You are a generator if you own or manage a:
1. Restaurant
2. Carwash
3. Lube Station
4. Laundromat or dry cleaner
5. Apartment Complex with 10 or more washing machines per section
6. Any establishment with an interceptor (grease trap, lint trap, oil/water separator, lift station, grit trap, reclaim etc.)
Obtaining a permit: All restaurants and other food dealers:
8000 North Stadium Dr, 2nd Floor
Houston, TX 77054
Monday-Friday
8 am - 4 pm
Phone # 713-794-9200
Non-food dealers (carwash, lube station, laundromat etc.):
7411 Park Place, Room 102
Houston, TX 77087
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
What to bring with you:
All restaurants and other food dealers: you will need $50 check or money order only and a copy of your food dealer’s permit is available. Account can be located by address or account number. Permits are valid only for 1 year from the issue date and MUST be renewed annually.
NON-Food Dealers: A completed copy of the application form and a check or money order only for $50.00. Permits are valid only for 1 year from the issue date and MUST be renewed annually.
Septic Tank Generators: Recent changes in the City of Houston codes of ordinances, Ch. 47 Article XI, mandates that all domestic septic tank waste generates are required to register their septic tanks before a city of Houston permitted waste hauler will evacuate the septic tank. There is no fee for a first time registration, but in the event the certificate of registration is lost, then a $25 replacement fee will be assessed. For a complete list of waste haulers please see transporter list. Commercial septic tanks are required to be permitted with an annual fee of $50. Septic tank application
Maintenance of your interceptor:
As of MAY of 2007 Section 47-512(b) of the City of Houston Code of Ordinances mandates that every interceptor located within the incorporated City limits MUST be fully evacuated at least on a quarterly basis (every 90 days).
When your trap is cleaned you MUST:
Inspect the trap and verify the trap is clean and completely empty before you sign the manifest
Make sure your sample well is clean
Sign the “generator” portion of the manifest
Make sure the correct capacity of the trap is noted on the manifest
Retain the white copy for your records
Remind the driver that you want the yellow copy mailed back on time and verify your return address with the driver
Make sure the truck has valid City of Houston registration decals
Note: In some cases, a generator can apply for a waiver from the 90-day pump out requirement and be allowed 180 days. In order to be considered for the 180-day pump out waiver, both the generator and their waste transporter must submit a Notice of Waiver (NOW) Application. This application will be reviewed by the City of Houston Special Waste Section and a decision will be made based on the application information and past compliance history of the generator.
Manifesting Waste:
Every time your grease trap or interceptor is cleaned, it is required by law that the quantity of the waste removed be “manifested” (documented) (Sec. 47-522). The generator must sign the top portion of the manifest assuring that all of their business information is true and accurate, as well as attesting to the fact that the entire contents of the trap were removed. Retain ONSITE the white and yellow copies of the waste manifest for 5 years from pump out date. The manifest is an official government document and must not be altered. Manifest Form Sample (.pdf)
Enforcement:
Non-compliance with the rules and regulations stated above can lead to the issuance of a Notice of Violation or citation for each offense committed. Citation fines range from $250 - $2000 per violation.
Interceptor overflow:
In the event your interceptor should overflow:
Block off the overflow to prevent waste from entering a storm drain or ditch
Call 713-640-4399 immediately
Call your selected transporter to empty the trap
Selection of transporter:
It is the generator’s responsibility to select a waste transporter that has been permitted to transport waste within the Houston city limits: Permitted Transporter List (.pdf) *
*This list is updated on a monthly basis.
Inspection
All establishments with interceptors will be inspected on a routine basis or if a complaint is reported. There will be no notification for inspections. During an inspection, the City’s investigator will need to be provided the following documents:
Yellow and white copies of waste manifests for the past 5 years
A copy of the generator’s interceptor permit
Notice of Waiver (if applicable)
Copy of manager’s certification
Copies of previous inspections
Transporters/Biological Pretreaters
Application review process:
Applications must be complete and all required documents submitted before vehicles can be scheduled for inspection. All drivers and vehicles must arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment time. In the event a driver is late, the appointment will have to be rescheduled for a later date.
