How many porta potties does a construction site need?
A construction site with 20 or fewer workers needs 1 toilet under OSHA Table D-1. A site with 21 to 199 workers needs 1 seat and 1 urinal for every 40 workers. A standard porta potty has both, so 60 workers need 2 units. Sites with 200 or more workers need 1 per 50.
| Workers on site | OSHA minimum (Table D-1) | Standard units that meets it | Our recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–20 | 1 toilet | 1 | 1, plus a hand-wash station if crews eat on site |
| 21–40 | 1 seat + 1 urinal per 40 workers | 1 | 2 if the crew works over 40 hours a week |
| 41–80 | 1 seat + 1 urinal per 40 workers | 2 | 2 units, serviced twice a week |
| 81–120 | 1 seat + 1 urinal per 40 workers | 3 | 3 units + 1 hand-wash station |
| 121–199 | 1 seat + 1 urinal per 40 workers | 4–5 | Split units across the site |
| 200+ | 1 seat + 1 urinal per 50 workers | workers ÷ 50, rounded up | Call for a site plan |
The rule is OSHA 29 CFR 1926.51, paragraph (c). It applies to every employer with workers on site. It is a minimum. Crews working long weeks fill tanks faster, so we may suggest a second unit or a second weekly service.
Use the porta potty calculator for an exact number, or read our plain-English OSHA guide.
What does weekly jobsite service include?
Weekly jobsite service includes pumping the waste tank, adding fresh deodorizer, scrubbing the seat, urinal and walls, and restocking toilet paper and hand sanitizer. The technician checks the door latch and vent. Service is included in every 28-day rental. A second weekly visit costs extra and suits crews over 10 people per unit.
- Pump-out and fresh blue deodorizer
- Sanitized seat, urinal, floor and door handle
- Toilet paper and sanitizer restocked
- Damage or tipping reported to you the same day
See how porta potty cleaning works step by step.
Do construction crews need hand-wash stations?
Construction crews must have handwashing available under OSHA 1926.51(f) when workers handle paints, coatings or other contaminants. Most general contractors add a hand-wash station for any crew that eats on site. One two-sink station serves about 4 toilets. A flushing unit with an inside sink also covers handwashing for small crews.
Compare options on the hand-wash station page.
Where should a jobsite porta potty go?
A jobsite porta potty should sit on flat, firm ground within about 25 feet of where our service truck can park. Keep it clear of material drops, crane swings and the spot where snow gets plowed. Avoid low spots that flood. Stake or strap units on windy sites, ridgelines and open lots.
- Pick a level spot near the site entrance.
- Leave a 10-foot-wide path for the truck.
- Give us gate codes and the super's cell number.
- Move the unit only by calling us; tipped units are a cleanup charge.
More in the delivery and placement checklist.
How does 28-day jobsite billing work?
Jobsite rentals bill every 28 days, not by calendar month. Each 28-day cycle includes the unit and weekly service. Delivery and pickup are charged once. When the job ends, call or text and billing stops on the pickup date. Contractors with several sites can get one account and one invoice.
See typical numbers in the porta potty rental cost guide.
Questions about construction rentals
Can you bring a porta potty to my jobsite today?
Same-day jobsite delivery is available when you call by noon for sites within about 40 miles of Salem, or by 10 AM for sites 40–80 miles away. It depends on that day's truck routes and may add a rush fee. The fee is shown on the quote before you book.
Do you service units on Saturday jobs?
Standard service runs Monday to Friday. If your crew works Saturdays, schedule the weekly visit for Friday so the unit is fresh for the weekend. Large crews can add a second weekly visit.
Can you lock the porta potty at night?
Units have an inside latch and can take your padlock on the door hasp. Give the service tech a key or the code, or leave the unit unlocked on service day.
What happens if the unit gets tipped over?
Call us right away. We return to clean, re-stock and stand the unit back up. A cleanup charge applies when the tipping was caused by site work or vandalism, so stake units on windy or busy sites.
Do you work with general contractors on multiple sites?
Contractors with several sites can run one account. Each site keeps its own service day, and you get one invoice with each site listed. Call to set it up.
