The City of Margate regulates all wastewater discharged into its sanitary sewer system in accordance with Chapter 39, Article III, - Regulation of Sewer Use and Chapter 39, Article IV - Requirements for Direct and Indirect Contributors to Wastewater Collection and Treatment System, of the City Code of Ordinances.

These regulations aim to prevent blockages, overflows, and environmental contamination caused by improper discharges—particularly fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from food establishments.

Under Section 39-32(a)(2) of the City Code, it is unlawful to discharge any solid or viscous substances, including grease, that may obstruct sewer flow or interfere with the operation of the wastewater treatment system. Repeated blockages in commercial areas have triggered enhanced enforcement to protect public infrastructure and ensure compliance.

In addition to local enforcement, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is currently undergoing rule development to establish statewide requirements for the regulation of grease waste and grease traps/interceptors. These rules, once adopted, will set minimum standards for maintenance, permitting, and disposal practices across the state. You can follow DEP’s rulemaking process on their Grease Waste webpage:

Grease Waste | Florida Department of Environmental Protection

To prepare for these changes and to meet current local requirements, property owners and food service establishments must maintain all grease traps in good working order, keep accurate cleaning and inspection records, and ensure regular maintenance is performed by a licensed service provider.

The City of Margate is proactively working with local businesses to ensure compliance and will continue updating the community as DEP rulemaking progresses. Non-compliance may result in administrative fines, service disruptions, or other enforcement actions as outlined in Section 39-35. - Enforcement,  of the City Code of Ordinances.

Requirements: Cleaning, Inspection, and Recordkeeping Expectations

To protect the City of Margate’s wastewater collection and treatment system, all commercial facilities, particularly food service establishments, are required to implement strict maintenance and documentation procedures for their grease traps and interceptors. These expectations are based on Chapter 39, Article IV of the City Code of Ordinances, which outlines prohibited discharges and user responsibilities.

Cleaning Requirements

• All grease traps and interceptors must be cleaned on a routine basis to ensure proper function and prevent blockages.
• Cleaning must be performed by a licensed grease hauler or qualified service provider.
• Traps must be fully pumped out during each cleaning—skim-only or partial cleanings are not acceptable.

Inspection Requirements

• Establishments must regularly inspect their grease control devices to ensure they are intact, operating efficiently, and not bypassed.
• Inspections may be conducted by licensed plumbers, professional engineers, or grease trap service providers.
• The City reserves the right to inspect any commercial facility connected to the public sewer system as per Section 39-34(e).

Recordkeeping Requirements

• Cleaning and inspection records must be maintained onsite for a minimum of 12 months, as required under Section 39-34(e).
• Documentation should include:
  • Date of service
  • Type of service (cleaning or inspection)
  • Name of service provider
  • Volume of waste removed
  • Any noted deficiencies or repairs made
• Records must be made available to the City upon request during inspections or compliance reviews.

Failure to follow these requirements may result in fines, enforcement action, or potential service interruption, as outlined in Section 39-35. - Enforcement.

City Code of Ordinance References

The City of Margate enforces grease control and wastewater discharge requirements through Chapter 39, Article IV of the City Code of Ordinances. The following sections are especially relevant for property owners and food service establishments:

§39-32(a)(2) – Prohibited Discharges

“No user shall contribute or cause to be contributed… any solid or viscous substances which may cause obstruction to the flow in a sewer… such as but not limited to: grease, garbage… residues from refining or processing of fuel or lubricating oil…”

This section explicitly prohibits the discharge of grease and other substances that could clog the public sewer system.

§39-34(e) – Inspections and Records Access

“Persons or occupants of premises where wastewater is created or discharged shall allow the city or their representative ready access… for the purposes of inspection, sampling, records examination…”

This provision grants the City the authority to inspect grease traps and review maintenance records as part of compliance enforcement.

§39-35(c) – Administrative Fines

“Any user who is found to have violated any provision… may be fined in an amount not to exceed $1,000.00 per violation. Each day on which noncompliance occurs or continues shall be deemed a separate and distinct violation.”

This section outlines the City’s right to levy daily fines for noncompliance, including failure to maintain grease traps or provide required documentation.

§39-35(d) – Emergency Suspension

“The city engineer may suspend the wastewater treatment service… whenever such suspension is necessary in order to stop an actual or threatened discharge presenting or causing an imminent or substantial endangerment…”

In severe cases, the City may disconnect sewer service to protect public health and infrastructure.

What property owners need to submit and where

To comply with City of Margate ordinances and to support proactive maintenance of the wastewater system, property owners and operators of food service establishments must maintain detailed records. Documentation must be submitted as detailed below only upon  request from the City.

What You Must Submit

• List of all grease traps/interceptors on the property (with location and associated business)
• Service provider information (company name, license number)
• Grease trap cleaning logs (including date, volume removed, and type of service) Grease Trap Maintenance Log Template
• Inspection records by licensed professionals (engineers, plumbers, or certified haulers)
• Records of any repairs or maintenance performed
• Disposal manifests or receipts from grease haulers, if applicable

All records must be retained on-site for a minimum of 12 months, in accordance with Section 39-34(e). 

Where to Send Records

Documentation must be provided to the City upon written request or during a scheduled inspection. You may submit electronic copies via email to:

Email: DEESAdmin@margatefl.com
Subject Line: Grease Trap Compliance

You may also deliver hard copies to:

Department of Environmental & Engineering Services
901 NW 66th Avenue, Suite A
Margate, FL 33063
Attn: Grease Trap Compliance