Reno’s Environmental Control Permit and Annual Inspection

Who runs it

City of Reno Environmental Control, part of Utility Services, “regulates all dischargers within the City of Reno” and, under RMC 12.16, “permits and inspects over 1,700 Industrial Users.” Office: 1 E. First Street, Reno; (775) 334-4230. The program is on call for hazardous spills 24 hours a day at (775) 722-4660.

What the permit does

• Issued to every FOG facility (12.16.555(b)(2)); Class II food users “will be inspected and issued a permit by the city” without a separate application beyond business licensing and building permits (12.16.620(a))
• Specifies your interceptor cleaning and pumping frequency (city handout)
• Normally runs 12 months; the annual fee for industrial users “starts at $182” per an undated city handout — confirm against the current fee resolution

What the inspection looks at

The interceptor itself — size, compartments, access, condition of baffles and tees; your trip tickets for the last three years; screens on fixtures; evidence of additives; and whether the tank is over 25%. Inspections may be “with or without notice” (12.16.555(a)(5)(i)).

How to pass it without thinking about it

Pump on the permit interval or sooner if the reading says so; keep every trip ticket; keep lids clear; keep enzymes out of the building. Our receipts are written to the code’s manifest requirement, and we note anything an inspector would.

Variances and appeals

A FOG variance “may be granted by the director for good cause,” with the burden on the facility (12.16.555(b)(5)); denial may be appealed under 12.16.660. The city’s Food Service Guidelines direct variance requests to Environmental Control at P.O. Box 1900, Reno, NV 89505.