Marietta falls under Cobb County’s strict Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) program, which pairs a 90 day pump out benchmark with a ten day manifest filing rule. This guide unpacks those local requirements, maps out a first time owner checklist, and shows how to turn waste oil from a cost center into a revenue stream while neutralizing common pitfalls like spills and theft.
Table of Contents
Grease Is the Law in Marietta Here’s the Fine Print
Cobb County’s Grease Management Program governs every Marietta food service establishment and requires an approved interceptor before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
- Outdoor interceptors must be pumped at least once every 90 days or sooner when solids exceed 25 % capacity to prevent sewer overflows.
- Indoor, under sink traps fill faster and are typically cleaned every 14 days under county guidance borrowed from Atlanta precedent.
- Violations trigger fines up to $1,000 per day, plus recovery of cleanup costs for Sanitary Sewer Overflows.
Takeaway: budget quarterly service from day one; it’s cheaper than a single overflow citation.
The 90 Day / 10 Day Rule Decoded
After each pump out, restaurants have ten business days to email a completed state manifest to Cobb Water Compliance (FOG@cobbcounty.org).
Manifests follow Georgia’s standard form established under Rule 391 3 6 .24, and transporters must list their FOG number on both sides of the truck.
Keep digital and hard copies for three years inspectors ask for the past six at random.
| Action | Deadline | Who’s Liable |
|---|---|---|
| Pump outdoor interceptor | ≤ 90 days | Restaurant |
| Email manifest to Cobb | 10 business days | Restaurant |
| Retain records | 3 years | Restaurant |
Miss a single manifest and you risk a “Notice of Violation” that escalates to fines if unresolved within 30 days.
Designing a Future Proof Grease Setup
City engineers in Marietta prefer interceptors sited within 50 feet of a vacuum truck parking pad to reduce hose pull and spill risk.
During build out, submit plumbing drawings showing interceptor size (use our calculator link) and sample port plans without a sample port are rejected 90 % of the time, according to Cobb plan review staff.
Slope the concrete pad so accidental overflow drains back into the tank, not the nearby storm inlet field audits show this simple grade prevents 70 % of parking lot spills.
Manifests: Your Paper Shield in Inspections
Georgia’s manifest form tracks who pumped, what volume, and where it was delivered; Cobb auditors match volumes to trap sizing during spot checks.
Email delays are the top violation set a recurring calendar event for the tenth business day post service.
Cloud folders titled “FOG Manifests 2025” keep your GM and chef in sync during surprise visits. Restaurants on Delk Road who digitised manifests cut audit prep time from three hours to ten minutes.
Theft & Spills: Two Problems, One Back Door Camera
Used cooking oil tops $4 per gallon on the black market, feeding a metro wide theft ring busted in Cartersville in 2024.
Marietta police logged similar incidents near the Big Chicken interchange last summer, prompting many operators to add locking lids and motion sensor lights.
FOG spills craft a parallel threat: Cobb’s sewer overflow reports cite grease as the #1 cause of blockages.
Keep absorbent socks on site and document any cleanup on the same manifest day; proactive reporting often reduces fines by half.
Choosing a Marietta Ready Hauler
Only haulers with an active Georgia FOG number may serve Cobb County; the ID must be stenciled on both truck sides.
Ask for:
- Proof of $1 M liability insurance Cobb requires it for permit renewal.
- Automatic digital manifests within 24 hrs.
- Rebate schedule (10 to 25 ¢/gal) for biofuel grade oil.
One Marietta Square bistro saved $600/quarter by switching to a hauler that rebates and offers 24/7 emergency pump outs.
Turning Waste into Revenue
Georgia’s biodiesel plants pay for high quality yellow grease; when properly filtered, a 300 gallon haul can cover half the next interceptor service.
Track rebates on the manifest for a clean audit trail state rule 391 3 6 .24 treats grease as “controlled waste,” so payment records double as disposal verification.
Restaurants that advertise recycling on menus often win City of Marietta Green Business points, drawing eco conscious diners without extra ad spend.
Quick Fire Checklist
- Size & permit submit interceptor drawings during build out.
- Pump cadence indoor 14 days; outdoor 90 days.
- Manifest discipline email within ten business days; archive three years.
- Security locking lids + cameras cut theft risk.
- Vet hauler verify FOG ID, insurance, rebate terms.
- Emergency kit absorbent socks, spill log by back door.
- Print, post, comply your next Cobb County inspection just turned into a formality.
Internal Resources
[Grease Interceptor Sizing Calculator]
