How Often Does My Restaurant Need to Pump Its Grease Trap in San Francisco?
September 5, 2025
Running a restaurant in San Francisco means keeping up with strict health and safety rules, and one of the most important is taking care of your grease trap. By law, grease traps must be pumped whenever fats, oils, grease, and solids fill 25% of the trap. You can read more about these requirements directly from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC).
Why the 25% Rule Matters
The 25% rule exists to keep your plumbing and the city sewer system working properly. Once grease and solids build up too much, wastewater cannot flow the way it should. This can cause bad smells, slow drains, and even messy overflows. Skipping service also puts you at risk of fines from the San Francisco Environmental Health Department. To see the exact FOG requirements in your city, visit our guide on FOG limits by jurisdiction.
How Often Most Restaurants Need Service
The right pumping schedule depends on how much food you cook and the type of food you serve.
- Very high-volume kitchens such as busy fast food spots, large hotels, or restaurants with constant frying may need service every week or twice per month.
- High-volume kitchens such as Asian restaurants or diners often need pumping every 30 days.
- Small kitchens such as cafés or bakeries may only need service every 90 days.
The most important factor is staying under the 25% rule, which inspectors use to determine compliance.
Why Regular Pumping Helps
Keeping up with grease trap service gives you several advantages:
- You avoid backups that can shut down your kitchen
- You stay in compliance by keeping grease and solids below the 25% limit
- You prevent plumbing damage and costly repairs
- You keep your kitchen cleaner and free of odors
At North Bay Restaurant Services, we also give you a FOG report after every service. This report shows your grease levels and compares them directly with San Francisco’s compliance rules so you always know where you stand. Learn more about how a FOG report works.
Making It Easy for Your Restaurant
We know restaurant owners have enough to worry about. That’s why we make grease trap service simple. We keep keys on file so you don’t need to be there during service, we send before and after photos for your records, and we alert you if your trap is getting close to non-compliance or needs a frequency increase to keep you in the clear. If you have fryers, we also recycle your used cooking oil which saves you money and reduces the number of vendors you need to deal with.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grease Trap Pumping in San Francisco
What happens if I skip grease trap pumping?
The trap can overflow or clog, which may cause wastewater to back up into your kitchen. You could also face fines for not staying in compliance.
Who enforces grease trap rules in San Francisco?
The San Francisco Environmental Health Department and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) oversee FOG compliance. Both agencies monitor traps to make sure grease and solids do not exceed 25% of capacity.
How much does grease trap pumping cost?
Most restaurants pay between $120 and $385 per service. The price depends on the size of the trap, how often it needs service, and whether you bundle it with other services like oil recycling. For a full breakdown of pricing, visit our blog post: How Much Does a Grease Trap Cleaning Cost in the Bay Area?
How can I tell if my trap needs to be pumped?
Warning signs include slow drains, bad smells, or grease showing up in sinks. The best way to avoid problems is to schedule service often enough to stay below the 25% limit.
Can I combine grease trap service with other work?
Yes. Many restaurants bundle grease trap pumping with hood cleaning, fryer oil recycling, or hydrojetting. North Bay Restaurant Services provides all of these services in one visit.
Schedule Your Grease Trap Service Today
North Bay Restaurant Services has been helping San Francisco restaurants stay compliant and worry-free since 1996. Whether you need grease trap pumping, hood cleaning, oil recycling, or a complete kitchen maintenance plan, our team is here to make it easy for you.
📞 Call us at (707) 824-9737 or visit North Bay Restaurant Services to schedule your grease trap service in San Francisco today.
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only. Please confirm specific requirements with the SFPUC or the San Francisco Public Works Code §140.7(b).
Written by Brittney Bailey
Director, North Bay Restaurant Services
Since 2016, Brittney has led the administrative and customer service operations at North Bay Restaurant Services, supporting thousands of commercial kitchens across the Bay Area. She specializes in coordinating service for high-volume restaurants, hotels, and fine dining establishments—where timing, cleanliness, and compliance are non-negotiable. Brittney prides herself on delivering concierge-level customer service in an industry not known for it, bringing Michelin-level attention and professionalism to every account.
