Sec. 30-11. Grease regulations and procedures.
a.When waste treatment is required pursuant to this chapter, an approved grease trap or grease interceptor complying with the provisions of this chapter shall be installed in the waste line leading from sinks, drains, and other fixtures or equipment.
b.A plumbing permit shall be obtained from the Chief of Inspection Services/Building Official prior to the installation of a grease trap or grease interceptor.
c.Each trap, interceptor, or comparable device required by this chapter shall have an approved volume not less than that required by this chapter or by current standards adopted by Monterey One Water.
d.Toilets, lavatories, and other sanitary fixtures shall not be connected to any grease trap, grease interceptor, or comparable device.
e. Location of Grease Traps, and Grease Interceptors.
1.Grease Interceptors shall be located outside buildings, unless a finding is made by the Chief of Inspection Services/Building Official or authorized representative that the location of the building on the site or some other aspect of the use prevents an outside location and that placement within a building is not hazardous to public health and safety;
2.They shall be located and maintained at all times so as to prevent the entrance of foreign materials, shall be easily accessible for cleaning, inspection, and removal of intercepted grease, and shall pose no hazard to public health or safety;
3.They shall be located on private property. If this is found to be impracticable, the owner must apply for approval from the Department of Plans and Public Works for an encroachment within the public right-of-way. All encroachment permits for grease interceptors located within the public right-of-way shall be recorded with the County Recorder’s Office prior to installation;
4.If they are not designed in accordance with the California Plumbing Code, they must be designed by a professional engineer, must be consistent with the standards of this chapter, and must be approved by the Chief of Inspection Services/Building Official or authorized representative.
f. Related Equipment.Grease Interceptors shall be fitted with a minimum of two standard service access covers or manholes. Manholes shall be brought to grade and finished with standard manhole cover and ring with H-20 traffic load bearing capacity.
g.All discharging fixtures shall be individually trapped and vented in accordance with the UPC.
h.Grease pretreatment equipment shall be constructed of durable materials and shall have a full-size gas-tight cover which can easily be removed.
i.Grease pretreatment equipment shall not be installed until the type and/or model has been subjected to, and has fully complied with, tests acceptable to the Chief of Inspection Services/Building Official. Where an existing grease trap or grease interceptor is found to be compliant with the adopted Grease Source Control Program, such equipment will be allowed to remain in use. Whenever a grease trap or grease interceptor does not comply with the provisions of this article or the adopted grease control program, the Chief of Inspection Services/Building Official shall require corrective measures.
j. Prohibited and/or Restricted Equipment.
1.The installation and use of garbage grinders (food waste disposals) in commercial food establishments is prohibited, except where a grease interceptor is in use;
2.The connection of dishwashers to a grease trap is prohibited;
3.The use of enzymes or bacterial cultures designed to disperse grease is prohibited unless specifically approved in writing by the Monterey County Health Department and Monterey One Water.
k. Maintenance.
1.Traps and interceptors shall be properly maintained in efficient operating condition by periodic removal of the accumulated grease. No collected grease shall be introduced into any public or private drainage or sewerage piping.
2.Any grease trap or grease interceptor required by this chapter shall be readily accessible for inspection and properly maintained to assure that accumulations of grease or oil do not impair its efficiency or transport grease or oil into the sewer system.
3.All food service establishments or businesses required under this chapter to install and keep a grease trap or grease interceptor shall maintain a maintenance record for the grease trap or grease interceptor. This record shall include the date, the name of the person who performed cleaning and the disposal site of the waste. The record shall be posted in a conspicuous location and be available for review by the City’s inspector or authorized representative at each routine inspection and at such other time as necessary for the City to determine whether a particular establishment may be performing maintenance contrary to the provisions of this chapter.
4.In the event the City determines that a food service establishment or business required to install and maintain a grease trap either fails to maintain the maintenance record required by this section, or fails to maintain the grease trap as required by this section, the City may require the immediate installation of a grease interceptor.
l. Suspension or Termination of Health Permit.The City shall have the discretion to request the Monterey County Health Department (the City’s health officer) to terminate or cause to be terminated the health permit of any user if a violation of any provision of this chapter is found to cause a condition of contamination, pollution, nuisance, or other threat to public health or safety.
m. Request for Ruling.If an applicant for a permit or the owner of a grease trap or grease interceptor disputes the interpretation or application of this chapter, he/she may request a written ruling by the Chief of Inspection Services/Building Official. The decision of the Chief of Inspection Services/Building Official shall be final for all purposes. (Ord. 3684 § 9, 2024; Ord. 3446 § 1, 2010; Ord. 3424 § 1, 2009)