How Many Porta Potties Do I Need? And Are There Regulation Regarding Restrooms?

Restroom Regulations

The first thing to consider is what type of site or event will the mobile toilets be needed. The needs of a construction site and a wedding are quite different. There are National Labor Regulations and OSHA guidelines will affect the number of porta potties required on a job site. While all events, venues and business sites will be responsible to meet American Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.  will help determine the type of porta potty needed for a wedding verses a festival. Alcohol being served at an event as a rule of thumb requires a minimum of 25% more toilets due to more frequent use.

​According to the ADA all venues, business, and event hosts are responsible for ensuring that their sites comply with all ADA guidelines. In doing so. they must ensure all buildings and facilities have proper access for all individuals on the site. Included in this act are the use of porta potties for all venues and events which are outdoors. Below is an overview of ADA guidelines regarding restrooms to help ensure your event or business is in compliance

​ADA Handicap Restroom Regulations

Porta Potty Interior Size & Required Features

ADA compliant mobile toilet must have a large enough interior to allow a wheelchair to make a 180 degree turn. This requires width of approximately 60 inches. In addition, handrails must be mounted on the interior walls of the mobile toilet allowing safe mobility for all disabled users while inside the mobile toilet

Accessibility Requirements

The location of the ADA compliant mobile toilet must such that it is easily accessible for those in a wheelchair. Or those who have difficulty moving or walking. Placement should preferably be where the ground is flat and level or a very slight incline is acceptable. Avoid placement on a steep incline or hill and never place at the top steps, which would be far too difficult if not impossible for handicap users to access. The ground leading to the entrance must be flat and a ramp for wheelchair access must be provided if it is not.

Handicap Compliant Restroom Requirements

All Open to the public events and venues are required to have to a minimum of one ADA compliant Handicap restroom for every 20 restrooms at the site as well each separate location of restrooms must contain at least one Handicap restroom. This means that if all restrooms at an event are at one location, then you need one handicap for every 20 restrooms. However, if the event has restrooms at multiple locations, then each location must have at least on handicap restroom. All Handicap restrooms must be ADA compliant, and they must all have the international symbol marking it as a Handicap accessible restroom so that it is easily recognizable when trying to locate.

Number of Restrooms Needed for an Event

Determining the number of Porta Potties or restrooms that you will need for an event will require two pieces of information, the length of the event and the number of guest attending the event. Table 1 has been included as a guideline for events that have between 50 and 5000 guests and for events from 1 to 9 hours in length. The data in the table is for events at which alcohol is not served.

Additionally, you should expect the number of times the restroom requires cleaning to increase as the length of the event increases. During the pandemic we recommend portable restrooms be cleaned hourly in order to minimize exposure to pathogens for users and help reduce the spread of  COVID-19.

Events where alcohol is served will naturally result in more frequent trips to the bathroom for the guest that are drinking. The general rule is to increase the numbers required for the event by 25% when Alcohol is being served. Additionally you may need to clean the portable toilets more frequently as well.

                Table: Number of Toilets Needed for Y = Number of Guest at an Event ​Lasting X = Number of Hours

Table 1 : The Number of Porta Potties Needed for the Number of Guests Attending vs. Event* Length in Hours
​* Note - The number of porta potties should be increased by 25% if alcohol is being served at the event.

Whether its your first time renting a portable toilet or your a pro, our specialist will make is a quick and easy process and will ensure you get the correct type and number of portable toilets for you job site, event or venue. Just Give Us a Call Today at 775-204-4555