April 1, 2026
By Nick Jancovic · Einstein Plumbing USA
Opening a restaurant in Chicago means satisfying the Health Department, the Department of Buildings, and the Chicago Plumbing Code simultaneously.
Restaurant plumbing in Chicago involves multiple regulatory bodies. The Chicago Health Department sets requirements for sinks, hand washing stations, and grease management. The Department of Buildings enforces the plumbing code. Understanding how these align is critical.
Every commercial kitchen producing grease-laden wastewater requires a grease trap. Key considerations: proper sizing, accessible positioning for maintenance, and regular pumping records for health inspections.
Every Chicago food service establishment must have a three-compartment sink for ware washing and dedicated hand washing sinks in specific locations — not shared with food prep. These requirements affect rough-in placement from day one.
Commercial kitchen floors must slope to floor drains. Improperly placed floor drains result in standing water and health code violations.
Coordinate your plumbing rough-in with your kitchen equipment vendor before the slab is poured. The cost of relocating a floor drain after concrete is in place is dramatically higher than getting it right the first time.
Get a detailed, estimate from Chicago's most thorough plumbing contractor.
Nick Jancovic is the owner and licensed plumbing contractor behind Einstein Plumbing USA, serving Chicago and Chicagoland since 2011. Read more about Nick →