Commercial tenants and property owners are encouraged to contact the City’s Application Services Team at Application Services Tacoma Permits or via email at appservices@cityoftacoma.org to determine the grease interceptor requirements for their intended business. This allows them to assess the necessary improvements and associated costs before signing a lease or purchasing a property.

Additional information can be found at:

• Grease Interceptor Sizing and Installation Guidelines
• Planning and Development Services Tip Sheet
• Best Management Practices for Restaurants (PW/ES Handout)
• Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Opening or Operating a Food Business 

Tacoma offers several resources to help business and property owners navigate the process of finding and establishing a location for their business:

Knowledgeable Staff: The City’s Economic Development and Planning Departments, along with other service touchpoints like Environmental Services and Tax and License, can provide guidance on resources, regulations, and requirements.

Early Engagement: We encourage business owners to connect with our Community and Economic Development staff as early as possible to ensure a smooth process when establishing or expanding a business.

Make It Tacoma Website: Visit the Make It Tacoma for information on incentives, real estate opportunities, and other resources.

Direct Support: For personalized assistance, call (253) 591-5364 to speak with a member of our Community and Economic Development team.

Proactively reaching out can help ensure you have all the information you need to establish or expand your restaurant in Tacoma.

The City’s current grease regulations were established in 2016 and are based on the Uniform Plumbing Code. In response to feedback from City Council Members, staff are currently reviewing these regulations and the Uniform Plumbing Code to explore potential alternative approaches and determine what updates may be feasible in the future.

Federal: Code of Federal Regulations 403.5 B3: Solid or Viscous substances are prohibited in the sewer system.

State: Washington Administrative Code:  WAC 173-216-060 Prohibited Discharges: (2)(B) (iii) Solid or viscous substances which may cause obstruction to the flow in a sewer or other interference with the operation of the system.

Local (Tacoma Municipal Code)

• TMC Subchapter 12.08B.500 5. Discharging any solid or viscous substance capable of obstructing wastewater which will or may cause obstruction to the flow of wastewater or other interference with the operations of the POTW. 
• TMC Subchapter 12.08C.100 9. Wastewater which contains grease or oil or any other substances that will solidify or become discernibly viscous at temperatures between thirty-two degrees (32°) Fahrenheit (0° Celsius) and one hundred fifty degrees (150°) Fahrenheit (65.5° Celsius); 
• TMC Subchapter 12.08C.500 2.  Food service establishments shall not discharge or cause to be discharged any wastewater in violation of 12.08C.100.
• TMC Subchapter 12.08C.500A 1. Unless otherwise approved by the Control Authority, food service establishments shall install, and properly operate and maintain, a grease removal device in compliance with the requirements as set forth in this chapter, the Uniform Plumbing Code and the City’s Side Sewer and Sanitary Sewer Availability Manual, as adopted and amended by the City

This ordinance would apply to all purveyors of commercial real estate intended for food- or beverage-related businesses, including sellers, brokers, agents, and property managers. It would require the disclosure of information through an educational flyer created by the City of Tacoma. The flyer would outline potential requirements for installing or upgrading a grease interceptor system to meet current environmental standards, as approved by the City of Tacoma’s Planning and Development Services Permitting Department. This information must be provided to potential lessees or buyers before signing a lease agreement or completing the purchase of the property.

• If Ordinance 29015 is adopted, Environmental Services staff will take the lead in creating the educational flyer.
• Once finalized, the flyer will be distributed to all registered real estate brokers and property managers within the City of Tacoma to inform them of this new requirement. A downloadable version of the flyer will also be made available on the City of Tacoma’s website.
• City staff will continue collaborating with City Council and other stakeholders to explore updates to existing policies.