How many porta potties does my construction crew need?
A construction crew of 20 or fewer workers needs at least 1 toilet under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.51(c). A crew of 21 to 199 workers needs 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers. Most Edinburg builders order 1 unit per 10 workers so the weekly service keeps up.
| Crew size | OSHA minimum | What we recommend (40-hr week, 1 service) |
|---|---|---|
| 1–10 | 1 toilet | 1 standard unit |
| 11–20 | 1 toilet | 2 standard units |
| 21–40 | 1 seat + 1 urinal per 40 | 3–4 units, or 2 units with 2 services |
| 41–80 | 2 seats + 2 urinals | 5–8 units plus 1 hand wash station |
| 200+ | 1 seat + 1 urinal per 50 | Site plan call — we map units by building |
The legal minimum is the floor, not the plan. One standard unit holds about 60 gallons and fills in roughly a week with 10 people using it. See the full OSHA porta potty requirements guide for handwashing and distance rules.
How often are jobsite porta potties serviced?
Jobsite porta potties are serviced once a week as part of the 28-day rental price. Each service pumps the tank, scrubs the seat and walls, and restocks toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Crews over 10 per unit, or summer jobs in full sun, often add a second weekly visit.
Tell the dispatcher your gate hours. Service trucks run early, and a locked gate means a missed service. A text with the gate code or a lockbox number solves that. An extra service visit between scheduled stops runs about $75.
Where should the porta potty go on a construction site?
Place the jobsite porta potty on firm, level ground within about 15 feet of where the pump truck can park. Keep the unit off fresh fill, out of the concrete truck path, and at least 10 feet from trenches. In Edinburg clay, a spot that floods after rain becomes a spot the truck cannot reach.
- Face the door away from the street and the afternoon sun.
- Stake or strap units on open lots — Valley wind gusts tip empty units.
- On multi-lot subdivisions, one unit can serve two adjoining lots if the builder agrees.
Can you move the unit as the build progresses?
The driver can move a jobsite porta potty to a new spot on the same site during a regular service stop at no charge. A move to a different address is a new delivery. Call the day before the slab pour or the drywall delivery so the unit is out of the way.
Do builders need a hand wash station?
OSHA 1926.51(f) requires washing facilities when workers handle paint, coatings, herbicides or other harmful materials. Most framing crews use the sanitizer inside each unit. Painters, roofers using sealants, and crews on food-service buildouts should add a two-sink hand wash station.
See the hand washing station rental page for sizes and refill schedules.
Construction porta potty rental questions
Do you bill construction rentals by the month?
Construction rentals bill every 28 days, not by calendar month. The 28-day price of about $189 per standard unit includes one service per week. The rental renews every 28 days until you call for pickup.
Can you lock the porta potty at night?
Units have an inside latch only. Builders who want a lock can add their own padlock hasp. Give the code or a key to dispatch so weekly service is not missed.
What happens if the unit gets tipped over?
Call right away. A tipped unit is cleaned and replaced the same or next business day. Damage from wind is not charged when the unit was placed where the driver set it. Vandalism or vehicle damage is billed as described in the rental terms.
Do you serve new subdivisions with many lots?
Builders with several houses going up in one subdivision can get one account, one invoice and one service route for every lot. Units can move from lot to lot as houses close.
Can I get a unit on the roof or a high floor?
High-rise units with a lifting hook are available for crane lifts on commercial jobs. Ask on the call so the right unit is sent.