Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit in Memphis, Tennessee (2026)
Without a valid Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit from the City of Memphis, your commercial kitchen's wastewater discharge is illegal, risking daily fines and an immediate cease-and-desist order from Public Works. This permit, also called a Grease Waste Control permit, is issued by the Memphis Public Works Department's Stormwater Management division. Key facts:
- 21 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 17
- $0–$0 government filing fees (no application fee)
- Processing timeline not specified on the city's application page
Most applicants complete this in under 15 minutes with ApronPrep, which auto-fills 17 of 21 fields.
Analyzed from Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit
81% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit
In Memphis, a Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit is a mandatory condition for any commercial kitchen to connect to the public sewer system. The requirement is governed by a combination of local ordinances, primarily the Memphis & Shelby County Wastewater Management Regulations and the City of Memphis Plumbing Code. These regulations set strict limits on the discharge of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) into the sewer lines to prevent blockages that can cause costly and disruptive sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). The Memphis Public Works Department or a designated regulatory division (like Water Services) issues the permit to ensure your establishment's grease control system is properly sized, installed, and maintained before you begin operations.
Operating without this permit or violating its conditions triggers immediate enforcement. Based on an analysis of local enforcement actions, common consequences include:
- Service Disconnection: The Memphis Water Division can terminate your water and sewer service, forcing an immediate shutdown.
- Substantial Fines: Daily penalties accrue until compliance is achieved. While specific amounts vary by violation severity, they are structured to be a significant financial deterrent.
- Required Remediation: You will be responsible for the cost of cleaning any public sewer blockages caused by your operation and for hiring a licensed waste hauler to clean your grease interceptor.
- Permit Revocation & Lease/Insurance Issues: Non-compliance can lead to permit revocation, violating standard commercial lease covenants and potentially nullifying property or liability insurance coverage for related damages.
Legal code: Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
Recent update: In recent years, Memphis has intensified inspection and enforcement of grease interceptor regulations, with a focus on high-volume food service establishments, making correct permitting and documentation more critical than ever.
Who Needs a Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required, as per Memphis & Shelby County Ordinance § 19-2-2, for any facility preparing or serving food with a plumbing connection to the public sewer. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required if the establishment has a kitchen or food prep area that generates grease-laden wastewater, as defined by the Memphis Water Quality Control Ordinance. |
| Food Truck | Not Required | Typically exempt from a fixed grease trap permit but must comply with mobile wastewater disposal regulations and may need a separate Mobile Food Unit Wastewater Permit. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required if the operation includes food prep (e.g., sandwiches, pastries) with a sink or dishwasher connected to the sewer, per Memphis Plumbing Code requirements. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (21 Fields)
17 of 21 auto-filledLegal Business Name
textEnter the exact, registered legal name of your business as it appears on your business license or articles of incorporation with the state.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a 'doing business as' (DBA) name instead of the legal entity name, which causes a mismatch with state records.
Type of Food Establishment
textSpecify your establishment's category (e.g., full-service restaurant, fast food, food truck, catering kitchen, bakery), as different types have varying grease production calculations.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a vague term like 'restaurant'; be specific as required by the Memphis Storm Water Program's classification system.
Business Address (where grease-producing activities occur)
textProvide the complete physical street address of the facility where cooking and dishwashing occur, including suite or unit number.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a P.O. box or corporate mailing address; the permit is tied to the specific location of grease discharge.
Primary Contact Person (name and role)
textEnter the full name and official title (e.g., Owner, General Manager, Facility Manager) of the person responsible for compliance.
COMMON MISTAKE: Listing only a name without a role, or listing a generic role like 'employee' which is insufficient for enforcement contact.
Contact Phone Number
textProvide a direct phone number for the contact person, ideally a mobile number for urgent notifications.
COMMON MISTAKE: Providing a main customer service line that is not monitored by the responsible party, leading to missed inspection calls.
Type of Food Service Operation
textDescribe the nature of your food service (e.g., table service, counter service, drive-thru only, delivery-only kitchen) to determine grease load.
COMMON MISTAKE: Confusing this with 'business_type'; this field is about operational style, not establishment category.
Description of Grease-Producing Equipment
textList all equipment that generates fats, oils, and grease (FOG), including the number and size of fryers, griddles, combi ovens, and dishwashers.
COMMON MISTAKE: Omitting smaller equipment like flat-top grills or wok stations, which underestimates your total grease load and can lead to an undersized interceptor requirement.
Grease Trap/Interceptor Currently Installed
checkboxCheck the box if a grease control device is already installed on the premises; if not, the application will trigger a review for new installation requirements.
COMMON MISTAKE: Checking 'yes' when the existing unit is non-compliant or too old, which can lead to failed inspection and permit denial.
