City of Houston
Houston FOG: Chapter 47 in plain English
FOG is fats, oils, and grease from commercial kitchens. Houston’s Health Department runs a special-waste generator program so that waste is pumped, manifested, and kept out of the sewer. This page explains the framing. The checklist is what to have in the folder on inspection day. Neither is legal advice.
What “generator” means here
If you own or manage a restaurant or other food dealer with a grease trap, Houston treats you as a special-waste generator. You register, keep the FOG permit current (typically annual with the food dealer permit), and hire permitted transporters — you do not self-haul FOG to the plant.
Unannounced inspections
Houston guidance: interceptors are inspected on a routine basis or after a complaint, with no notification. Investigators typically want the original FOG permit, yellow and white manifest copies, any waiver, and prior inspection sheets. They may also look at the trap, sample well, dumpster, and used-oil bin.
Rules can change
Houston Public Works and the Health Department have discussed Chapter 47 updates (including oil-and-grease discharge limits). Treat this site as a snapshot of public generator guidance, then verify the current Health Department page.
Common questions
Does Houston FOG apply if I am in a MUD just outside the city?
Houston Health Department’s 90-day interceptor rule is written for interceptors inside the incorporated city limits. MUDs and neighboring cities often have similar FOG ideas but different paperwork and intervals. Confirm with that utility — do not assume Chapter 47 copies over.
What is Chapter 47 in this context?
Houston’s Code of Ordinances Chapter 47 covers wastewater, including interceptor (grease trap) maintenance. Health Department generator pages specifically cite Sec. 47-512(b) for the quarterly full-evacuation default and Article XI for possible citations.
What fine range does Houston Health Department publish?
Public HHD generator guidance states citation fines can range from $250–$2,000 per violation. Ordinances and fee schedules change — verify before you treat that as current.
Where do I get the FOG permit?
Houston’s food-establishment FOG permitting is handled with the food dealer permit process (Health Department locations are listed on the special-waste generators page). Bring the account number from the food dealer permit.