Required documents:
Application with Transporter Fact Sheet Acknowledgement Form
Photocopies of drivers licenses for ALL owners, managers and drivers
Evidence of financial responsibility for each vehicle and trailer
A City of Houston Waste Transportation Permit Bond OR Pollution Liability coverage of $1,000,000
Photocopy of the Texas Commission On Environmental Quality Letter of Registration
In order to obtain a permit for pressure washing, all equipment (booms, mats and recovery systems) must be tested by the City of Houston to ensure that all wastewater will be recovered and storm drains are protected. Company name and telephone number must be on both sides of the company vehicle in 3” lettering.
Houston Department of Health and Human Serivces Bureau of Water Resources Protection 7411 Park Place Blvd, Room 109 Houston, TX 77087 Phone: (713) 640-4399 Fax: (713) 640-4388 Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM
You are now able to obtain a permit from the Consumer Health Office located at 8000 N Stadium Drive Monday through Friday 8-4. There is a $50.00 non-refundable annual fee. If possible, bring a copy of your current Food Dealer’s Permit for cashier’s reference.
How can I obtain a non-restaurant (grit, lint or oil/water separator) permit?
Non-food dealer permit holders can obtain permits in person at 7411 Park Place Blvd, Room 109 Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., or by mail. Completed permit applications can be mailed to:
Attn: Emily Chacon
7411 Park Place Blvd, Rm 109
Houston, TX 77087
What do I do about my citation?
You are able to receive fine amounts and court procedures at www.houstoncourts.org, by calling 311 or (713) 837-0311.
How do I submit a complaint?
To submit a complaint, you must call (713) 640-4399. You will need the exact address of the concern, business name if applicable and environmental concern. You are not required to submit your personal information.
What should I expect from an inspection?
All establishments with interceptors will be inspected on a routine basis, or if a complaint is reported. There will be no prior notification for inspections.
During an inspection, the City’s investigator will need to be provided with the following documents:
All copies of waste manifests for the past 5 years
A copy of the Generator’s Permit
Notice of Waiver (if applicable)
Copy of manager’s certification
Copies of previous inspections
During the inspection, your sample well, grease trap, dumpster, rendering oil bin, and surrounding area will be checked for proper maintenance and upkeep.
What is a grease trap/interceptor?
A grease trap is a device that prevents oil, grease and undesirable matter from being discharged into the City’s sanitary sewer system. It prevents any blockages or damage to the wastewater treatment facilities. Automatic dishwashers, 2 or 3 compartment sinks, mop sinks, and floor drains are the plumbing fixtures that flow into the grease trap.
Here is what it looks like:
What is a waste manifest?
A waste manifest is an official government document that must be completed every time your interceptor is cleaned. The generator must sign the top portion of the manifest attesting to the fact that the entire content of the trap was removed. The white and yellow copies manifest must be retained ONSITE for at least 5 years from the clean out date.
Can I pressure wash my driveway, side walk, or parking lot?
You may only use a permitted pressure washing company that has a current and valid permit with the City of Houston Health Department, and who is equipped to collect all pressured washwater and prevent it from entering the storm drain.
Who can clean my interceptor?
Your interceptor can be cleaned only by a waste transporter that is permitted with the Health Department. You may obtain a list of permitted transporters from the Forms and Documents section of this page.
How do I know if the truck that is cleaning my interceptor is permitted?
The vehicle will have current and valid waste transporter decals on the doors of each side of the truck and also on the back of the tank. The decal will show the company’s permit number, truck number, the classification of waste, and the current permit year. (See example of current waste transporter decal.) You may also ask to view the driver’s City-issued identification card for further verification.
What do I do with my old fryer grease?
Used frying grease must be picked up from your establishment by a private disposal company. FRYER GREASE AND RENDERING OIL CANNOT BE POURED DOWN THE DRAIN, INTO A DITCH OR DOWN A STORM DRAIN! There are several private companies in the Houston area that pick up fryer grease or rendering oil. It is recyclable. It may be placed in a rendering bin or any plastic or metal container with a lid for storage until it can be removed and disposed of. Please keep all rendering bin lids closed tightly to prevent any spillage from occurring.
Disclaimer
Information in this site was valid at the time of posting. HDHHS assumes no liability for damages incurred directly or indirectly as a result of errors, omissions or discrepancies. HDHHS is not responsible for the content nor endorses any site linked from this site. For additional information, please review the City of Houston web site Privacy Policy page.
The Special Waste Section is responsible for the permitting and regulation of all waste generators and waste transporters in the City of Houston.
