Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit in Miami, Florida (2026)
Without a valid Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit, also called a FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease) Control Permit, the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department will deny your Certificate of Use, blocking your restaurant from opening. You need this permit from the City of Miami’s Department of Resilience and Public Works before your first grease-laden discharge enters the sanitary sewer system. Key facts:
- 77 fields to complete — ApronPrep auto-fills 64 of them.
- $0–$0 in government filing fees for the permit application itself, per the City of Miami fee schedule.
- Varies processing timeline, depending on plan review and inspection scheduling.
Analyzed from Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit
83% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit
The requirement for a Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit in Miami is enforced under the Miami-Dade County Sewer Use Ordinance and City of Miami municipal codes related to environmental protection and public works. These regulations, including Chapter 24 of the Miami-Dade County Code and the City's Department of Public Works standards, specifically prohibit the discharge of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) into the public sewer system at levels that could cause blockages or damage infrastructure. The permit is issued by the City of Miami's Department of Resilience and Public Works, and it verifies that your restaurant's proposed or existing grease interceptor system complies with local sizing, installation, and maintenance standards.
Operating without this permit, or in violation of its conditions, carries immediate and costly consequences. Based on Miami-Dade County and City of Miami enforcement protocols, common penalties include:
- Substantial fines — Civil penalties can be assessed per day of violation, with amounts escalating for repeat offenses.
- Service disconnection — The city can physically disconnect your water and sewer service, forcing an immediate shutdown.
- Required remediation — You will be responsible for all costs to clean blocked sewer lines, including public portions, and to upgrade your interceptor system to code.
- Permit revocation — Non-compliance can lead to the revocation of this and related permits, halting your ability to operate until fully re-permitted.
Legal code: Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
Recent update: As of 2026, the City of Miami has implemented enhanced inspection protocols for high-volume food service establishments, requiring third-party certification of grease trap capacity and installation prior to permit submission.
Who Needs a Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required under City of Miami and Miami-Dade County ordinances for any establishment with a connection to the sanitary sewer system that discharges FOG (fats, oils, and grease). |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required if the facility has a commercial kitchen or food service operation that generates FOG, per Miami-Dade County Public Works requirements. |
| Food Truck | Not Required | Typically exempt from a permanent grease trap permit as operations are mobile; however, discharge at a commissary or servicing station must be managed under that fixed location's permit. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required if the establishment has a food preparation sink, dishwasher, or any equipment that discharges grease-laden wastewater into the sanitary sewer. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (77 Fields)
64 of 77 auto-filledNew Business/Operator Application
checkboxCheck this box if this is an application for a new business location or a new operator taking over a facility that did not previously have a permit.
COMMON MISTAKE: Checking both AppType1 and AppType2, which creates a contradictory application type and will cause the form to be rejected.
Modification of Existing Facility
checkboxCheck this box if you are making changes to an existing permitted facility, such as adding seating, changing equipment, or altering the plumbing layout.
COMMON MISTAKE: Failing to check any application type box, which results in an incomplete submission that cannot be processed.
Applicant Legal Name
textEnter the exact legal business name as registered with the Florida Division of Corporations or other state authority, including suffixes like LLC, Inc., or Corp.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a DBA ('Doing Business As') name or a trade name instead of the registered legal entity name.
Applicant Mailing Address
textEnter the full mailing address for the business entity, including street, city, state, and ZIP code, where official correspondence should be sent.
COMMON MISTAKE: Listing the facility address here instead of the corporate or legal mailing address, which causes confusion and delays in receiving notices.
Authorized Representative Name
textEnter the full legal name of the person authorized to sign and submit this application on behalf of the business, typically an owner, officer, or registered agent.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this field blank or entering a generic title like 'Manager' without a specific person's name.
Representative Title
textEnter the official position or title of the authorized representative (e.g., President, Managing Member, Owner) to establish their signing authority.
Representative Email Address
textEnter a valid, monitored email address for the authorized representative, which the City of Miami will use for all application status updates and requests.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using an incorrect or typo-filled email address, which means you will not receive critical communications and can miss deadlines.
Representative Phone Number
textEnter a direct phone number for the authorized representative, including area code, in a standard U.S. format (e.g., (305) 555-0123).
Facility Complete Address
textEnter the full physical street address of the restaurant or food service facility where the grease trap/interceptor will be installed or modified, including unit/suite number if applicable.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering an incomplete address (missing suite number) or a P.O. Box, which prevents the inspector from locating the site for the mandatory inspection.
Facility Phone Number
textEnter the main, publicly listed phone number for the food service facility, which inspectors may use to coordinate site visits.
