Sarasota County established its FOG Program in 2020, creating structured grease management requirements for all food service establishments. The program sets distinct schedules for interior traps (30 days) and exterior interceptors (90 days), and imposes reporting obligations on both FSEs and haulers. These requirements work alongside state standards under Chapter 62-705 F.A.C..
Local Ordinance Details
The Sarasota County FOG Program is administered by Sarasota County Public Utilities. The program was formally launched in 2020 to reduce FOG-related sanitary sewer overflows across the county's wastewater collection system. All FSEs connected to the county sewer system must register with the FOG Program and maintain compliant grease control equipment. Grease waste haulers operating in Sarasota County must register with the county and pay a $200 annual hauler registration fee.
Pump-Out Frequency
Sarasota County enforces a two-tier pumping schedule:
- Interior grease traps: Must be cleaned every 30 days
- Exterior grease interceptors: Must be pumped every 90 days
These intervals are firm requirements, not suggestions. Facilities that can demonstrate consistently low grease levels through documented inspections may apply for a frequency variance, but approval is not guaranteed. The 30-day interior trap requirement is among the strictest in Florida.
Documentation Required
Sarasota County inspectors and program administrators require:
- FOG Program registration documentation
- Service manifests for every pump-out event (traps and interceptors)
- Interior trap cleaning logs with dates and employee signatures
- Quarterly hauler reports submitted by registered haulers to the county
- Grease control equipment specifications and sizing documentation
Penalties
Sarasota County enforces FOG violations through progressive penalties. First-time violations result in written notices with compliance deadlines. Repeated violations can result in fines up to $500 per day. Facilities responsible for causing sanitary sewer overflows due to FOG may be liable for cleanup and remediation costs, which can run into thousands of dollars. The county can also mandate increased pumping frequency at the facility's expense.
How to Stay Compliant
- Register with Sarasota County's FOG Program and keep your registration current.
- Clean interior traps every 30 days and pump interceptors every 90 days — mark these on your calendar.
- Use only Sarasota County registered haulers — verify your hauler pays the $200 annual fee and is in good standing.
- Confirm your hauler submits quarterly reports to the county, as both you and your hauler share compliance responsibility.
- Maintain cleaning logs and manifests for at least three years and keep them accessible for inspections.
Find a Service Provider
Browse verified grease trap service companies in Sarasota County to find registered haulers near your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Sarasota require 30-day trap cleaning when other counties allow 90 days?
Sarasota County adopted the 30-day interior trap cleaning requirement after experiencing significant FOG-related sewer overflows. Interior traps are smaller and fill faster, so the county determined that monthly cleaning is necessary to prevent blockages in the collection system.
What is the $200 annual hauler fee in Sarasota County?
Grease waste haulers operating in Sarasota County must pay a $200 annual registration fee to the county. This fee covers program administration and allows the county to track hauler activity through mandatory quarterly reports. As an FSE, confirm your hauler is registered before contracting their services.
Can I apply for a variance to extend my pumping interval?
Yes, Sarasota County allows FSEs to apply for a frequency variance if they can demonstrate through documented inspections that grease accumulation consistently stays well below capacity thresholds. Contact Sarasota County Public Utilities FOG Program to start the variance application process.