Grease Trap Definitions

Note: The below definitions are for illustrative purposes only.  To properly interpret the Ordinance view section 1-3 of the City of Tampa Code.

Building Drain

That part of the lowest piping of a drainage system that receives the discharge from soil, waste and other drainage pipes inside and that extends 30 inches (762 mm) in developed length of pipe beyond the exterior walls of the building and conveys the drainage to the building sewer.

Director

The Director of the Wastewater Department or his or her designee.

Disposal

The depositing of solid waste at a city owned, operated or approved solid waste facility, including, but not limited to, incinerators, landfills, transfer stations, brush sites and other similar facilities so designated by the director of the department of solid waste. 

Food Service Facility

Food service facility or facility means any business or food service facility which prepares and/or packages food or beverages for sale or consumption. This does not apply to private residences. Food service facilities may include, but are not limited to, food courts, food manufacturers, food packagers, restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, lounges, meat markets, hospitals, hotels, nursing homes, churches, schools, cafeterias, delicatessens, coffee shops, concession stands and all other food service facilities not specifically listed above.

Food service facility owner or owner: In the case of individual food service facilities, the owner or proprietor of the food service facility. Where the facility is a franchise operation, the owner of the franchise is the responsible person or entity. Where the facility is owned by a partnership, corporation, or other type of business entity, the individual who is authorized to legally act on behalf of the business entity under Florida State law shall be the responsible person. Where two or more food service facilities share a common grease interceptor, the owner shall be the individual who owns or assumes control of the grease interceptor or the property on which the grease interceptor is located. Owner shall also mean his or her duly authorized representatives, employees or agents.

Garbage

Every refuse accumulation of animal, fruit or vegetable matter that is attendant to the preparation, use, cooking and dealing in or storage of edibles and any other matter of any nature whatsoever, which is subject to decay, putrefaction and the generation of noxious or offensive gasses or odors or which, during or after decay, may serve as breeding or feeding material for flies or other germ-carrying insects or animals, or any container of the material defined herein. 

GMP inspector

A member of the staff of the City's Grease Management Program, designated by the Director to enforce the City of Tampa Grease Management Ordinance.

Gray water

All liquid contained in a grease interceptor that lies below the floating grease layer and above the food solids layer.

Grease

A material either liquid or solid, composed primarily of fats, oils or grease from animal or vegetable sources.

Grease hauler

A person who collects the contents of a grease interceptor or trap and transports it to an approved recycling or disposal facility.

Grease interceptor

An interceptor whose rated flow exceeds 50gpm or has a minimum storage capacity of 750 gallons or more and is a device located underground and outside of a facility. It is designed to collect, contain or remove food wastes or grease from the wastewater while allowing the balance of the liquid waste to discharge to the wastewater collection system by gravity.

Grease trap

An interceptor whose rated flow is 50gpm or less and is a device located inside a facility and/or under a sink designed to collect, contain, or remove food wastes and grease from the wastewater while allowing the balance of the liquid waste to discharge to the wastewater collection system by gravity.

Notice of Violation (NOV)

A written notice informing a food service facility owner or grease hauler that a violation of the City of Tampa Grease Management Ordinance has occurred.

Registered hauler

A grease hauler registered with the City of Tampa in accordance with this article who is authorized to perform inspection, cleaning, and grease disposal for food service facilities.
Sanitary facilities: Bathrooms, bathroom fixtures, bathroom groups, hand sinks or other similar fixtures or facilities.
Treatment Works: Any plant, pipeline system, facility or property used or useful or having the present capacity for future use in connection with the collection, treatment, purification or disposal of sewage and without limiting the generality of the foregoing shall include existing sewers, sewer improvements, intercepting and trunk sewers, river and channel crossings, pumping stations and force mains, the sewage treatment plant or plants, outfalls and all necessary appurtenances and equipment, including all extensions and improvements thereto, and shall include all property, rights, easements and franchises relating to any such work deemed necessary or convenient for the operation thereof. The term "treatment works" is synonymous with and replaces the term "sewer system" and, as such, includes the sewage disposal system, the sewer improvements and the existing sewers all as used and defined in antecedent documents.