ApronPrep auto-fills 64 of 77 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit Mistakes
1. Incorrect or Missing Grease Trap/Interceptor Specifications
Entering generic information like 'grease trap' without providing the make, model, capacity (in gallons), and flow rate. This triggers a 'Request for Additional Information' from Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) because sizing calculations cannot be verified. Always pull the exact specifications from your purchased equipment's data plate or manufacturer's cut sheet to enter into the form.
2. Inaccurate Plumbing Plan Drawing
Submitting a hand-drawn or oversimplified diagram that doesn't show the precise location of the interceptor, all connected fixtures (sinks, dishwashers, floor drains), pipe sizes, and flow direction. Non-compliant plans are the top cause of full application rejection, adding 3-4 weeks for a redraw and resubmission. Use a scaled, professional plumbing plan or, at minimum, a clear digital drawing that labels every component per WASD's detailed checklist.
3. Listing the Wrong Business Legal Structure or Owner
Using a DBA ('Doing Business As') name for the applicant when the permit must be issued to the legal entity (e.g., the LLC or Corporation) that holds the property lease or title. Applications with mismatched entities are put on hold until corrected, delaying lease and CO finalization. Pull the exact legal business name from your Florida Division of Corporations Sunbiz filing or Articles of Incorporation.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit
ApronPrep auto-fills 64 of 77 fields from one compliance interview.
No credit card required
Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit by City in Florida
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | ||
| Miami | ||
| Tampa | Contact City of Tampa Wastewater Department for current permit and annual compliance fees | Contact Wastewater Department for processing timeline |
Timeline: Varies (Typically 6–12 Weeks)
Hire a Licensed Plumber & Review Miami-Dade Code
Consult a Miami-Dade County licensed plumbing contractor to determine the required grease interceptor size and location based on your specific kitchen equipment and menu. Review Miami-Dade County Plumbing Code § 10-4.2 and the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) grease control regulations to understand specifications for sizing, installation, and approved models. A common delay is selecting an interceptor that doesn’t meet the county’s approved materials or flow-rate standards.
Prepare Detailed Plumbing Plans & Interceptor Specifications
Have your plumber draft detailed plumbing plans showing the exact location of the grease interceptor (indoor or outdoor), all connected fixtures (sinks, dishwashers, floor drains), pipe sizes, and routing. The plans must include the manufacturer’s cut-sheet for the proposed interceptor model, noting its capacity (in gallons) and flow rate (in GPM). Applications are often rejected for incomplete plans missing the fixture unit calculations or the interceptor’s product specifications.
Submit Application Packet to DERM & Miami-Dade Water & Sewer
File your complete application packet, including the plumbing permit application (with ApronPrep auto-filled business details), the detailed plumbing plans, interceptor specifications, and the required government filing fees with Miami-Dade County DERM and the Water and Sewer Department. You can submit online via the Miami-Dade County ePermits portal or in person at the Permitting and Inspection Center. Missing the separate Water & Sewer Department approval is a frequent oversight that adds weeks to the timeline.
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 Florida.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Annual Report Filing
state
Application for Employer Identification Number
federal
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsProcessing time varies based on plan review and inspection scheduling. According to Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) guidelines, plan review can take several weeks, followed by the required inspection. Contact WASD directly for current processing timelines, as they depend on project complexity and department workload.
The City of Miami and Miami-Dade County do not charge a specific government filing fee for the grease trap permit itself. However, you will likely need a Building Permit for installation, which has associated fees, and you are responsible for all costs related to certified installer labor, equipment, and any required plan reviews by the WASD. Not legal advice — verify all costs with Miami-Dade WASD and the City of Miami Building Department.
No, grease trap permits are site-specific and tied to the physical plumbing and interceptor installation. If you move your restaurant, you must apply for a new permit at the new location, which will require new plans, a new Building Permit for the plumbing work, and a new inspection. The existing permit cannot be transferred or reassigned.
The installation permit itself is not typically renewed; it's a one-time approval for construction. Ongoing compliance is enforced through mandatory maintenance and inspections. Per Miami-Dade WASD regulations, commercial food service establishments must have grease interceptors serviced (pumped out) by a licensed hauler at a frequency determined by the unit's size and usage, with records kept on-site for inspection.
A WASD or City of Miami plumbing inspector will verify the interceptor is installed according to the approved plans, is the correct size and type for your facility, and is properly connected to the sanitary sewer line. They will check for proper venting, accessible lids for servicing, and that it is operational. Passing this inspection is a critical step before you can obtain a final 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 Florida specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 77 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
- Jacksonville — Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Miami — Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Tampa — Department of Public Works (DPW)
This Form Is One of 60+ Requirements.
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