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Council adopts FOG ordinance to limit fats, oils and grease discharges
Summary
The council adopted an ordinance and resolution to regulate discharges of fats, oils and grease (FOG) from food service establishments, require grease control devices, three years of cleaning records, and allow inspections and variance requests; staff emphasized education followed by enforcement.
The East Palo Alto City Council adopted an ordinance and companion resolution Dec. 3 to regulate discharges of fats, oils and grease (FOG) into the sewer system and to adopt grease control device variance findings.
Staff explained that the ordinance requires food‑service establishments to implement best management practices (following National Restaurant Association guidance in the staff packet), maintain grease control devices and three years of cleaning records, and allow EPASD staff or the district operator to access premises for inspection and sampling. A variance process will permit exemptions where installation of a grease control device is infeasible or discharges are negligible. Council members heard from a resident who urged robust enforcement and from local restaurant owner Gail Wilkerson, who said health‑department coordination is critical: “I just happen to own over 10 restaurants, and it is the job of the health department to make sure there's a grease trap in each restaurant.”
City staff and West Bay representatives said enforcement will begin with education and outreach; after an initial education period, the district will issue notices of violation and may abate persistent problems and seek reimbursement or liens where appropriate. The council adopted the ordinance and resolution and found the action exempt from CEQA.
