Portable toilets come in all shapes and sizes. To keep it simple, almost every type falls under one of the following categories:
- Standard
- Deluxe Flushable
- Construction (High Rise, Crane Hook, or Rollable)
- Towable (Trailer Mounted)
- Portable Restroom Trailer
- Wheelchair Accessible / ADA Compliant
- Green (Environmentally Friendly)
- Solar
- Baby-Changing Station
- Portable Handwashing Station
Now you might be asking yourself:
“Which type of porta potty is best for me?”
We’ve been there! It’s tough deciding between porta potty options for the first time. That’s one of the reasons why we put together this guide.
Below, we preview the different types of portable toilets. You’ll get a good sense of the options, their uses, and how big each porta potty is.
Once you’ve narrowed down the options, click on a category to learn more about it and find companies offering those units in your area.
Porta Potty Types: Uses, Sizes, and Considerations
Standard Porta Potties
What Are They?
- Regular single-unit portable bathrooms.
- Do not flush or have a sink.
- Solid construction with a secure lock.
Uses
- Construction sites, home renovations, concerts, outdoor gatherings, parties, and more.
- Best for short-term events because they have smaller holding tanks.
Considerations
- One of the cheapest options on the market.
- Often rented in clusters for events with large crowds.
- Your rental company can empty and clean the units on location.
- Some companies offer additional features, such as mirrors, hand sanitizer, and lighting.
Average Size
- Width: 43 – 46 inches
- Depth: 46 – 48 inches
- Height: 88 – 91 inches
- Holding Tank Capacity: 50 – 70 gallons
Deluxe Flushable Porta Potties
What Are They?
- Flushable portable bathrooms that often include a handwashing station, mirror, side urinal, or baby changing station.
- Similar in appearance to standard units, but larger.
Uses:
- Food festivals, construction sites, disaster relief areas, backyard parties.
- Interactive events where clean hands are required.
- Preferred by parents with small children.
Considerations:
- An upscale alternative to standard porta potties.
- Eliminates most complaints about portable restrooms.
- Can be rented with standard units to offer multiple bathroom solutions.
Average Size:
- Width: 44 – 47 inches
- Depth: 45 – 48 inches
- Height: 89 – 91 inches
- Holding Tank Capacity: 60 – 70 gallons
Construction Porta Potties: High Rise, Crane Hook, and Rolling
What Are They?
- Crane hook porta potties are standard units with steel or iron bars, which allow them to be crane lifted into buildings.
- High rise (or “rolling”) porta potties are smaller and built on durable wheels, which allows them to be rolled to new areas. They even fit in elevators! They also come with a detachable roof for privacy.
Uses:
- Construction projects in high rise buildings, office space, apartment complexes, and other vertical construction zones.
Considerations:
- Only necessary for use above the ground floor.
- A crane is needed to move units that do not have wheels.
Size:
- Width: 33 – 35 inches
- Depth: 53 – 55 inches
- Height: 91 inches with a roof; 69 inches without a roof
- Holding Tank Capacity: 35 – 40 gallons
- Sizing information based on rolling porta potties. See our section on standard units for crane hook sizing.
Towable (Trailer Mounted) Porta Potties
What Are They?
- A standard porta potty mounted on a towable trailer.
- Built with durable tires and brake lights for safe towing.
- Able to be parked. Prevents runaway porta potties when unhooked from the vehicle!
Uses:
- Best for mobile worksites.
- Examples include highway road work, volunteer work, disaster relief, field-based media crews, and other on-the-go teams.
Considerations:
- Designed to be mounted using a single-axle trailer; nearly any towing vehicle will be up to the task.
Average Size:
- Width: 60 – 70 inches
- Depth: 110 – 115 inches (includes trailer)
- Height: 105 – 110 inches
- Holding Tank Capacity: 50 – 70 gallons
Portable Restroom Trailers
What Are They?
- Large trailers resembling residential restrooms. They have flushing toilets, lighting, running water, counter space, and a modern interior.
- Referred to as luxury, VIP, or wedding restroom trailers; the most high-end portable bathroom solution.
- There are dozens of types of restroom trailers. Some have private units, with as many as 10 bathrooms on a single trailer. Others offer large communal restrooms with stalls, urinals, hand washing stations, mirrors, and more.
Uses:
- Weddings, corporate events, television and film production, and other luxury or large events.
