Grease Trap / Interceptor (Special Waste) — Houston
Houston restaurants with a grease trap or interceptor must register as a Special Waste generator and have the interceptor fully evacuated at least quarterly.
Overview
Any food establishment with an interceptor (grease trap, oil/water separator, grit trap, etc.) is a Special Waste generator and must register with the City of Houston Special Waste Program (Houston Public Works), under Code of Ordinances Chapter 47, Article XI.
Section 47-512(b) requires every interceptor inside city limits to be fully evacuated at least quarterly (every 90 days) unless a Notice of Waiver is approved. Inspections are unannounced; investigators check the trap, sample well, and review records. Keep waste manifests on-site for five years.
What SpoonSeal tracks
The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.
Stay ahead of this requirement
SpoonSeal stores your documents, tracks expirations, and reminds you before anything lapses — so you are always inspection-ready.
Get started free →This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the official agency linked above.