What are the tech specs of the standard porta potty?
It is a PolyJohn PJN3, 91 inches tall, 43.5 inches wide and 47 inches deep. It weighs about 165 pounds empty and holds 60 gallons of waste. Inside, the floor is 41 by 41 inches with 82 inches of headroom, so most adults can stand and turn without bumping the walls.
These numbers come from the manufacturer, PolyJohn. We list them so you can check your gate, your driveway and your space before you call.
| Spec | PolyJohn PJN3 |
|---|---|
| Exterior size | 91" H x 43.5" W x 47" D |
| Interior size | 41" x 41" floor, 82" headroom |
| Empty weight | About 165 lb |
| Holding tank | 60 gallons |
| Flush | None (drop-through tank) |
| Hand cleaning | Hand sanitizer dispenser |
| Other features | Urinal, 2 tissue holders, mirror, translucent roof, vent, anti-slip floor |
| Hookups needed | None: no water, no power |
Source: PolyJohn PJN3 specifications. Want something bigger? Compare every unit on our unit comparison page.
What's inside a standard porta potty?
You get a toilet seat over a 60-gallon tank, a urinal, 2 toilet paper holders, a mirror and a hand sanitizer dispenser. A translucent roof lets daylight in, so the unit is not dark inside. A vent pulls odor up and out, and the floor has an anti-slip surface.
- Toilet seat and lid over the holding tank, with blue deodorizer added before delivery.
- Urinal on the side wall, which keeps the seat cleaner during a long party.
- 2 tissue holders, so one roll running out does not leave guests stuck.
- Hand sanitizer dispenser, filled before delivery.
- Mirror, vent and translucent roof for light and air.
There is no sink and no flush. If guests need to wash hands with water, add a portable hand washing station.
How many people does one standard porta potty serve?
About 50 guests at an event of 4 hours or less. Round up, so 60 guests need 2 units. For a jobsite, OSHA Table D-1 says 1 toilet covers 20 or fewer workers. Longer events and events with alcohol need extra units, added with the simple rules below.
We use one sizing method on every call. For events:
- Divide guests by 50 and round up.
- Longer than 4 hours? Add 1 unit for every 100 guests, rounded up.
- Serving alcohol? Add 1 unit for every 100 guests, rounded up.
- Public event? Add at least 1 wheelchair-accessible porta potty per cluster.
| Group | Standard units |
|---|---|
| Backyard party, 40 guests, 3 hours | 1 |
| Party, 90 guests, 4 hours | 2 |
| Crew of 20 or fewer workers (OSHA) | 1 |
| Crew of 21–40 workers (OSHA: 1 seat + 1 urinal per 40) | 1 |
Crew numbers come from OSHA 29 CFR 1926.51 Table D-1. For more, see our sizing calculator.
Will a standard porta potty fit through my backyard gate?
Yes, if the gate opens to at least 48 inches (4 feet) of clear width. The unit is 43.5 inches wide, and the driver can roll it about 15 feet from the truck on a dolly. If the gate is narrower, we set the unit in the driveway or side yard instead.
Measure the gate opening from post to post with the gate fully open. Tell us that number on the call, and we will tell you where the unit can go.
What the driver needs
- 48 in or more of clear gate width.
- Level, firm ground: grass, gravel, concrete or packed dirt.
- About 15 feet or less from where the truck parks.
- A marked spot (cone, flag or ribbon) and an open gate or gate code, so you do not need to be home.
After heavy rain, clay soil gets soft. We may set the unit on the driveway instead so the dolly does not sink.
Get a quote for a standard porta pottyQuote requests get a call back within 1 business hour, Mon–Sat 7 AM–7 PM.
Call (972) 812-6200Get quoteWill I get an event unit or a construction unit?
We keep 2 separate fleets of standard porta potties. Event units are the newer, cleaner units and go to parties, weddings and church events. Construction units go to jobsites and remodels, where dust and mud are normal. Both fleets use the same PolyJohn PJN3 size and features.
Tell us what the unit is for, and we pull from the right fleet. A backyard birthday gets an event unit. A roofing crew gets a construction unit.
Jobsite renters can ask for a free hasp and padlock. Weekly service is part of every 28-day jobsite rental.
How is a standard porta potty cleaned and serviced?
Event units arrive cleaned, sanitized and stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. A unit on a 28-day rental gets weekly service: pump out waste, clean and sanitize surfaces, restock paper and sanitizer, and refill deodorizer. Extra service visits are available Monday through Saturday, quoted before they are scheduled.
A one-day or weekend party usually needs no service visit. A multi-day event can add a mid-event service.
Long-term rentals bill on a 28-day cycle, not a calendar month.
Pickup is not automatic, so call or text when you are done. Billing stops the day you ask for pickup. Ask about monthly rentals on the call.
Is the standard porta potty the right unit for me?
Yes, for most backyard parties of up to 50 guests, work crews and short events. The trade-offs are no sink and no flush, so guests clean hands with sanitizer only. For weddings, showers or guests who expect running water, a deluxe flushing unit or a hand wash station is the better pick.
| You need | Choose |
|---|---|
| Lowest cost, up to about 50 guests | Standard unit |
| Hand washing with water | Standard unit + hand wash station |
| Flushing toilet and sink in one unit | Deluxe flushing porta potty |
| Wheelchair or stroller access | Wheelchair-accessible unit |
| Porcelain toilets, lights and A/C | Restroom trailer |
The standard unit also needs no water hose and no outlet, so it can go almost anywhere a dolly can roll.
What do callers ask most before renting a standard unit?
We reviewed 185 recorded calls from people renting porta potties in 2026 (172 reached a live conversation). 64% of callers (110 of 172) asked the price first, and home parties were the largest group at 33%. Callers had heard 3 different rules (1 per 40, 50 or 100 guests). We use one published method.
Our one rule: 1 standard unit per 50 guests for up to 4 hours, plus the add-ons above.
Callers also asked, in their own words, "can you put it in the backyard?" and "is it per day or for the whole time?" A short rental is a flat rate for the whole drop-off to pickup, not a daily meter. Learn more on the cost guide.