Health Code Cheat Sheet · City of St. Charles

City of St. Charles Restaurant Equipment Requirements

These are the St. Charles restaurant requirements for opening inside the City of St. Charles. Opening in the City of St. Charles: county health plan review plus the city grease interceptor (FOG) permit, sizing approval, pumping and record rules, and the steps to open.

Print this checklist

Start with the federal Food Code equipment checklist and the Missouri Food Code guide. Both apply here. This page covers who you deal with locally and what’s different. For the health side, also read the St. Charles County guide.

The big one: grease interceptor and FOG permit

The City of St. Charles has its own fats, oils and grease (FOG) rules. They can decide your plumbing budget, so sort them out before you build.

• Every food service establishment must install, run and maintain an approved grease interceptor that is big enough for the business
• This applies to new construction and to existing restaurants being remodeled, changing owners, or changing how they operate
• Submit an Application for Grease Interceptor Sizing Verification to get a FOG discharge permit. Public Works has to approve the sizing before construction starts
• Clean the interceptor on the required schedule, or sooner once grease fills 50% of it
• Keep maintenance records. Missing or falsified records are a violation
• Grease in your wastewater can’t go over 100 mg/L
• The permit lasts one year, can’t be transferred to a new owner, and a copy must be kept on site

Steps to open

1. Call the county health department (636-949-1800) to start plan review.
2. Submit your grease interceptor sizing application to City of St. Charles Public Works.
3. Pull city building permits for any construction or remodeling.
4. Get your city business license.
5. Pass fire inspection for your hood and suppression system.
6. Pass your pre-opening health inspection and get your food permit.

Sources

• City of St. Charles Code: Fats, Oil and Grease
• City of St. Charles: Business Licenses
• City of St. Charles: Permits
• St. Charles County: Permanent Food Establishments

Questions about St. Charles restaurant requirements?

Call the health department listed above before you buy equipment. Getting your list approved first costs nothing and can save you from buying something that won’t pass.

Last reviewed September 2026. This guide is general information to help you plan and ask better questions. It is not legal advice. Codes change and inspectors have final say, so confirm with your health department, building department, fire marshal, and sewer district before you buy or install equipment.