Porta Potty Placement Rules

Whether you’re hosting an event that will draw a sizable crowd or managing a major remodel, there are times when renting a portable toilet is an absolute necessity. Not only does it save your guests or employees from dropping what they’re doing to locate a restroom, but it also ensures your site remains clean, organized, and sanitary. 

Guaranteeing people are comfortable and happy onsite may seem like a lot to tout for a simple portable bathroom, but the necessity of a convenient bathroom is tantamount. And the proper placement of said porta potties is what derives its value.

That said, you may be less certain about the rules associated with a porta potty rental. 

Can you put a porta potty inside, for instance, or do they need to be kept outdoors? And where should they be placed in general? Read on for the details you need.

What is a Porta Potty?

A portable toilet—or porta potty—is the solution you need when a traditional bathroom or plumbing fixtures aren’t available or practical. This could be for anything from your daughter’s wedding on a desolate ranch to new building development. 

There are a range of sizes and options to fulfill your porta potty needs, the most common being:

• Single-Unit Portable Toilets – Single-unit portable toilets are precisely as they sound: The ideal space for a solo user. The enclosed structure can come with either a basic toilet and nothing else or be equipped with a flushable system and a sink for handwashing. Handicap-accessible single portable toilets are also available, which is essential if you’re hosting an event at a venue that’s covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).¹
• Restroom Trailers – Restroom trailers are a wise option for large events such as music festivals or long-term construction sites. Typically available in 2, 3, or 5-unit trailers, these stations bear resemblance to a standard bathroom and include flushable toilets, urinals, sinks, and lighting.

For the purpose of this post, however, we’ll focus on single-unit porta potties and the rules that surround them.

Where Should I Place a Portable Toilet?

Where you should have your porta potty set up depends on the location where it will be used.

Special Events

Whether you plan on hosting an event at a spacious location or simply in your backyard, each city and state may be subjected to different regulations. 

If food will be served, the Department of Health suggests placing portable potties as far away from where food will be served as possible.² Remember to keep discretion and aesthetics in mind: No matter how new, fresh, and clean a portable toilet might be, some deem them eyesores (and they may interfere with the overall look of your event). 

If possible, place them in a concealed area. For example, make space for them around the corner of the primary event space with directional signage to help guests navigate.

Construction Sites

Whether it’s a new condo development or a significant renovation, portable toilets can bolster time management and lead to higher job satisfaction. 

You’ll want to place your portable toilets keeping safety and accessibility top of mind. This means away from the primary construction zone and away from any falling objects or hazardous machinery.

What Are the Porta Potty Placement Rules I Should Be Aware Of?

Put simply, porta potties cannot be placed anywhere that will compromise safety and accessibility. Porta potty regulations vary from city to city, but as a rule of thumb, avoid placing a porta potty near the following:

• Emergency exits
• Fire hydrants
• Fire hazards, such as barbeque pits and outdoor grills
• On inclines
• Under trees with low-hanging branches

Additionally, while this too varies from city to city, nonscreened portable potties should generally be placed eight feet away from the property line and 50 feet away from an elevated body of water, such as a lake or a stream.³

Still unsure? The rental service you choose can help you select an ideal spot for your portable toilet if you’re unclear on what is lawful—or what makes the most sense.

Can I Put a Porta Potty Inside?

Whether you can put a porta potty inside will depend entirely on the company from which you rent, but here at ASAP Marketplace, the answer is yes.

Here’s one scenario out of many: Winter has arrived, and the plumbing in your new house isn’t ready. Rather than sending your family members into the frigid air to use the bathroom, they can easily use it within your home. (This will also help prevent the possibility of strong winds tipping your porta potty over.)

Two of the most frequently used areas for an indoor portable toilet are the garage and shed. This keeps your porta potty and its users shielded from the elements; it can also help keep your tank from freezing.

