DPW Sanitation Environmental Compliance

Review No:1

The Environmental Compliance Unit of the Sanitation District requires corrections to the plans submitted for review. In order for the plans to be approved the following items must be addressed:


1. Please specify the make and model of grease interceptor and required sample box. The interceptor must adhere to design criteria requirements and be made of a composite material. See general language below for more details on requirements.

2. Revise plumbing plans to clearly show each fixture that is routed through grease waste.

3. Label grease waste lines with “GW” to differentiate from other sanitary sewer lines.


The business must complete and return the Food Service Facility Wastewater Discharge Questionnaire. The document can be found on the Sanitation District website:https://sccsd.wpcomstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Letterhead-fillable-FOOD-FACILITY-QUESTIONNAIRE-07-08-2020.pdf

Please email the completed document to: dpwenv@santacruzcountyca.gov


The Environmental Compliance Unit must be contacted to inspect the grease removal device installation prior to final holds being lifted.


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Food Service Facility Operations/Commercial kitchens:

All food service operations in the County of Santa Cruz are required to have a grease interceptor or trap made of composite/vinyl material to remove fats, oils, and grease from wastewater emanating from the kitchen prior to discharge.   

Flow control devices must be present for applicable grease removal device so that the flow into the unit does not exceed the rating of the unit. Consult manufacturer specifications.

All kitchen and dishwashing area sinks, plus mop sinks, floor sinks, and floor drains must be routed through a grease removal device. 

Floor drains must be installed with screens that prevent solids from blocking the facility’s pipes and from entering the sanitary sewer. 

Dishwashers may not be installed at any time unless approved and must be plumbed to a grease removal device that has been specified as compatible, per the manufacturer. 

Sanitizers which have been approved for use must be plumbed directly into the sanitary sewer and are not permitted to be plumbed into small, interior grease traps, unless they are compatible, as specified per the manufacturer. 

Grease additives or enzyme use in grease traps or lines, are not permitted unless approved by the District. 

Garbage disposals are not allowed in commercial buildings.

All lids to grease interceptor compartments and samples boxes must be kept clear and accessible at all times. Landscaping is not permitted directly over grease interceptor lids or sample boxes; however, the surrounding area may be landscaped. If the proposed grease interceptor is set in landscaped areas, the lids must be set in concrete and raised above the ground surface to prevent sinking and to prevent the lids from becoming covered with any eroded soil.

All trash enclosures are required to have overhead coverage and protection from stormwater intrusion. Storm drains are NOT permitted in trash bin enclosures. Any drain within a trash enclosure must be connected to the sanitary sewer. The drain must be routed through grease waste if an exterior grease removal device is present.


The District must be allowed to review plans for the grease interceptor/trap(s) prior to issuance of a permit and to inspect the installation. 


Please see the following additional requirements per the California Health and Safety Code 114201. For questions regarding these requirements please contact County Environmental Health Department at (831)454-2022 


Section 114201. 

(a) If provided, a grease trap or grease interceptor shall not be located in a food or utensil handling area unless specifically approved by the enforcement agency. 

(b) Grease traps and grease interceptors shall be easily accessible for servicing. 

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), those food facilities approved with a grease trap or grease interceptor that are in operation before the effective date of this part are not required to comply with this section.