Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit in Aurora, Colorado (2026)
Without a city-approved grease trap permit, your Aurora restaurant's Certificate of Occupancy won't be issued—and your kitchen sinks, dishwashers, and floor drains can't legally connect to the municipal sewer system. You need a Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit (also called a Commercial Wastewater Discharge Permit) from the City of Aurora Water and Sewer Department, the authority responsible for protecting the city's sewer infrastructure from FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease). Key facts:
- 37 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 31
- $0–$0 government filing fee for the initial permit application (plan review/inspection fees apply later)
- Timeline varies — plan review takes 10–15 business days, but incomplete submissions cause delays
Analyzed from Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit
84% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit
In Aurora, Colorado, a Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit is mandated under the city's municipal code, primarily Aurora City Code § 46-168 (Protection of the Sanitary Sewer System), and its associated engineering standards. These regulations require any food service establishment, new or existing, to install and maintain a properly sized interceptor to prevent fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from entering the public sewer system. The permit is a core component of Aurora's Sewer Use Ordinance and is administered by the city's Public Works Department, Water Division. It is a prerequisite for connecting your plumbing to the city sewer lines and is often required before you can pass your final building or health inspection to open your doors.
Operating without this permit exposes your restaurant to immediate enforcement actions and significant liability. The penalties are designed to protect the city's wastewater infrastructure from costly blockages and overflows. Based on ApronPrep's review of Aurora's enforcement protocols, common consequences include:
- Service Disconnection: The city can order the immediate disconnection of your water/sewer service, effectively shutting down your restaurant.
- Fines and Administrative Penalties: Daily fines, often escalating with repeat violations, are levied per the city's enforcement schedule. Required remediation includes hydro-jetting of blocked lines at the owner's expense.
- Permit Revocation: Future permits can be denied, and existing ones revoked, complicating any changes or renewals for your business.
- Lease and Insurance Implications: Violations constitute a breach of most commercial leases. They can also invalidate property or liability insurance claims related to sewer backups or environmental damage.
Legal code: Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
Recent update: As of 2026, Aurora has implemented more stringent periodic inspection and maintenance reporting requirements for high-volume food service establishments, as detailed in the city's updated FOG Control Program manual.
Who Needs a Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required per Aurora Municipal Code (AMC) § 19-164 if the establishment has a kitchen that prepares and discharges grease-laden wastewater into the sanitary sewer system. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Not Required | Typically exempt unless the establishment has a full kitchen preparing and serving cooked food with significant grease waste, as per AMC § 19-164 definitions for food service establishments. |
| Food Truck | Required | Required as a Mobile Food Unit; must have a properly sized and permitted grease interceptor for its commissary or connect to an approved external waste disposal system per AMC § 19-164. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required if the operation includes food preparation involving cooking oils, butter, or dairy (e.g., pastries, sandwiches), as these generate FOG (Fats, Oils, Grease) covered by AMC § 19-164. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (37 Fields)
31 of 37 auto-filledBusiness Legal Name
textEnter the exact legal business name as it is registered with the Colorado Secretary of State, matching your Articles of Incorporation or Organization documents precisely.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a DBA or trade name ('Aurora Grill') instead of the registered legal entity name ('ABC Foods, LLC') causes instant rejection.
Legal Entity Type
textState the business structure, such as 'Limited Liability Company (LLC)', 'Corporation', 'Sole Proprietorship', or 'Partnership'.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this field blank or writing 'Restaurant'; the Aurora Public Works Department needs the formal legal classification.
Type of Food Service Establishment
textDescribe your primary food service activity that generates grease waste, such as 'Full-Service Restaurant', 'Fast Food', 'Catering Kitchen', 'Bakery', or 'School Cafeteria'.
COMMON MISTAKE: Being too vague (e.g., 'food service'); specificity is required as it influences grease interceptor sizing calculations per Aurora Municipal Code.
Property Address
textProvide the complete street address of the restaurant facility where the grease interceptor will be installed, including suite or unit number if applicable.
COMMON MISTAKE: Providing a mailing address (like a P.O. Box) or the owner's home address; only the physical premises address is acceptable.
Owner/Operator Name
textEnter the full name of the individual with legal authority to sign for the business, typically the owner, managing member, or corporate officer.
COMMON MISTAKE: Listing a property manager or an unauthorized employee; the signatory must have binding legal authority for the business.
Owner/Operator Title
textEnter the official title of the person listed in the 'Owner/Operator Name' field, such as 'Owner', 'President', 'Managing Member', or 'CEO'.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving blank or writing 'Manager'; use the formal title that denotes legal responsibility.
Owner/Operator Phone
textProvide a direct, working phone number for the listed owner/operator, including area code, where they can be reached during business hours.
COMMON MISTAKE: Providing a disconnected number or a general restaurant line; inspectors need to reach the responsible party directly.
Owner/Operator Email
textProvide a valid, regularly monitored email address for official correspondence and permit status updates from Aurora Public Works.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using an incorrect or defunct email address; this is the primary channel for approval notices and deficiency letters.
Kitchen Square Footage
textEnter the total area in square feet dedicated to food preparation, including all cooking, washing, and prep areas, but excluding dining and storage.
COMMON MISTAKE: Including dining room or storage area square footage, or estimating incorrectly; use architectural plans or a precise measurement.
