Throwing a large event in Central Texas may seem like a logistical headache. Permits, heat, vendors — there’s a lot to think about!
Cleanliness and sanitation are a part of the guest experience that’s often overlooked. Imagine missing out on part of the festival lineup or your company’s bowling activity because you were waiting in line too long. Not only is it embarrassing for the venue, it’s also bad for business. By understanding how many portable toilets you really need for your event, you can ensure guests stay happy, healthy, and comfortable.
Determining the proper number of portable restroom units can be tricky. Site variables like the event’s duration, the kind of food and drinks served, guest count and density, and the physical landscape all come into play.
Whether you’re planning an intimate wedding in Austin or a large-scale festival on Lady Bird Lake, read on to learn how many porta potties are needed for an event.
How Many Porta Potties Do I Need for an Event?
The general rule of thumb for event planners is one portable toilet for every 50-75 people — that’s the “keeping-it-basic” ratio. This formula works best for events that will only last around 4 hours, so keep in mind that if your event will take place over lunch or all day, you should increase the quantity.
When doing your best to guarantee guest satisfaction, aim for a ratio of one unit for every 50 guests, a more comfortable ratio. If guests aren’t worried about finding an open restroom, they can spend more time enjoying what your event has to offer.
Factors That Affect Porta Potty Quantity
While gender mix and event duration are the largest predictors of your porta potty requirements, there are a few other factors you should consider when calculating your quantities. You can’t necessarily use the same formula for a morning wedding as you would for an afternoon BBQ competition.
Duration
The longer your event lasts, the more portable restroom units you’ll need. Each unit is designed to withstand a certain number of visits until it needs to be professionally serviced. If your event will span 8 hours instead of 4, you should double the order. If that’s not possible, schedule a mid-service swap of your full toilets for clean ones. For festivals that span multiple days, you may need an on-site crew servicing the units daily.
Food and Drink
Does your event include food service or alcohol consumption? If your guests can enjoy a beer or cocktail, you should increase your portable toilet order by 30% – 40%. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means party guests will be visiting your facilities far more frequently. In Austin, especially, there is always craft beer or alcohol served at events. Make sure you plan accordingly!
Event Schedule and Crowd Dynamics
500 wedding guests filing in for photos will have drastically different restroom needs than a crowd of 500 people at a festival. Figure out when the likely peak restroom usage will be for your event. If everyone is stuck in their seats during a particular halftime show or following lunch, you should have enough units to accommodate everyone at once.
Gender Split
Did you know that women statistically spend more time in restroom facilities than men? If you know you will have a higher split of females at your event, or if you’re hosting an event with children, consider increasing unit count.
Portable Toilet Quantity Cheat Sheet
Here is a general idea of how many porta potties you need to rent for your event, based on guest count and duration.
| Guest Count | 1-4 Hours | 5-8 Hours | 9-12 Hours |
| 50 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 100 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 250 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| 500 | 10 | 12 | 15 |
| 1000 | 20 | 24 | 28 |
Keep in mind, this table assumes an even gender split and no alcohol service. If you plan to serve alcohol at your event, increase your numbers by at least 20% to account for higher traffic and ensure a clean restroom experience for your guests.
Additional Rentals You Should Consider
Figuring out how many portable toilets you need is only half the battle. Providing a clean, comfortable restroom experience for your guests involves more than just the units themselves. Take a look at these extra rentals to help your outdoor venue “pop”.
Handwashing Stations
As standards and expectations for hospitality rise, handwashing stations and hand sanitizers are essential to any event. Handwashing stations should be situated near both the restroom area and food service areas. Not only does this provide excellent sanitation value, but it makes your guests feel incredibly clean. Generally, one handwashing station for every four Portable Restrooms is sufficient.
ADA-Compliant Restrooms Are Required
ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act. These units are larger than your standard portable toilet and feature special accommodations for guests with mobility issues. Things like wider doors, interior grab bars, and easily accessible sinks are common. Events are required to have at least one ADA unit for every 10 standard units. We recommend at least one ADA unit for every cluster of restroom facilities.
Portable Restroom Trailers
Sometimes standard porta potties are just not enough. Restroom trailers are fully enclosed units with flush toilets, running water, mirrors, and HVAC. They provide a “home-from-home” feeling that guests love. Depending on how fancy your event is, restroom trailers are a great way to keep guests comfortable in the Texas heat and provide room for bulky costumes or dress shoes.
Where To Place Porta Potties at Austin Events?
Now that you know how many portable toilets you need, where should you put them? First and foremost, all units should be situated on level, grass-free areas to prevent tipping. Porta potty rental sites should also be easily accessible to service trucks while being far enough away from food prep areas to prevent smell.
As for quantity placement, if your event is particularly large-scale, try clustering your porta potties into a few different areas. Guests shouldn’t have to walk across your entire festival site to find the nearest restroom.
Rent a Porta Potty from Austin’s Premier Provider
Need to find portable toilets near you in Austin, TX? As Austin’s original provider of portable sanitation rentals, Texas Johns has been helping events since 2013. Whether you’re hosting an event, managing a construction site, or planning an outdoor gathering, Texas Johns delivers quality porta potty rentals with dependable service throughout Austin, Texas. We can help you determine exactly how many porta potties you need to keep guests comfortable and your event running smoothly.
We also offer fencing rentals and dumpster services to handle your entire event infrastructure. Contact Texas Johns today and let us help you prepare for an unforgettable event in Central Texas.
