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Pearisburg enacts fats, oils and grease program with reporting, permits and fines
Summary
Council adopted ORD 2026-03 to establish a Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) program (Section 74-154), plus ORD 2026-04 and ORD 2026-05 to update related code references; the ordinance sets permit/inspection rules, a 100 mg/L discharge limit, maintenance requirements, and fines up to $2,500 per day for violations.
The Pearisburg Town Council on April 14 adopted a suite of ordinances to establish a municipal Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) control program and related code updates.
Vice Mayor Kristi Eaton moved and Councilmember Amanda Davis seconded adoption of ORD 2026-03, which enacts Section 74-154 into the Town Code to create a FOG program that includes: definitions of FOG, requirements that food service establishments install and maintain grease control devices (GCDs), a permit program with renewals up to three years, inspection authority for town staff, mandatory documentation of GCD cleanings, and remedies allowing the town to perform cleanouts and charge the user. The ordinance sets a numeric discharge limit of 100 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for total recoverable fats and grease as determined by the test listed in 40 CFR 136.3.
ORD 2026-04 updates cross references in Section 74-88 and ORD 2026-05 deletes Appendix A (Oil and Grease Inspection) from Section 74-294. Council approved the package 7-0; the ordinances took effect on April 14, 2026.
The FOG ordinance text also establishes enforcement tools including escalating fines (first-time noncompliance $100, second-time $250, subsequent up to $500 under one provision) and separate authority to assess fines of up to $2,500 per day or pursue Class 1 misdemeanor charges for serious or repeated violations; the town may discontinue water and sewer service for violators. Staff said these updates respond to recurring WWTP impacts caused by excessive grease and aim to standardize maintenance and reporting practices.
