Austin's 90-day rule, in plain English.
If you run a food service business inside Austin city limits, grease trap pumping isn't optional and it isn't annual. The city requires pumping every 90 days — or sooner if grease and solids reach 50% of the wetted height. Violations run up to $2,000. Here's how to keep the inspector happy and the kitchen open.
What the 90-day rule actually says
Austin Water's FOG (Fats, Oils, Grease) program requires interior grease traps to be pumped on a 90-day schedule, and exterior interceptors on a similar cycle depending on size. The rule exists because grease buildup in municipal sewer lines causes backups, overflows, and environmental violations — the city fines restaurants because grease upstream is cheaper to stop than sewage downstream.
What you have to document
Date of each pumping. Volume removed. Name and license of the hauler. Disposal facility. Most inspectors want to see a written log or invoice stack covering the last 12 months.
How AJ handles it
We schedule you on a fixed 90-day cycle. We pump during slow hours (overnight or pre-open). We leave a printed service record after every visit and email a PDF for your records. If an inspector shows up, you have the paperwork.
What happens if you fall behind
Notice of violation first, usually. Fines escalate. In repeat cases, the city can require more frequent pumping at your expense. The cheapest way to stay compliant is to not fall behind in the first place.