Free Used Cooking Oil Pickup in the Bay Area

Who regulates grease from your kitchen

What inspectors expect from a Bay Area restaurant

1. 1

   San Francisco: install grease capturing equipmentS.F. Public Works Code Sec. 140 and Sec. 140.5

   San Francisco requires restaurants and other food service establishments that cook food, and therefore send grease into their wastewater, to install grease capturing equipment, meaning a trap or an interceptor, under the city's FOG Control Ordinance. If you cook in San Francisco, this applies to you. Source: SFPUC FOG Control Program

2. 2

   East Bay: expect EBMUD interceptor inspections

   EBMUD inspects gravity grease interceptors at East Bay food service establishments, both inside and outside grease hotspots, checking operating condition and whether the pumping schedule is adequate. It can require more frequent servicing, and kitchens tied to grease blockages or sewer overflows must install approved grease control devices. Source: EBMUD East Bay Sewer System Management Plan

3. 3

   San José: service traps every 30 days, interceptors every 90San José Municipal Code Title 15.14

   In San José, grease traps must be serviced at least every 30 days and grease interceptors at least every 90 days. Kitchens that generate heavy grease loads have to service their devices more often than the minimum. Source: City of San José, Business and Restaurant FAQ

4. 4

   San José: keep pump-out records, or upload them to SwiftComplySan José Municipal Code Sec. 15.14.650

   San José restaurants can upload grease control device pump-out records to the free SwiftComply service. Completed uploaded records satisfy the recordkeeping requirement of Municipal Code Sec. 15.14.650, and your FOG inspector can review compliance without visiting the facility. Source: City of San José, Food Service Establishments

5. 5

   Sunnyvale: maintain an approved grease removal deviceSunnyvale Municipal Code Sec. 12.12.026

   Sunnyvale requires every food service establishment, and any user with grease-generating activities, to install, operate and maintain a grease removal device of a type, design and capacity approved by the city. Device contents must be removed as needed, and at minimum every six months. Source: Sunnyvale Municipal Code (eCode360)

6. 6

   Livermore: new kitchens need a 750-gallon grease interceptorLivermore Municipal Code Sec. 13.32.330(E)(1)

   Livermore requires all new food service establishments to install, operate and maintain an approved grease interceptor with a minimum capacity of 750 gallons. Existing kitchens must retrofit when doing modifications valued at $50,000 or more, or after causing grease blockages. Source: Livermore Municipal Code Ch. 13.32

7. 7

   Fremont: pump out grease devices at least every 90 daysUnion Sanitary District Ordinance No. 38, Sec. 2.02

   Union Sanitary District, which serves Fremont along with Newark and Union City, requires accumulated grease and solids to be removed by a certified waste hauler licensed by the State of California, as needed but not less than once every 90 calendar days unless the District grants a variance. Source: USD Ordinance No. 38 (Fats, Oils, and Grease)

8. 8

   Everywhere: only a CDFA-registered hauler may take your used oilCal. Food and Agricultural Code Sec. 19310

   Statewide law makes it unlawful to transport inedible kitchen grease, which is what used cooking oil legally is, without CDFA registration. Registrants must carry $2,000,000 in insurance or a surety bond ($1,000,000 for single-vehicle operators), and registration expires December 31 each year. Source: California Food and Agricultural Code Sec. 19310

Your used cooking oil options, honestly

Which agency covers your city