Reviewed by Noel, owner of Noel Portable Toilets Rental
How many porta potties do I need for a party or event?
Plan 1 standard porta potty per 50 guests for an event up to 4 hours. Double that for events of 5 to 8 hours. Add 1 unit for every 4 units when alcohol is served. Public events need at least 5% of units to be wheelchair-accessible, which means at least 1.
| Guests | Up to 4 hours | 5–8 hours | With alcohol, 5–8 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 100 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| 150 | 3 | 6 | 7 |
| 200 | 4 | 8 | 10 |
| 300 | 6 | 12 | 15 |
Method: 1 unit per 50 guests per 4-hour block, from the common industry planning chart. Alcohol adjustment: add 1 unit for every 4 (minimum 1). Accessibility: 2010 ADA Standards section 213.2. Try the sizing calculator for your numbers.
When is my event porta potty delivered and picked up?
Event porta potties are delivered on Thursday or Friday before a weekend event and picked up on Monday. The extra days cost nothing because event pricing covers the whole delivery-to-pickup window, not each day. Weekday events get delivery the day before and pickup the day after.
Need the unit locked until the party starts? Every unit has a door lock, and we can leave it locked with the key wherever you tell us.
Which units are best for graduation parties, reunions and festivals?
Standard porta potties cover most backyard graduation parties, family reunions and church picnics. Add a hand washing station whenever food is served. Festivals, fairs and any public event need at least 1 wheelchair-accessible unit, and a deluxe flushing unit keeps guests happy at upscale parties.
| Event | Typical setup |
|---|---|
| Graduation open house, 100 guests, 4 hours | 2 standard units + 1 hand washing station |
| Family reunion at a lake cabin, 60 guests, 8 hours | 4 standard units + 1 hand washing station |
| Church festival, 400 guests, 6 hours, food sold | 16 units incl. 1 wheelchair-accessible + 4 hand washing stations |
| Fun run or trail event, 250 runners, 3 hours | 5 units near the start + 1 at the finish |
| Backyard birthday, 40 guests, house bathroom available | 1 standard unit |
Do food stands at Minnesota events need hand washing stations?
Food stands at Minnesota special events must have hand washing with potable water, soap and paper towels. Hand sanitizer does not count. In Douglas and Pope counties, Horizon Public Health enforces this rule, and our two-sink hand washing station meets it with no hookup.
Source: Minnesota Department of Health special event food stand guide. Confirm details with your local health agency.
Where should event porta potties be placed?
Put event porta potties on level ground, close enough that guests can find them but downwind and at least 20 feet from food tables. The truck needs to stop within about 25 feet. Units cannot be carried through gates or into backyards, so a driveway edge or side yard works best.
For an evening party, place them near a yard light or ask about adding a battery light.
When should I book an event porta potty in Alexandria?
Book event porta potties 2 to 3 weeks ahead for May and June graduation weekends, the July 4th week, and big local weekends like Vikingland Band Festival, Art in the Park, the Douglas County Fair and Grape Stomp. Other weekends usually need about a week, and same-day still works in a pinch.