Considerations:
- Guests in formal attire will expect clean and comfortable bathroom trailers.
- On the flip side, concert and festival-goers will not expect this luxury option.
Average Size:
- Width: 8 feet and wider
- Depth: 12 feet and longer
- Height: 10 feet and taller
- Holding Tank Capacity: 500 gallons or more.
- This is conservative sizing based on smaller models. Most companies offer a wide range of small and large bathroom trailers.
Handicap / Wheelchair Accessible Porta Potties
What Are They?
- Spacious porta potties that allow people with disabilities to comfortably use the restroom.
- Single-unit porta potties built wider than standard potties, resulting in ample room for wheelchairs.
- A flat entrance, rather than a ramp, means easy entering and leaving.
- Additional features include safety hand rails, lower toilet seat, and anti-slip materials.
Uses:
- Recommended for any event, large or small.
- Units are ADA compliant and may be required by law.
Considerations:
- The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) establishes laws on equal public accommodations for people with disabilities. In many cases, you are required to have a number of ADA-compliant porta potties at your event.
- Current ADA standards can be found here.
- Having no legal requirement to provide wheelchair-accessible bathrooms is not an excuse to omit them from your event. Consider the needs of a diverse crowd.
Average Size:
- Width: 60 – 70 inches
- Depth: 75 – 85 inches
- Height: 90 – 95 inches
- Holding Tank Capacity: 70 gallons
“Green” (Environmentally-Friendly) Porta Potties
What Are They?
- Any porta potty that is built from recycled materials, contains environmentally-friendly products, and uses health-conscious cleaning products and procedures.
- Their appearance and features do not differ from the other types of portable bathrooms on in this guide.
Uses:
- All uses: backyard parties, festivals, sporting events, parking lots, and more.
Considerations:
- Demand for “Green” porta potties is growing, but not all companies offer environmentally-friendly services.
- Consult local companies to find out what steps they take ensure eco-friendly sanitation services.
Average Size:
- Most porta potties can be made “green.” View sizing for the many types on this list.
Solar Porta Potties
What Are They?
- Portable restrooms capable of converting sunlight into electricity.
- Electricity is used to power overhead lighting, flush toilets, turn on sink faucets, provide ventilation/air conditioning/heating, and more.
- Typically used for single unit or trailer restrooms.
Uses:
- Great for outdoor events lacking access to reliable electric power.
- Examples include parks, fairs, film sets, parties, and more.
Considerations:
- Requires access to sunlight. As a result, they’re not available in certain states.
- Discuss solar options and requirements with your local providers.
Average Size:
- Width: 45 – 50 inches
- Depth: 45 inches
- Height: 90 – 95 inches
- Holding Tank Capacity: 60 – 70 gallons
- Sizing is based on single unit restrooms
Baby-Changing Stations
What Are They?
- Single units with the toilet removed, providing maximum space.
- Interior of the bathroom contains a large baby-changing table, sink with soap and running water, smell-proof trash, and ventilation.
- Some companies install baby-changing stations in standard or deluxe units.
Uses:
- Family-friendly locations, including sporting events, parks, campsites, family gatherings, backyard parties, and barbeques.
Considerations:
- Necessary if you have guests with small children.
- While some companies incorporate baby-changing tables into regular porta potties, most parents appreciate a dedicated changing space due to cleanliness.
Average Size:
- Width: 45 – 50 inches
- Depth: 45 – 50 inches
- Height: 90 inches
- Changing Surface: 3 feet wide x 2 feet deep
Portable Handwashing Stations
What Are They?
- Single or multi-person hand washing stations with running water and soap dispensers.
- Many models available, including hand sanitizer dispensers, multi-faucet sinks, and durable construction sinks.
Uses:
- Hand sanitizer dispensers are best for small events without food.
- Hand washing stations are best for large events, especially if guests will be eating and/or consuming alcohol.
- Construction sinks are best for any type of construction site, large or small.
Considerations:
- Do not underestimate the importance of clean hands! Guests will be uncomfortable participating at fairs, festivals, and other interactive events if they can’t wash their hands.
Average Size:
- Width: 20 inches
- Depth: 20 inches
- Height: 60 inches
- Holding Tank Capacity: 50 – 20 gallon tank (250 – 350 uses)
- Sizing is based on standard single unit handwashing stations.