How much room does a porta potty need?
A standard porta potty needs a spot about 4 feet wide and 4 feet deep, plus room for the door to swing open. The PolyJohn PJN3 is 43.5 inches wide, 47 inches deep and 91 inches tall. Leave about 8 feet of clear height so tree limbs and eaves do not scrape the roof.
| Unit | Width | Depth | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard porta potty | 43.5 in | 47 in | 91 in |
| Deluxe flushing with sink | 47 in | 48 in | 91 in |
| Wheelchair-accessible unit | 62 in | 62 in | 91 in |
| Two-station hand wash sink | 26.5 in | 21.5 in | 62 in |
Accessible units also need a level, firm approach so a wheelchair can roll in. Sizes are manufacturer specs.
Can you put the porta potty in my backyard?
Yes, if two things are true. The gate must have at least 48 inches of clear width, because a standard unit is 43.5 inches wide. And the spot must be within about 15 feet of where our truck parks, since the driver rolls the unit on a dolly. Otherwise, we use the driveway or side yard.
"Can you put it in the backyard?" is one of the most common questions in our calls. Measure the gate from post to post with the gate fully open. Gate hardware and latches steal an inch or two.
- No stairs, retaining walls or steep slopes between the truck and the spot.
- No narrow paths between a house and a fence under 48 inches.
- Accessible units need a much wider path: 62 inches.
What kind of ground does a porta potty need?
A porta potty needs level, firm ground: grass, gravel, concrete or packed dirt. DFW gets about 37 inches of rain a year, and Plano sits on Blackland Prairie clay, which turns slick and soft after a hard rain. On wet days, we set the unit on a driveway, patio or gravel pad instead of soggy lawn so it stays level.
A unit that leans is a unit that tips. Lean also makes the door swing shut or hang open.
- Check the spot with a level or a marble on a board.
- Avoid low corners of the yard where water sits after storms.
- On new-build lots, set the unit on road base, not the muddy house pad.
Should a porta potty go in the shade or the sun?
Put the porta potty in the shade when you can. Shade keeps the inside cooler, and a cooler tank smells less. DFW's normal July high is 95.6°F, so a unit in full afternoon sun gets hot fast. Avoid spots under trees that drop sap, berries or limbs on the roof.
Morning sun is fine. Afternoon sun from the west is the problem. If shade is not possible, turn the door away from the west so it does not bake.
Read our North Texas summer heat guide for more on odor and heat.
How far should a porta potty be from food and guests?
Keep the porta potty at least 25 to 50 feet from food tables and the grill, and downwind if you can. That is our working rule, not a law. Guests should still find it easily, so put it near the edge of the party with a clear, lit path and a hand wash station.
Too far and kids will not use it in time. Too close and guests smell it from the buffet. A side yard or the far end of the driveway usually splits the difference.
Add a two-station hand wash sink next to the unit for food events.
Questions about porta potty placement guide? Ask Mark's office.Quote requests get a call back within 1 business hour, Mon–Sat 7 AM–7 PM.
Call (972) 812-6200Get quoteHow do I keep a porta potty from tipping in a spring storm?
Ask for a stake tie-down and set the porta potty on the side of a building or fence that blocks the wind. A standard unit weighs about 175 pounds empty and is over 7 feet tall, so strong gusts can push it over. North Texas spring storms bring the most risk.
- Avoid open hilltops and the middle of a bare lot.
- Keep the door facing away from the usual south wind.
- Tie down every unit on open jobsites and long-term rentals.
- If a unit tips, keep people away and call us. Do not try to lift it.
Can a porta potty go in the street or under HOA rules?
We place every porta potty on private property by default. A unit in a public street, alley or sidewalk may need city approval. Many Plano-area HOAs also have rules on visible items, so ask your HOA about time limits and placement before a rental longer than 3 days.
For events in Plano with 100 or more people a day, a temporary structure or a use outside the property's normal use, check the City of Plano special event permit rules. This is not legal advice.
Where should a porta potty go on a construction jobsite?
On a jobsite, put the porta potty near the work but out of the path of equipment, deliveries and dumpsters. The service truck must reach the unit each week, within about 15 feet. Set the unit on road base or gravel, tie it down, and add a free padlock on request.
Move the unit as the job moves, but tell us first so the service driver can find it. For crew counts, see our jobsite toilet guide and the OSHA jobsite toilet guide.