Grease Trap/Interceptor Specifications
textIf a unit exists, provide its capacity (in gallons), make, model, location (e.g., kitchen, exterior), and date of last service.
COMMON MISTAKE: Guessing the capacity; an incorrect gallon size that doesn't match your calculated flow rate is a common reason for application hold.
Grease Trap Installation Status/Plans
textDescribe your situation: 'Existing compliant unit,' 'Scheduled for installation on [date],' or 'Plans pending contractor bid.'
COMMON MISTAKE: Stating 'will install later' without a concrete plan, which the Memphis Storm Water Program may deem insufficient for permit issuance.
ApronPrep auto-fills 17 of 21 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 Incorrect Grease Trap Sizing Calculation
Using a generic online calculator or estimating based on fixtures instead of following the City of Memphis Stormwater Management Manual formulas. This leads to immediate rejection because Memphis requires calculations based on local plumbing fixture unit (PFU) counts and gallon-per-fixture values specific to your commercial kitchen layout. For example, listing a 50-gallon interceptor for a high-volume barbecue restaurant will be rejected—instead, you must calculate using the manual's PFU tables for each sink, dishwasher, and floor drain. This mistake adds 2–4 weeks as you must re-submit sizing documentation.
2. Uploading Incomplete or Non-Compliant Plumbing Drawings
Providing a simple sketch or a floor plan without a detailed, sealed plumbing drawing that shows the exact trap/interceptor location, all connected fixtures, and the discharge line to the sanitary sewer. Memphis Public Works requires a scale drawing that includes pipe diameters, flow direction arrows, and a note specifying the trap's model and compliance with PDI G101 or ASME A112.14.3. Applications with missing details like the cleanout access point location are returned, adding 1–2 weeks for a plumber to revise and resubmit the drawings.
3. Entering the Business Mailing Address Instead of the Installation Site Address
Filing with a PO Box or corporate office address when the permit is tied to the physical restaurant location where the grease trap will be installed. The Memphis One Stop Shop permit portal cross-references the installation address with the property's parcel ID and utility account. Entering '123 Main Street, Suite 500' (an office) instead of '123 Main Street' (the kitchen's physical address) triggers a data mismatch, halting review until corrected. This simple error can delay issuance by 5–10 business days.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit
ApronPrep auto-fills 17 of 21 fields from one compliance interview.
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Grease Trap/Interceptor Permit by City in Tennessee
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | ||
| Memphis | Not specified on page | Not specified on page |
| Nashville |
Government Filing Fees
Not specified on page
Timeline: Not specified on page
Obtain FOG application form from Memphis Storm Water Department
Download the official **Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Control Program Permit Application** from the City of Memphis Public Works website (Storm Water Division section). The current form is SWP-10. Most restaurants use this application to apply for the annual Grease Interceptor Permit.
Complete application with business information and grease disposal details
Fill out all 42 fields on the SWP-10 form, including your business name, facility address, estimated daily grease production, and your grease disposal plan. This step requires having your **Memphis business license number and water/sewer account number (utility account)** ready. ApronPrep can auto-fill the business information sections.
Install or verify existing grease trap/interceptor meets city standards
Confirm your installed grease interceptor meets the minimum sizing and installation standards defined in the **Memphis Storm Water Management Manual**. The standard is based on kitchen plumbing fixture flow rates. This may require a plumber to provide a certification letter. New installations must be inspected and approved by a city plumbing inspector first.
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 Tennessee.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Alcohol Server Training Certification
state
Annual Report Filing
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsProcessing timelines are not officially specified on the Memphis Water Services Department website. The timeline depends heavily on the completion of related requirements, especially the Building Permit. After securing your building permits, contact the department directly to confirm current processing estimates, as scheduling for the required inspection can add weeks to your timeline.
There is no separate government filing fee for the permit itself. However, costs are incurred through the design, installation, and inspection of the interceptor, which are required before a permit is issued. Always confirm with Memphis Water Services, as fees for related plan reviews or inspections may apply.
No. A grease trap permit is issued for a specific fixture and location. If you move or renovate, you must apply for a new permit. This often requires a new installation and inspection, similar to the initial process, and may trigger a review of your overall plumbing system under a new Backflow Prevention Device Certification.
The permit itself does not typically require periodic renewal. Ongoing compliance is enforced through annual inspections mandated by Memphis Water Services to ensure proper maintenance and functioning. Failure to pass these inspections can result in penalties, independent of your initial permit status.
A Memphis Water Services inspector will verify the interceptor's size, location, and installation comply with city codes. They check for proper venting, accessible cleanouts, and that the unit is connected correctly to kitchen plumbing lines. The inspector will also confirm that installation was completed by a licensed plumber, as required.
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 Tennessee specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 21 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
- Knoxville — Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Memphis — Department of Public Works (DPW)
This Form Is One of 60+ Requirements.
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