How to Verify Your Grease Hauler Is DEP Licensed

Under Chapter 62-705 F.A.C., which became effective December 7, 2025, all grease waste transporters in Florida must be licensed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Using an unlicensed hauler puts your business at risk of fines, and "I didn't know they weren't licensed" is not a valid defense. Verifying your hauler's DEP license is a straightforward process that protects your restaurant from regulatory liability.

This guide covers what the licensing requirement means, how to check a hauler's status, and what to do if your current hauler isn't properly licensed.

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Why DEP Licensing Matters

Before Chapter 62-705, grease waste hauling in Florida operated with minimal state-level oversight. Individual counties had their own requirements, but there was no statewide licensing standard. This led to problems:

• Unlicensed operators dumping grease waste illegally (storm drains, vacant lots, unapproved sites)
• No chain-of-custody documentation for waste disposal
• Restaurants unable to verify whether their waste was properly disposed of
• Environmental contamination from improper grease waste handling

Chapter 62-705 changed this by establishing a statewide licensing framework under the DEP. The regulation serves Section 403.0741 of the Florida Statutes, which specifically addresses grease waste removal and disposal.

What the DEP License Means

A DEP-licensed grease waste transporter has met the following requirements:

1. Application and registration: The company has formally registered with the Florida DEP as a grease waste transporter
2. Vehicle requirements: Their collection vehicles meet DEP specifications for safe grease waste transport (leak-proof tanks, proper labeling)
3. Disposal arrangements: They have documented agreements with DEP-permitted disposal or recycling facilities
4. Manifest compliance: They agree to complete grease waste service manifests (Form 62-705.300(3)) for every pickup
5. Insurance and bonding: They carry appropriate liability insurance for waste transport operations
6. Recordkeeping: They maintain records of all waste collected, transported, and delivered, available for DEP audit

The license is the state's confirmation that the hauler operates within the legal framework for grease waste management.

How to Check Your Hauler's DEP License

As of early 2026, the DEP is still building out its public-facing registry of licensed grease waste transporters. Here's the current process to verify a hauler's license:

Step 1: Ask Your Hauler Directly

Request your hauler's DEP license number in writing. A legitimate, licensed hauler will provide this promptly — it should also appear on every grease waste manifest they issue. If they hesitate, that's a warning sign.

Step 2: Check the DEP Website

Visit the Florida DEP's waste permitting page at floridadep.gov/waste. The DEP has been developing a searchable registry of licensed transporters. Check for:

• A published list of licensed grease waste transporters
• A search function where you can look up a company by name or license number
• Contact information for the waste compliance division

Step 3: Contact DEP Directly

If the online registry is not yet fully populated or you can't find your hauler:

• Phone: Call the DEP's Division of Waste Management
• Email: Contact the permitting and compliance assistance section
• Reference: Ask specifically about Chapter 62-705 transporter licensing status for the company name in question

Step 4: Check the Manifest

Review your most recent grease waste manifest. The hauler's DEP license number should be clearly listed. If the license number field is blank or reads "pending," follow up immediately.

What to Do If Your Hauler Isn't Licensed

If you discover your current grease hauler does not have a valid DEP license, take these steps:

1. Stop scheduling service with them immediately. Do not wait until your next pump-out — find an alternative now. Every service performed by an unlicensed hauler is a potential violation for your establishment.

2. Document the situation. Note the date you discovered the issue, what you found (or didn't find), and any communications with the hauler. This documentation shows good faith if you face questions during an inspection.

3. Find a licensed replacement. Search our company directory for grease trap service providers in your area. When contacting potential replacements, ask for their DEP license number upfront.

4. Notify your county FOG program. If your county has an active FOG enforcement program, proactively informing them that you've switched haulers due to licensing concerns demonstrates compliance commitment.

5. Review your manifests. Check all manifests from the unlicensed hauler. You may need to provide these to DEP or your county to show what happened and that you've taken corrective action.

Liability Risks of Using Unlicensed Haulers

The consequences of using an unlicensed grease hauler extend beyond simple fines:

Direct regulatory penalties:

• Your establishment can be cited for using an unlicensed transporter — this is your responsibility to verify, not the hauler's to disclose
• Fines range from $100 to $5,000 depending on the severity and whether it's a repeat offense
• County-level penalties may apply on top of state penalties

Environmental liability:

• If an unlicensed hauler illegally dumps your waste and it's traced back to your establishment (via manifests or lack thereof), you may share liability for environmental cleanup costs
• Cleanup costs for illegal grease waste dumping can reach tens of thousands of dollars

Insurance implications:

• Your commercial general liability insurance may not cover incidents related to using unlicensed waste haulers
• A pollution liability claim resulting from your waste being illegally dumped could be denied if you can't prove you used a licensed transporter

Business reputation:

• Health department citations are often public record
• Environmental violations can generate negative press
• Customers increasingly care about responsible business practices

Transition Period and Enforcement Timeline

Chapter 62-705 became effective December 7, 2025, but the DEP recognized that full implementation would take time. Here's the general enforcement timeline:

Phase 1 — Education and Registration (December 2025 – mid-2026):

• DEP focused on outreach and getting existing haulers registered
• Enforcement primarily through warnings and notices of non-compliance
• Haulers operating in good faith with pending applications generally not penalized

Phase 2 — Active Enforcement (mid-2026 onward):

• Full enforcement of licensing requirements expected
• Inspectors checking hauler license numbers on manifests during routine FOG inspections
• Penalties assessed for establishments knowingly using unlicensed haulers

What this means for restaurants in 2026:

• The grace period is ending — verify your hauler's license status now
• Don't assume your long-time hauler automatically received a license
• County-level enforcement may be ahead of state-level enforcement in some areas

Best Practices for Ongoing Verification

Checking your hauler's license once isn't enough. Build these practices into your operations:

• Annual verification: Check your hauler's DEP license status at least once per year, ideally when you renew your service contract
• Check every manifest: Confirm the DEP license number is present on every manifest you receive
• Contract language: Include a clause in your hauler contract requiring them to maintain their DEP license and notify you immediately if it lapses
• Backup hauler: Identify at least one alternative licensed hauler in case your primary provider loses their license or can't service you. Browse service providers by county to find options in your area.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What if my hauler says their license is "pending"? During the initial registration period (2025-2026), some legitimate haulers had pending applications. Ask for proof of application submission (confirmation number or receipt from DEP). However, as enforcement ramps up, "pending" becomes less acceptable. By mid-2026, your hauler should have an issued license number.

Can my restaurant be fined even if the hauler told me they were licensed? Yes. Under Chapter 62-705, the obligation to verify is on the originator (your establishment). While you may have grounds to pursue the hauler for misrepresentation, the regulatory penalty can still apply to you. Always verify independently rather than taking the hauler's word.

Does DEP licensing replace county-level requirements? No. DEP licensing is a statewide requirement that exists alongside any county-level FOG program requirements. Your hauler may need both a DEP license and any applicable county permits or registrations. Check your county's specific requirements.

How much does it cost to use a DEP-licensed hauler vs an unlicensed one? Licensed haulers may charge slightly more due to compliance costs (proper disposal fees, insurance, recordkeeping). However, the cost difference is minimal compared to the risk. A single fine for using an unlicensed hauler ($500-$5,000) far exceeds any savings from cheaper unlicensed service.