The Short Answer
Every commercial food and beverage (F&B) operation connected to the Dubai municipal drainage network is legally required to install a DM-approved grease interceptor and have it professionally cleaned at regulated intervals. There are no exemptions based on kitchen size, meal volume, menu type, or operating hours.
This requirement is set by Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Department under DM Technical Guideline No. 13 and applies from the day your food licence is issued. For common compliance questions, see our grease trap FAQs.
Business Types Required to Have a Grease Trap
| Business Type | Grease Trap Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service restaurant | Yes | All sizes, all cuisine types |
| Fast food / QSR outlet | Yes | Higher FOG output — often requires larger unit |
| Cafe / juice bar / bakery | Yes | No exemption for low-volume operations |
| Cloud kitchen | Yes | Monthly cleaning typically required regardless of meal count |
| Hotel main and secondary kitchens | Yes | Large in-ground interceptors usually required. See grease trap solutions for UAE resorts |
| Food court stall | Yes | May share a central interceptor — confirm with building management |
| School and university canteen | Yes | Treated as a commercial kitchen for compliance purposes |
| Hospital cafeteria | Yes | Health authority and DM requirements both apply |
| Catering and events kitchen | Yes | Cleaning required after each major event |
| Supermarket deli / bakery counter | Yes | Any FOG discharge requires interception |
| Petrol station convenience store with kitchen | Yes | Subject to the same DM rules as a standalone cafe |
| Residential household | No (typically) | Not required unless the property has a commercial kitchen element |
What About Food Trucks and Mobile Kitchens?
Mobile food operations — food trucks, pop-up kitchens, catering vehicles — are regulated differently depending on how their wastewater is discharged. If the vehicle connects to a fixed drainage point at a permanent pitch, the same DM requirements apply and a grease interceptor (or hydromechanical unit) must be installed at that connection. Vehicles that hold all wastewater on-board and use a licensed waste collection service are assessed on a case-by-case basis during the DM food licence application process.
What About Building-Level Interceptors in Malls and Food Courts?
Some large developments install a central grease interceptor that serves multiple tenants via a shared drainage manifold. In this case, the building management is responsible for the central unit — but individual tenants may still be required to install under-sink units to pre-treat FOG before it reaches the central system. Always verify with your building management and request a written confirmation of the shared interceptor’s DM compliance status before trading.
New Kitchen Openings: Getting Compliant Before Day One
For new F&B operations, the grease trap installation and first cleaning certificate must be completed before Dubai Municipality will issue or renew a food licence. GTC handles the full process — including the DM permit application, supply and installation, and first-service certificate — as a single package. Learn how to avoid costly mistakes when buying a grease trap. For stainless steel options, see how a stainless steel grease trap improves kitchen safety.
How Often Does My Business Need to Clean?
Cleaning frequency depends on your kitchen type and meal volume. High-volume kitchens (200+ meals/day) must clean monthly; low-volume operations clean quarterly. Between pump-outs, a bio-dosing system helps break down residual FOG and reduce odours. Read about the benefits of regular grease trap maintenance and visit our services page for details on scheduled maintenance contracts across all seven UAE emirates.
Call GTC to Confirm Your Requirements
If you’re unsure whether your specific operation requires a grease trap — or what size and cleaning frequency applies — GTC’s compliance team can advise based on your kitchen type, location, and meal volume. Call +971 58 570 7110 for a free assessment.