Council directs ordinance drafting on grease control after debate between environmental groups and restaurants; ordinance approved 11–1

The Los Angeles City Council on May 15 directed the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to control fats, oils and grease (FOG) discharges from food-service establishments, approving the action 11–1 after extended public comment and council debate.

Speakers at the public hearing disagreed over the most effective approach. Steve Fleischley, executive director of Santa Monica Baykeeper, told the Council that grease blockages account for a large share of sewage spills and urged a requirement for grease interceptors, with limited exceptions for hardship or space constraints. He said the Baykeeper and regulators believe interceptor programs have produced measurable reductions in spills in other cities.

Michael Procio of the California Restaurant Association and industry representatives supported the Bureau of Sanitation’s proposal centered on best management practices (BMPs) as the first step. They warned mandatory interceptors could cost $20,000–$50,000 to install and impose heavy burdens on small restaurants; they favor BMPs with targeted enforcement and a requirement that facilities demonstrate they can limit discharges before being required to install interceptors.

Samuel Unger of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency submitted letters into the record recommending stronger requirements and greater use of grease-removal devices.

Bureau of Sanitation staff explained program details and costs: staff reported roughly 10,000 restaurants in the city, said they plan to target about 1,700 worst offenders first (restaurants within about 1,500 linear feet downstream of documented grease spills) and to reach roughly 2,000 establishments per year. Staff estimated BMP implementation costs roughly $360 per year per facility for grease-hauling, plus permit charges (a one-time application fee around $356 and an annual fee around $244 under existing fee structures). The bureau also explained that grease interceptors (outside, below-ground) generally cost $20,000–$50,000 and grease traps (under-sink) cost much less but raise public-health concerns because they require more frequent maintenance.

City staff said that, based on confidential revenue data, roughly 77% of restaurants would meet financial-exemption criteria (leaving approximately 23% that might need interceptors under a strict interceptor rule). Staff also reported that available public funding sources like the State Revolving Loan Fund and the city’s sewer construction funds are not legally available to pay for permanent improvements on private property.

Councilmember Ridley-Thomas moved to accept the report and proceed; he and others emphasized an aggressive education component, an initial BMP focus, and enforcement for noncompliant facilities. Councilmember Feuer and others requested additional follow-up analyses and presentations exploring incentives and financing options (including coordination with public-works projects, tax-increment or incentive programs, community development banks or SBA loans) while moving the item forward.

The Council approved the direction to draft an ordinance, with amendments to require monitoring and reporting: staff will provide evaluation results and quarterly reports after the first year and the committee will revisit the program if BMPs do not produce expected reductions. Final ordinance language will return to Council for readings after drafting by the City Attorney’s Office. The recorded vote was 11 ayes, 1 no.