Virginia Grease Trap Regulations (2026)

By the GreaseTrapFinder Editorial Team · Updated August 5, 2026 · All citations link to official sources

Everything a Virginia 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.

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.

Next Steps

Official Sources

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.

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