Other optimal indoor areas for a porta potty include:

• Any unfinished areas that can accommodate the portable toilet’s dimensions
• Underneath a set of stairs
• In a spare, unused room

The size of your indoor area will, of course, determine if placing a porta potty inside is feasible. Porta potty rentals vary in size and style, but a terrific option for indoor use is our High Rise Portable Toilet. It’s the swankiest option in the bunch.

Other Considerations for an Exterior or Interior Porta Potty Placement

Regardless of where you choose to have your portable toilet(s) placed, consider the following as well:

• Level, dry ground – Level ground helps keep portable toilets upright and properly intact. The ground should also be dry to ensure your guests or employees don’t have to track through mud, wet grass, or an excessive amount of dirt to use the bathroom. Paved and gravel areas are best.
• Good lighting – Good lighting will help you prevent accidents from happening and improve the experience for users. It’s especially important to have adequate lighting during night-time events.
• Safe and simple servicing – Porta potties should be placed in an area where they can be serviced easily. The Department of Health states that, at special events, portable potties need to be placed in an area that is accessible to maintenance trucks.
• Climate and weather – If you’re running a construction site in a hot, perpetually-sunny climate, you’ll ideally want to place your portable toilet in a spot of shade (if at all possible). If your porta potty will be used in an area that’s vulnerable to wind, rain, or even snow, aim to place it in an area where users will have some protection from the elements.
• Adequate space – Another aspect to keep in mind? Accessibility and crowd control. One of the quickest ways to spoil a lovely event is a horde of people forced to stand in an uncomfortable spot as they eagerly wait to use the bathroom. There should be sufficient space for people to line up to use the bathroom and move between porta potties with ease. An event that will draw a substantial number of people may benefit from more than one set of portable toilets situated in different locations. Similarly, if a portable toilet(s) is placed in a parking lot, be aware that cars will need to be able to move safely around it (or them). 
• Away from potential hazards – If you choose to place your porta potty inside, ensure it is not near any hazardous fumes. This may cause users to inhale odors through the porta potty’s ventilation system. 
• Odors – Scents from a porta potty can tarnish an event or make a construction site unpleasant. Be sure to pay attention to this as well, and if possible, place the porta potty downwind.

Does My Construction Site Need a Porta Potty?

If standard plumbing fixtures are unavailable for use by your employees, then yes.

OSHA—or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration—requires clean and accessible sanitation facilities for workers.⁴ In terms of porta potties, this translates to one portable toilet per gender for every 15 employees, but we recommend one porta potty for every 10 employees for a 40-hour work week.

How Much Do Porta Potties Cost?

The typical porta potty rental cost is manageable when considering the total events or construction costs. Here are the average ranges of prices offered at ASAP Marketplace:

• Standard Portable Toilet: $157.97–$177.97

• ADA Handicap Toilet: $299.97

• Portable Toilet with Sink: $299.97
• High Rise Portable Toilet: $299.97

Rent a Porta Potty With Confidence at ASAP Marketplace

Porta potties may not be a dinner party topic—but they can certainly be a huge relief at a large, outdoor dinner party where bathrooms are nonexistent or limited.

Whatever your circumstances may be, ASAP Marketplace is bound to have a sanitation solution for you. We provide portable potty rentals across the contiguous U.S. and offer superb servicing and competitive pricing. 

From portable toilets with sinks to large and luxurious restroom trailers, we have a wide variety of options to meet your needs. We also have barricades and fencing rentals—for when you want to stash your portable potties away from the “main action” of your festivities or offer your crew greater privacy.

Make sure your next job site or event is a success with our quality waste management services—and find yourself delighted with our friendly and impeccable customer service.

 

Sources:

1. Portable Sanitation Association International. Standards and regulations–portable sanitation association international.  https://www.psai.org/standards-and-regulations/
2. Rules of the Department of Health. Portable sanitation rule 511-3-6. https://dph.georgia.gov/sites/dph.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/EnvHealthOnsitePortableSanitationRule511-3-6.pdf
3. Code Library. Portable toilets; regulations. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/coeurdaleneid/latest/coeurdalene_id/0-0-0-5926
4. OSHA. 1915-88-Sanitation. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1915/1915.88