Why most Reno kitchens do not have one
Reno’s code requires a gravity interceptor and says hydromechanical units “shall not be permitted in lieu of” it. A grease trap can be allowed only through a FOG variance, where the director may “allow the installation of a grease trap or continue to allow the use of an existing grease trap in lieu of installing a grease interceptor where the grease trap is shown to be effective” (12.16.555(b)(5)). A variance can also require quarterly cleaning of your private service line. Sparks is blunter: “Grease traps are prohibited unless approved by the public works director” (SMC 13.30.020(E)).
If you have one, it needs attention
A 20–50 gallon trap behind a working line reaches the 25% ceiling in two to five weeks. Reno’s enzyme ban applies to traps as well as interceptors — “Biological treatment or enzyme treatment shall not be a substitute for the servicing of gravity interceptors or grease traps at the frequency required by the city” — so the only lever is the schedule.
What a proper service looks like
- All three layers out, walls and baffles scraped, outlet checked
- Refilled with clean water so the seal re-forms
- Dated receipt with unit size and gallons removed for the file
- A frank note if the trap is undersized for the kitchen — because the variance depends on it being “shown to be effective”