FOG & Used Oil Rules for Florida
Florida’s plumbing code fixes one statewide benchmark: pump every grease trap at least once every 90 days or whenever grease reaches 25 percent of the interceptor. Counties layer their own permits and fines on top, so a kitchen in Miami-Dade faces different paperwork from one in Tallahassee. Start with the state snapshot, then tap your county for the dollar figures and renewal links.
Researched and Authored by:
Jorge Argota
Co Founder
View our resources of important information in regards to your restaurants for rules and regulations to avoid penalties.
Statewide Snapshot
Florida draws a hard line between grease-trap waste (wet, sediment-laden FOG pulled from the interceptor) and used cooking oil (clean fryer oil you pour into a barrel).
Used cooking oil: State code doesn’t mandate a pickup interval, but counties still check volumes; if your fryer output doesn’t show up in haul tickets, inspectors assume illegal dumping. Recycling through a licensed hauler keeps you off that radar and often pays a rebate.
Grease trap: Pump every 90 days or when fats and solids hit 25 % of trap depth—whichever comes first. The hauler must issue a manifest that stays on-site for three years.
Best practice: Save every pump out or pickup ticket right away, store three years of them where an inspector can see them in seconds, and avoid any login hurdles that would slow the inspection.
25 % rule
Pump immediately once grease or sludge fills one-quarter of the grease trap.
90 day floor
Even a spotless trap must be pumped at least every three months.
Legal FL Statue
Violations start under Florida Statutes Ch. 403; counties can add civil penalties.
Your County Rules & Regulations
Choose a county to see permit fees, dumping fines, and renewal portals.
Miami Dade
$200 FOG-1 permit, $65 renewal, and the county writes a $570 dumping ticket that doubles to $1,150 on the second offence; pump every 90 days or at 25 % capacity.
Broward
The annual Grease Certificate runs $120; dumping fines range $250 – $1 000, and inspectors check that traps are pumped every 90 days or sooner if they’re one-quarter full.
Palm Beach
No county fee—just the state pretreatment form—but an illegal discharge still draws a flat $500 citation, and the 90-day / 25 % rule is enforced at surprise audits.
Hillsborough
A $150 Grease Certificate keeps you legal; spill penalties scale from $250 to $5,000 depending on volume, with the standard 90-day or 25 % pump-out trigger.
Duval
Grease Registration costs $175 the first year and $75 to renew; dumping fines start at $350 and jump to $700 for repeat offences, all tied to the 90-day rule.
Pinellas
Expect a $150 registration and $60 annual renewal; spill tickets begin at $300 and double for a second hit, while traps still follow the 90-day / 25 % mandate.
Popular Downloads – Updated Weekly
The four files kitchen managers grab most—live counts refresh every Monday so you know what’s trending.
SPCC Template
Grab the free SPCC spill plan template fill it in, print it, and satisfy the 40 CFR 112 rule.
Can’t Find a Link?
Email info@greaseconnections.com with your county or request—our emergency response team will add the resource within one business day.
Last checked 16 May 2025 — next review Aug 2025