
Cleaning frequency: Full evacuation at least every 90 days — sooner if floating material, sediment, oils, or grease reach 25% of wetted height
Permit: Annual generator registration required; haulers need a separate city transporter permit
Fines: $250–$2,000 per violation

Dallas

Program: Dallas Water Utilities Pretreatment Program
Ordinance: Dallas City Code, Chapter 19, §19-126.2(c)
Cleaning frequency: Every 90 days minimum, or whenever 25% of the interceptor contains floating materials, sediment, oils, or grease
Permit: Compliance verified by Dallas Water Utilities liquid waste inspectors; licensed hauler required

San Antonio

Program: SAWS Fats, Oils & Grease Abatement Program
Ordinance: San Antonio City Code Chapter 34 (FOG Ordinance 2011-05-12-0378)
Cleaning frequency: At least every 90 days; within 2 working days once contents reach 25% of wetted height
Permit: Food service establishments must install compliant interceptors and register with SAWS

Austin

Program: Austin Water Grease Trap Maintenance Program
Ordinance: Austin City Code Chapter 15-10 (§15-10-197, §15-10-165)
Cleaning frequency: At least every 90 days; sooner if grease and solids reach 50% of wetted height
Permit: Must use a hauler holding a valid City of Austin permit; industrial wastewater discharge permit required
Fines: Up to $2,000 per day per violation

Worth Knowing in Texas

Texas regulates grease trap waste as "municipal liquid waste," so state rules focus on transport and disposal (trip tickets, registered haulers) while cleaning schedules come from city ordinances built on TCEQ's Model Grease Ordinance (HB 1979, 2003). The "Defend Your Drains" campaign often cited as a Texas program is actually a North Texas regional education effort run by the North Central Texas Council of Governments and 45+ member cities — not a TCEQ program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often must grease traps be cleaned in Texas?

No single statewide interval. TCEQ's Model Standards for Grease Management recommend the 25% rule — clean before grease and solids reach 25% of the trap's wetted height — and Texas's major cities (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin) all set a 90-day maximum interval, whichever comes first. 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 Texas?

Yes. Get a signed manifest (five-part "trip ticket" under 30 TAC §312.145 — one copy stays with you at pickup, another returns to you within 15 days of disposal) from the hauler at every service and keep it haulers must keep trip tickets 5 years (30 TAC §312.145); generator requirements vary by city — Houston requires 5 years, Austin 3 years. Keeping 5 years satisfies both. It's the document inspectors ask for first.

What are the penalties for grease trap violations in Texas?

State level: $50–$25,000 per day per violation (Texas Water Code §7.102; each day is a separate violation under §7.103). City fines stack on top: Houston $250–$2,000 per violation, Austin up to $2,000 per 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 Texas?

No — use a licensed/registered hauler (TCEQ Sludge Transporter Registration (grease trap waste is regulated as municipal liquid waste)). If your hauler dumps illegally, the paper trail you kept is your protection. Verify registration on the official lookup linked above.

Next Steps

Official Sources

This guide summarizes official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change — confirm requirements with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and your local FOG program.

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