OSHA’s Requirements for Renting & Maintaining Portable Toilets
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations can change without warning, and missing even one requirement can lead to hefty fines. To help you stay compliant, we’ve put together this guide with all of OSHA’s 2025 portable toilet requirements.
We’ve organized OSHA’s rules and regulations by category so you can quickly make sure you’re covered:
- Minimum number of toilets per person
- Accessibility guidelines (including ADA compliance)
- Sanitation standards & rules for maintaining toilets
- Placement rules for portable restrooms
- Privacy, design, and lighting requirements
- Rules for handwashing stations
Need portable toilets that meet OSHA requirements? Call us at 888-413-5015. Our expert team will plan the details of your rental — from deliveries and pick-ups to scheduled maintenance — to help ensure OSHA compliance.
How Many Portable Toilets You Need (Based on Employees)
OSHA mandates one portable toilet per 20 workers on construction projects or job sites.
Take a look at the full breakdown:
- Teams of <20 = 1 portable toilet
- Teams of 40 = 1 portable toilet & 1 urinal
- Teams of 80 = 2 portable toilets & 2 urinals
- Teams of 120 = 3 portable toilets & 3 urinals
- Teams of 160 = 4 portable toilets & 4 urinals
- Teams of 200 = 4 portable toilets & 4 urinals
- Teams of 250 = 5 portable toilets & 5 urinals
- Teams of 300 = 6 portable toilets & 6 urinals
- Teams of 350 = 7 portable toilets & 7 urinals
- Teams of 400 = 8 portable toilets & 8 urinals
- Teams of 450 = 9 portable toilets & 9 urinals
- Teams of 500 = 10 portable toilets & 10 urinals
OSHA regulations also emphasize prompt access, stating that workers should not face long lines or excessive waiting times to use restrooms. (If you’re unsure about the number of facilities needed, we always suggest overestimating.)
You can also find more information on the number of toilet facilities to rent in our post here.
Accessibility Guidelines & ADA Compliance
OSHA adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for job sites. The ADA mandates that any location with 20 or more portable toilets must have at least one handicap-accessible unit.
Even smaller job sites must provide ADA-compliant facilities if they employ workers with disabilities, ensuring equal access to sanitation facilities for all employees, regardless of physical limitations.
OSHA Sanitation Standards & Rules for Maintaining Toilets
Toilets must remain clean and sanitary and be serviced weekly*.
During servicings, haulers should:
- Dump waste tanks
- Clean and sanitize the unit
- Replace toilet paper
*Note: Some customers opt for twice-weekly servicing based on the number of users and frequency of usage. Our team can help determine the best servicing schedule for your needs.
Placement Rules
Toilets must be easily accessible to all workers during all shifts and located within 200 ft or a 5-minute walk from worksites.
OSHA guidelines also require:
- Stable placement: Place toilets on flat, level ground and secure porta potties when needed to prevent tipping.
- Hazard checks: Check for potential hazards during placement. These can range from potential falling objects to busy streets, fire hazards, or low-hanging branches.
- Sanitary distance: Keep portable toilets at least 100 feet from food preparation and serving areas to prevent contamination.
- Adequate space: Leave standing room around toilets so workers do not crowd facilities.
- Proper lighting: Ensure toilets have sufficient lighting, especially for nighttime use.
You can find more general porta potty placement tips in this guide.
Privacy, Design & Lighting
Toilets should be in well-lit areas or have proper lighting for nighttime use.
Additional considerations:
- Privacy: Toilets must have interior locks and high walls.
- Ventilation: Proper airflow is required for hygiene.
- Gender access: Provide separate, equal facilities for each gender.
Rules for Handwashing Stations
OSHA requires full handwashing facilities with running water, soap, and a sanitary hand drying method (like hand towels) to maintain hygiene and prevent health risks.
While many teams use hand sanitizer as a temporary solution, we recommend providing both options.
For job sites with hazardous chemicals, OSHA mandates eye-wash stations or body-drenching equipment within 100 feet of the work area.
You can explore more portable toilet rules and regulations at OSHA.gov.
Renting with ASAP Marketplace
Meeting OSHA standards for portable toilets is more than avoiding fines — it’s about creating a safe, productive environment for your team. The right sanitation partner makes all the difference. At ASAP Marketplace, we simplify the rental process to ensure you meet all OSHA requirements from day one.
Our expert team helps plan your rental, offering a wide selection of portable toilets and premium restroom trailers that meet (and exceed) regulatory standards while providing comfort for your workers.
We’ve partnered with construction companies, event planners, commercial businesses, and residential customers across 100K+ locations nationwide. We understand the unique challenges each industry faces with regulatory compliance and provide guidance at every step of the rental process.
Our team works with a vast network of haulers to secure competitive rates and accommodate last-minute (same-day) rentals, solving emergency sanitation needs in a pinch.
We don’t just deliver toilets — we deliver peace of mind. Call 888-413-5105 to plan your porta potty rental with our team.