How Many Portable Restrooms Will I Need For My Event?

Whether you’re planning an intimate outdoor wedding or a large outdoor music festival, there’s one important question every event planner has to ask: How many portable restrooms do I need.

Our portable restroom usage chart gives a basic breakdown of determining the number of portable restrooms needed at a special event. Please keep in mind that certain factors may skew this chart. Below is a list of questions to consider when determining your final numbers.

Will alcohol be served?

If alcohol is being served at your event, we recommend adding an additional 15-20% to the total number of portable restrooms needed for your event.

Are you serving food?

According to state regulations, it is mandatory to set up portable restrooms and hand washing facilities in designated zones near food service areas, but not immediately adjacent to them. The specific quantity of these facilities depends on the rules established by the state, county, or local authorities. It’s important to note that food preparation and service areas may have specific stipulations. Hand washing facilities for these areas cannot be limited to simple hand sanitizers due to the requirement of maintaining food hygiene standards. For further details on these guidelines, it’s recommended to reach out to your local health department. In case you’re hosting an event with a more formal nature, such as a wedding, our deluxe trailers with elegant wood trim might pique your interest. These trailers are particularly fitting for upscale occasions where guests anticipate a higher level of facility quality.

Are there any additional permanently built restrooms available on site?

Take into account any existing on-site or permanently constructed restrooms within the event premises. Evaluate their capacity in relation to the anticipated number of attendees they can cater to. It’s advisable to assess the condition of the on-site restrooms. If they fall short of your expectations or are inconveniently located in relation to the event area, opting for portable restrooms would be a prudent choice.

Who’s Coming to the Event?

It is important to consider your guests when planning the type and number of portables. Kids, and especially infants, will have different needs than adults. If you have a large number of older people at the event, many of them might need more accessible restrooms. If that is the case, you will want to go beyond the minimum requirement from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and get more ADA Accessible Restrooms.

How large is the event space?

If event space is a problem for a large number of portables, then perhaps an alternative to reducing the number of portables is an increase in the service/cleaning of the portables during the day of the event. If the units are serviced twice during each day of the event, you can cut the number required in half. If the portable restrooms are serviced three times a day, you can cut it to a third. You may have to pay a premium for the additional services but when the choice is more parking for paying patrons or more portable toilets the additional business could be worth the expense.

It’s also important to note that our air-conditioned restroom trailers can substitute for up to 30 portable restrooms. Consider a combination of the two. A few portables placed near the trailers allow for shorter lines, especially for those who may have an urgent need! A few portables placed strategically near parking areas are always appreciated as well.

Our air-conditioned restroom trailers also make a great all-in-one package for intimate gatherings, such as a wedding or outdoor party.

Best Spots to Place Your Portable Restroom for Events

When placing your portable restrooms, it’s essential to keep functionality and guest comfort in mind. Use these tips to help you determine the best placement for your portable restroom.  The last thing anyone wants is for a guest to trip or twist an ankle on a rock, stick, or depression when exiting the portable.

Stay Grounded for Safety

This one is crucial. Placing your portable restroom on level ground is essential to the safety and comfort of your guests. Placing the rental on irregular ground can cause tipping and wobbling for guests – making for an unpleasant experience.

Near Concessions

It is usually best to have the portables in plane site.    Placing your portable restrooms near concessions is a concern unless there is some distance between them. Your porta-potties don’t need to be right by where food and drinks are being served but should be located within a short walking distance to avoid discomfort for guests.

Check the Weather

Is there a possibility of high wind during your event?  If so, we suggest placing the portables in groups, back-to-back, for added stability in high winds.  Otherwise, we recommend securing your rentals by placing them along a wall or other structure. This will prevent it from catching wind and shaking, or even worse becoming airborne! It’s also important to check for rain and ensure that the ground you place your portable restroom on won’t become a large puddle or surrounded by standing water if a downpour occurs.

Choose a Central Location

Who likes walking around frantically looking for a restroom? Likely, not your guests. That’s why you should look to place portable restrooms somewhere that can be easily seen and found. At the same time, you don’t want your portable restroom to be the focal point of your event. That’s why we suggest central placement in the middle and scattered along the edges of your venue.

Keep It Accessible

Accessibility is key to a good portable restroom placement. Not only do you want to make sure guests can easily get to the location, but it’s also important to make sure our drivers can deliver and pick up safely (without getting stuck, falling into an unmarked septic tank, etc).

Next time you’re planning an event, use these tips to ensure the safety and happiness of eventgoers.

Still have questions? We’re happy to help. Contact us today at 1-800-553-2213 and we can design a custom portable restroom plan that’s the right fit for your event’s needs.