Palo Alto Municipal Code Part 4 Prohibited Discharges, Devices, and Connections

No person shall cause, allow, or permit any threatened or actual discharge or allow any of the following to flow or spill to any pervious area, street, or city right-of-way. Prohibited discharges include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Fats, oils, and grease (FOG), including any liquid or other wastes containing FOG;

(b) Grease control device contents;

(c) Waste oil container contents;

(d) Drippings or spills from outdoor refuse management areas;

(e) Refuse, liquids, and other waste from indoor and outdoor storage and wash areas and public or employee areas associated with a food facility; and

(f) FOG accumulations on rooftops of food facilities from rooftop terminations.

(Ord. 5672 § 2 (part), 2025)

(a) Plumbing lines and drainage fixtures located in bathrooms shall not be connected to a grease control device.

(b) No dishwashers shall be connected to a grease control device.

(c) No food facility shall install, maintain, or use a food waste disposer (as required in Section 16.08.110).

(d) Unless otherwise approved by the Director, no food facility shall install, maintain, or use any food waste liquefiers, aerobic or anaerobic food waste digesters, food composters, or similar devices designed or intended to digest biodegradable kitchen waste to be drained to the sanitary sewer system.

(e) A food facility shall not connect any fixture or outdoor drainage to the city’s storm drain system except with permission from the Director.

(Ord. 5672 § 2 (part), 2025)