Virginia Grease Trap Regulations (2026)
Everything a Virginia 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.
Virginia Requirements at a Glance
| Cleaning frequency | No statewide interval — state food rules only require the trap be accessible for cleaning. Local sewer authorities set schedules: Virginia Beach requires at least every 90 days, or sooner when grease and solids reach 25% of capacity. |
| State regulator | Virginia Dept. of Health (food establishments) + Virginia Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services (waste kitchen grease hauler registration) |
| Governing regulation | 12VAC5-421-2530 (Virginia Food Regulations — grease traps must be accessible for cleaning); Va. Code Title 3.2, Chapter 55.1 (§§3.2-5508 to 3.2-5515, waste kitchen grease and trap grease hauler registration) |
| Manifest required | Yes — records of each pickup — source name/address, quantity, date, destination renderer/processor (Va. Code §3.2-5511) (source) |
| Licensed hauler required | Yes — VDACS Waste Kitchen Grease Transporter registration (Va. Code §3.2-5509) — apply 30+ days before operating, $100 application + $100/vehicle, $1M liability insurance, and a VDACS decal on each vehicle (source) |
| Record retention | 2 years for all waste kitchen grease transport records (Va. Code §3.2-5511) (source) |
| Penalties | Civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation (Va. Code §3.2-5515); operating as an unregistered transporter is a Class 3 misdemeanor, and registration can be suspended or revoked for theft or contamination (§3.2-5513). (source) |
Who Regulates Grease Traps in Virginia
At the state level, Virginia Dept. of Health (food establishments) + Virginia Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services (waste kitchen grease hauler registration) (program page) oversees FOG (fats, oils, and grease) discharge; the governing rule is 12VAC5-421-2530 (Virginia Food Regulations — grease traps must be accessible for cleaning); Va. Code Title 3.2, Chapter 55.1 (§§3.2-5508 to 3.2-5515, waste kitchen grease and trap grease hauler registration). 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
Virginia requires grease trap waste to be transported by licensed/registered haulers under VDACS Waste Kitchen Grease Transporter registration (Va. Code §3.2-5509) — apply 30+ days before operating, $100 application + $100/vehicle, $1M liability insurance, and a VDACS decal on each vehicle. (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 (records of each pickup — source name/address, quantity, date, destination renderer/processor (Va. Code §3.2-5511)) at every service — date, volume removed, hauler license, disposal facility. (source)
- Keep records 2 years for all waste kitchen grease transport records (Va. Code §3.2-5511). (source)
- Track everything in one place: free maintenance log and cleaning schedule template.
City Programs in Virginia
Cities run their own FOG programs and often set stricter rules than the state:
Virginia Beach
- Program: Virginia Beach Department of Public Utilities FOG Program (adopted 2009)
- Ordinance: Virginia Beach FOG ordinance
- Cleaning frequency: At least every 90 days; high-volume kitchens may need monthly service; also required at 25% of capacity
- Permit: Each establishment must have at least one FOG-certified employee (certification via the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission)
Richmond
- Program: Richmond Department of Public Utilities Pretreatment / FOG Program
- Ordinance: Richmond pretreatment program (300 mg/L oil & grease daily-max discharge limit)
- Cleaning frequency: Regular maintenance required; many businesses service every 3 months
- Permit: Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit + pretreatment questionnaire; waiver available for limited food-prep establishments
Worth Knowing in Virginia
Virginia is unusual in running its grease hauler program through the Department of Agriculture (VDACS), not the environmental agency — waste kitchen grease is regulated under the agriculture code (Title 3.2, Chapter 55.1) with a $5,000-per-violation ceiling and vehicle decals. Virginia Beach also bans grease-dissolving additives in its FOG ordinance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must grease traps be cleaned in Virginia?
No statewide interval — state food rules only require the trap be accessible for cleaning. Local sewer authorities set schedules: Virginia Beach requires at least every 90 days, or sooner when grease and solids reach 25% of capacity. 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 Virginia?
Yes. Get a signed manifest (records of each pickup — source name/address, quantity, date, destination renderer/processor (Va. Code §3.2-5511)) from the hauler at every service and keep it 2 years for all waste kitchen grease transport records (Va. Code §3.2-5511). It's the document inspectors ask for first.
What are the penalties for grease trap violations in Virginia?
Civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation (Va. Code §3.2-5515); operating as an unregistered transporter is a Class 3 misdemeanor, and registration can be suspended or revoked for theft or contamination (§3.2-5513). 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 Virginia?
No — use a licensed/registered hauler (VDACS Waste Kitchen Grease Transporter registration (Va. Code §3.2-5509) — apply 30+ days before operating, $100 application + $100/vehicle, $1M liability insurance, and a VDACS decal on each vehicle). 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 Virginia?
In most Virginia 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 Virginia
- Run the Virginia-adapted compliance checklist
- Put manifests and pricing in writing (free template)
Official Sources
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title12/agency5/chapter421/section2530/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title3.2/chapter55.1/
- https://pu.virginiabeach.gov/conservation-education/fats-oil-grease
- https://www.rva.gov/public-utilities/pretreatment
This guide summarizes official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change — confirm requirements with Virginia Dept. of Health (food establishments) + Virginia Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services (waste kitchen grease hauler registration) and your local FOG program.
Virginia Grease Trap Costs & Rules by City
City-level pricing, cleaning frequency and permit requirements:
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