Placement guide
Porta Potty Placement and Delivery Guide
Put a porta potty on level, firm ground within about 15 feet of where the truck can park. A standard unit needs a 48-inch gate. Mark the spot, open the gate, and you do not need to be home.
By Dominic, owner · Reviewed
Where can a porta potty be placed?
A porta potty can be placed on any level, firm surface within about 15 feet of where the service truck can park: pavement, gravel, packed dirt or dry grass. The spot should be clear of overhead wires, septic tanks, leach fields and slopes steeper than a gentle grade.
| Unit | Narrowest opening | Footprint | Good spots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard porta potty | 48 in | About 4 × 4 ft | Gate, driveway, lawn |
| Deluxe flushing unit | 48 in | About 4 × 4 ft | Gate, driveway, lawn |
| Wheelchair-accessible unit | No gate; open access | About 8 × 8 ft | Driveway, lot, wide lawn |
| Hand-washing station | 36 in | About 3 × 3 ft | Anywhere level |
| 2-stall restroom trailer | 12 ft lane | About 8 × 16 ft + hitch | Lane, lot, firm field |
What does the delivery truck need to reach my spot?
The delivery truck needs a path about 10 feet wide with about 12 feet of overhead clearance, and firm ground it will not sink into. Units are rolled the last stretch on a hand truck, so the final 15 feet can be a walkway or lawn, but not stairs.
- Move cars out of the driveway on delivery and service days.
- Tell us about low branches, wires, narrow bridges or steep, unpaved driveways when you book.
- Rural address with no number? Send a map pin.
How should I mark the spot and prepare for delivery?
Mark the spot with a cone, flag, bucket or spray-paint X, and tell us which side the door should face. Unlock the gate or text the code. You do not need to be home; the driver texts about 30 minutes ahead and sends a photo when the unit is placed.
How does winter weather change placement in New Hampshire?
Winter placement in New Hampshire needs 3 extra steps: keep the unit away from plow lines and roof drip edges, shovel a 3-foot path to the door after each storm, and keep the truck lane plowed for service day. Units get an antifreeze-treated tank solution below 32°F.
More in the winter porta potty guide.
What about mud season and posted roads?
Mud season in New Hampshire runs roughly mid-March through April. Lawns turn soft, and many towns post weight limits on gravel and back roads. Plan spring units on pavement or gravel, and expect some rural deliveries to be scheduled around posted-road dates.
Your town public works office can tell you if your road is posted.
Do I need a permit to put a porta potty on the street?
A porta potty on your own property usually needs no permit. A porta potty on a city street, sidewalk or other public right-of-way usually needs approval from the city or town public works office. HOAs and condo boards may also have placement rules.
Each town page names the local office to check with.
Questions people ask before booking
Can a porta potty go on a slope?
A gentle slope is fine if the unit sits steady and the door swings freely. On steeper ground, choose a flatter spot or ask about a level pad.
Can you carry a porta potty up stairs?
Units are not carried up or down stairs. Pick a spot reachable by a hand truck over flat ground.
Can the porta potty be moved during the rental?
A move within the site can be done on a service visit. Moving it yourself can spill the tank, so please ask first.
Can it be placed right next to the house?
A few feet from the house is fine. Keep the roof vent away from open windows and the door clear of gutters.
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