When Stockton Requires a Grease Interceptor

The triggers

• Construction, remodel, or change in operations — every FSE must then “install, operate and maintain a grease interceptor” sized to the current California Plumbing Code.
• Change of ownership — the new owner installs or obtains a waiver.
• Hot-spot or blockage notice — an existing FSE that caused or contributed to a grease blockage, or whose lateral connects to a pipeline on the city’s “hot spot” list, must install within 180 days of written notice.

What counts as a “remodel”

The chapter defines it: under-slab plumbing work in the food-prep area; a 30% or greater increase in net public seating; a 30% or greater increase in kitchen area; any change in the size or type of food-preparation equipment; or any remodel, addition, alteration or repair valued over $75,000. Swapping a flat-top for a fryer line is a change in equipment type. Plan the interceptor conversation before the equipment order, not after the inspection.

What the unit has to be

Sized and built to the current California Plumbing Code, minimum two compartments, a 24-inch access manhole over each chamber and each sanitary tee, with fixtures and drain lines from food-prep and clean-up areas connected — and the dishwasher not connected. Abandoned interceptors must be emptied and filled like an abandoned septic tank.

The waiver (Sec. 13.40.130)

Where installing an interceptor in an existing structure “is not feasible,” the FSE or property owner may receive a conditional waiver — on payment of an annual grease disposal mitigation fee under Sec. 13.40.180, which reimburses the city for extra sewer maintenance. The fee is a formula built on crew and truck hourly rates, the number of affected line segments, and cleanings per year. A waiver is not an exemption from the rest of the chapter; prohibitions, records and inspections still apply.