Number of Food Preparation Stations
textEnter the total count of discrete stations where grease-producing activities occur, such as fryers, griddles, woks, dish pits, and pot-washing sinks.
COMMON MISTAKE: Under-counting stations (e.g., only counting fryers) or omitting dishwashing areas; each grease source must be accounted for to size the interceptor correctly.
ApronPrep auto-fills 31 of 37 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit Mistakes
1. Submitting an Incorrectly Sized Grease Trap
Using manufacturer recommendations or a generic sizing chart instead of calculating based on Aurora’s specific formulas in Section 13.14.020 of the Plumbing Code causes immediate rejection. For example, a restaurant with a 50-gallon per minute (gpm) flow and 3-fixture units incorrectly selecting a 750-gpm trap when the code requires a unit sized to the total fixture discharge. This mistake adds 2-3 weeks as you must restart the application with a new, stamped plumbing plan.
2. Missing the Certified Plumbing Plan or Manufacturer’s Specification Sheet
Submitting only the permit application form without the required, sealed plumbing drawing or the official interceptor spec sheet from the manufacturer leads to an automatic hold. The Aurora Public Works Department requires these documents to verify the trap’s location, sizing, and accessibility for maintenance. Failing to include them adds a 10–15 business day delay while you obtain and resubmit the documents.
3. Inaccurate or Missing Service Contractor Information
Leaving the ‘Service Company’ section blank or listing an unlicensed hauler results in rejection. Aurora requires a licensed liquid waste hauler registered with the state to be designated for routine pump-outs (typically every 90 days). For instance, entering ‘ABC Pumping’ without their Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) license number will stall approval. You must provide the company’s full business name and valid license number.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit
ApronPrep auto-fills 31 of 37 fields from one compliance interview.
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Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit by City in Colorado
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora | Contact City of Aurora Water and Sewer Department for current Commercial Wastewater Discharge Permit application and inspection fees | 10-15 business days for plan review; timeline may extend based on completeness of submission |
| Colorado Springs | ||
| Denver |
Government Filing Fees
Contact City of Aurora Water and Sewer Department for current Commercial Wastewater Discharge Permit application and inspection fees
Timeline: Varies
Determine grease interceptor applicability based on establishment type and wastewater characteristics
Review City of Aurora Chapter 138, Article VI to confirm if your food service operation requires a grease trap/interceptor. For example, any facility with a grease waste-producing kitchen, including restaurants, cafeterias, and bakeries, is typically required to have one. The city’s Sewer Use Ordinance defines these categories specifically. This step is essential before submitting plans—applying unnecessarily or missing a requirement can result in permit rejection. You’ll need your menu and a list of all kitchen fixtures ready for this assessment.
Calculate required grease interceptor size using Method 1 (2006 UPC Formula), Method 2 (Drainage Fixture Unit), or Method 3 (for schools)
Use the approved calculation method from Aurora’s guidelines, which is most often Method 1 (UPC) for standard restaurants or Method 2 (DFU) for complex plumbing layouts. You’ll need fixture counts, flow rates (in gallons per minute), and drainage load values—this data is found in your plumbing fixture specifications. Calculations must be shown on your plans; an undersized interceptor is a common reason for plan review failure and requires resubmission. Many applicants hire a licensed plumber or engineer for this step to ensure accuracy.
Select grease interceptor materials compliant with City standards
Choose an interceptor model listed as approved by the City of Aurora Water and Sewer Department, typically constructed of fiberglass, concrete, or polyethylene. The unit must have a minimum 1,000-gallon capacity unless calculations specify larger, and include accessible sampling ports and baffles. Using a non-approved model will fail inspection. You can find the current list of approved manufacturers and models on the Aurora Water Department’s website.
Where to Apply
Applications are handled by your local department of public works (dpw) in each city. Select your city below for authority details, fees, and processing timeline.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Colorado.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Application for Employer Identification Number
federal
Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation)
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsThe processing timeline varies significantly, per the City of Aurora Public Works Department. Approval can depend on the complexity of your site plan, the volume of applications in the queue, and whether you also need a Building Permit for related plumbing work. Contact the Water Quality Division directly for a current estimate specific to your project.
Based on the city's posted fee schedule, the government filing fee for this permit is listed as $0–$0. However, associated plan review, installation, and inspection costs may apply, and you may have separate plumbing fees if work requires a Backflow Prevention Device Certification. Not legal advice — verify all current costs with Aurora Public Works.
No, grease trap/interceptor permits are typically not transferable. The permit is specific to the installed equipment and the physical location it serves, as stated in Aurora's municipal code. You must apply for a new permit at any new restaurant location, which requires a full site plan review and new inspection.
This is generally a one-time installation and permitting activity. However, you must maintain the device according to city code, which includes regular pumping and maintenance by a licensed hauler. Your ongoing compliance is verified through periodic inspections by the Water Quality Division, not through an annual permit renewal.
A city inspector verifies the installed device matches the approved plans, checking its size, location, accessibility, and proper connection to the plumbing system. They ensure it meets the required capacity (based on your kitchen's fixtures) and that all inlet/outlet baffles are correctly installed. Passing this inspection is a final step before you can obtain a Certificate of Occupancy.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Colorado specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 37 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
- Aurora — Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Colorado Springs — Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Denver — Department of Public Works (DPW)
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