Construction Portable Toilets

We suggest placing your rental as early as possible in the warmer months when construction projects are busier or for larger projects that require a higher quantity of toilets and handwashing stations. 

However, there is typically no best practice here. Our team is able to secure rentals within 24 to 48 hours and can usually accommodate same-day requests. 

OSHA’s portable toilet requirements can be organized into a few categories: 

• Minimum Number of Toilets Per Person. OSHA mandates one portable toilet per 20 workers on construction projects or job sites. (Check the full breakdown below.) We suggest underestimating in cases where you’re on the fence.
• Accessibility Guidelines, including ADA Compliance. OSHA adheres to the ADA Standards for job sites. Any location with 20 or more portable toilets must have at least one unit that is handicap-accessible. Even smaller job sites must provide ADA-compliant facilities if they employ workers with disabilities. This ensures equal access for all employees.

• Sanitation Standards & Rules for Maintaining Toilets. Toilets must remain clean and sanitary, and be serviced weekly. During servicing, haulers should dump waste tanks, clean and sanitize the unit, and replace toilet paper. Some customers opt for twice-weekly servicing based on usage.
  

• Placement Rules. Toilets must be easily accessible to all workers during all shifts, located within 200 feet or a 5-minute walk from worksites. OSHA guidelines also require stable placement on flat, level ground — securing units to prevent tipping. Check for potential hazards during placement and ensure adequate standing room to avoid crowding near toilets. If you have food preparation stations on site, make sure toilets are placed at least 100 feet away.
• Privacy, Design, & Lighting Requirements. OSHA requires separate facilities per gender and an equal number of restrooms per gender. Toilets should lock from the inside and have walls high enough to ensure privacy. They must also be placed in well-lit areas or have proper lighting for nighttime use.
  
• Rules for Handwashing Stations. OSHA requires full portable sinks with running water, soap, and a sanitary drying method (like paper towels) at construction job sites. Hand sanitizer may only be used as an interim. 

This depends on crew size. Take a look at OSHA’s requirements below: 

• 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

Read more: How Many Construction Toilets Do I Need?

Although the exact size varies by manufacturer, the holding tank of a standard portable toilet is between 50 and 70 gallons, which can handle between 75 and 100 uses.

This depends on local regulations, the location of the site (public vs. private property), and the specifics of the construction project. 

In most cases, you only need permits if placing portable bathrooms on public property (such as sidewalks, streets, or parks) or anywhere that blocks public access. 

Always check with your local city or county government to confirm whether a permit is needed for your specific construction site.

Construction portable toilets must be serviced at least once a week. However, you might increase frequency (twice a week, sometimes even more) for high-traffic construction sites, larger crews, or in cases where usage is particularly heavy. 

Our team can discuss your projects and crew size to make a recommendation. (And you can always adjust your servicing schedule if you find toilets are becoming dirty or full before the scheduled service.) 

When placing your portable restroom rental, you should consider: 

• Your crew size and the number of toilets you’ll need
• The preferred portable toilet models, and whether you’ll need ADA-compliant toilets
• The duration of your job and rental period 
• The appropriate servicing frequency 
• Accessibility and placement 
• Additional features like lock kits or mobile trailers
• Site-specific considerations 

Of course, you also need to ensure proper hygiene and sanitation with handwashing stations. 

Having a restroom solution with wheels or a mobile trailer makes it easy to transport porta potties on a whim. You can quickly relocate toilets as work zones shift, ensuring that restroom facilities remain close to where workers are stationed. This also keeps construction workers happy and helps maintain high hygiene standards, encouraging regular use and proper hand washing.