How many units do I need?
Start with headcount. OSHA 1926.51(c) sets the construction ratio: 1 toilet for 20 workers or fewer, then 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers once you pass 20, dropping to 1 per 50 at 200 or more. Farm crews fall under a different rule; OSHA 1928.110 calls for one facility per 20 hand-labor employees, reachable within a quarter mile walk. Events run on headcount and hours, not a fixed OSHA table, so check our event restroom rental page for that math. If you are still unsure, how many porta potties do I need walks through the formula with examples. A standard porta potty rental covers most crews; add an ADA accessible porta potty once you cluster units, since ADA Standards section 213.2 requires at least 5 percent accessible, never fewer than one.
Does Seattle require a permit for a porta potty on the street?
Placement on your own property needs no city sign-off, but the public right of way is different. SDOT's named permit covers storage containers and residential dumpsters, not portable toilets specifically, so that placement isn't verified as its own permit category. Confirm with the Seattle Department of Transportation before you set a unit in the street. What is settled: Seattle Municipal Code 15.04.010 makes it unlawful to use any public place without a written permit, and container placement rules require units to sit at least 30 feet from intersections, 10 feet from driveways, and 15 feet from fire hydrants. Our porta potty permit requirements and dumpster permit requirements pages break down what's confirmed and what isn't for each product. If you're renting a roll-off dumpster rental or a storage container rental alongside your toilets, that SDOT permit does apply by name.
What does the site need before delivery?
Clear the path first. A standard unit runs about 44 by 48 inches on the ground and stands roughly 92 inches tall, so give the truck a straight approach. Roll-off deliveries need about 60 feet of clearance behind the truck, which matters if you're also ordering a 10 yard dumpster rental or larger for the same job. Check ground surface too; ADA Standards section 302.1 calls for stable, firm, slip-resistant footing wherever an accessible unit lands, and section 405.2 caps ramp slope at 1:12 if you're bridging a curb. Our porta potty placement guide covers surface, clearance and driveway width in more detail. Winter jobs in Seattle add another wrinkle: with 91 days a year of measurable rain per NOAA, drainage and gravel pads matter more here than in drier cities. See porta potty in winter for cold-weather setup.
Should I book a standard unit, a deluxe unit, or a trailer?
Match the unit to the event, not the budget alone. A standard porta potty rental handles job sites and casual gatherings. A deluxe flushable porta potty adds hand sanitizer and a nicer interior for weddings or office sites. For guest counts that need real plumbing, look at a restroom trailer rental, sized from a 2 stall restroom trailer up to an 8 stall restroom trailer, with a luxury restroom trailer option for formal events. Pair any of these with a handwashing station rental; 29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2) requires soap and towels or a hand-drying device at washing stations, and hand sanitizer alone doesn't satisfy that rule. Painting or coating crews trigger OSHA 1926.51(f)(1) washing requirements specifically, so flag that need when you book. Compare daily and weekly numbers before you commit:
| unit | day | week | month |
|---|---|---|---|
| standard | $100-$350 | $130-$500 | $125-$325 |
| deluxe | $85-$1200 | $150-$290 | - |
| ada | $200-$400 | $240-$400 | - |
Weekend rates run separately from these; a standard unit weekend typically lands near $250. For anything longer than a month, monthly porta potty rental has the full breakdown, and porta potty rental per day covers short jobs. Renting near Seattle proper? Check porta potty rental in Seattle or our service areas page if your site sits closer to Mercer Island, 8.9 miles southeast, or Shoreline, 11.8 miles north.
How far ahead should I book?
Book 5 to 7 days ahead for standard jobs and 2 to 3 weeks for weekend events, since weekend rates and availability tighten fast. Rush jobs still get handled through emergency porta potty rental, but lead time gives you better placement choices.
Do I need a permit if the unit stays on private property?
No permit is needed for units placed entirely on private property in Seattle. The Street Use permit issue only comes up once a unit sits in the public right of way, per SMC 15.04.010.
How often does a unit get serviced?
ANSI/PSAI Z4.3 sets a baseline of one service visit per week for up to 10 users over a 40 hour week. Busier sites need more frequent visits; see how often are porta potties cleaned for specifics.
What size door and clearance do ADA units need?
ADA Standards section 404.2.3 requires a 32 inch clear door opening, and section 403.5.1 requires a 36 inch clear route to reach it. Section 304.3.1 also calls for a 60 inch turning circle inside.
Can I add a dumpster or fencing to the same delivery?
Yes. Seattle Porta Pros can schedule a temporary fence rental or construction dumpster rental alongside your toilet order, one delivery window, one site visit.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.