Translate this Page
Wastewater from food preparation contains high levels of fats, oils, and grease, also called FOG. City code requires that wastewater containing fats, oils, and grease be disposed down a drain that is connected to a grease interceptor. The grease interceptor removes the fats, oils, and grease from the wastewater before allowing it to flow into the sewer system.
If not removed, fats, oils, and grease can cause sewer blockages and backups. Sewer backups can threaten public health and the environment and cause damage to property. As a result, backups resulting from fats, oils, and grease can lead to enforcement with monetary penalties to property or business owners.
The City's Role
The Clean Water Act requires the City to set rules and regulations to protect the city’s sewer and stormwater systems and Portland’s rivers and streams. Environmental Services works with Portland businesses to prevent pollution in order to protect public health, city workers, watersheds, infrastructure, fish and wildlife.
The City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services establishes requirements for connection and wastewater discharges to the sanitary sewer system. City development standards for food cart pods, which is defined as two food carts or more, are outlined in the City’s Source Control Manual.
In 2023, the Oregon Health Authority prohibited the use of aboveground graywater (wastewater) storage totes. Carts and cart pods that would like to now connect to Portland's sewer system must follow development standards outlined in the manual. Below is a summary of the process.
How to Connect a Food Cart Pod to the Sewer System
- Research your property’s sewer availability and connection history. Use Portland Maps to review public sewer maps and to locate historic plumbing permits from Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D).
- Review the Source Control Manual for development requirements for dump stations, grease interceptors, and trash enclosures. Note: Grease interceptors larger than 500 gallons also trigger Environmental Services Administrative Rules – ENB-4.35 Monitoring Access Structure requirements. Food cart pods can request a variance for a simplified installation to meet this requirement.
- Create a site layout and utility plan. Include plumbing fixtures, conveyance piping, dump stations, grease interceptor, and trash enclosure. (See examples below)
- Check PP&D requirements and apply for a permit. Before submitting your permit application, you can request a free, 15-minute appointment from PP&D for permit, code, and zoning questions.
- Environmental Services Development Review will review the permit application to make sure it meets the requirements of the Source Control Manual.
- System Development Charges (SDC) apply for food cart pods (ENB-4.05). Sanitary SDC is based on type and number of plumbing fixtures (DFU) and is calculated based on the rate for Tier 3 Food Service – Food Carts. Stormwater SDC is based on the net change in stormwater billable area for the project (increase in impervious area). For this year’s rates, see current SDCs.
What happens after you’re connected?
Food cart pod wastewater discharges are regulated by Portland City Code Title 17, subject to BES administrative rules related to grease interceptor maintenance and extra strength sewer charges. Find more information and best management practices from Portland's fats, oils, and grease program.
It is recommended that you use a Preferred Pumper to maintain your grease interceptor. Preferred Pumpers will perform all required notifications of maintenance to the City’s FOG Program.