How much does it cost to rent portable toilets?

Reviewed by Cristina Miguelez remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Portable toilets also referred to as porta potties, port-a-johns, or port-a-janes are portable buildings made of a translucent roof, vents, and structure, housing a urinal, toilet seat, sink, and holding tank. More deluxe versions may contain flushable toilets or even showers. Portable toilets are most often used at construction sites, concerts, festivals, industrial sites, natural disasters, home renovations, and other outdoor events/locations where access to bathrooms is non-existent or limited. Porta potties do not use plumbing but come equipped with waste basins that are emptied and sanitized for re-use.

The national average cost to rent a portable toilet for a week is between $150 and $300. Most homeowners pay around $220 for a one-week rental of a flushable portable toilet and a sink for the holidays. At the low end of the spectrum, you will pay around $80 for a one day rental of a standard portable toilet. At the high end, you may pay up to $650 for a one-month rental of a deluxe portable toilet, plus maintenance twice per week and a sanitizer dispenser.

Portable Toilets Price

Cost to Rent Portable Toilets by Rental Duration

The average port-a-john rental cost ranges from $80 to $500, depending on the type of rental and how long it lasts. Generally, portable toilets are rented for a day, a weekend, a week, or a month at a time. When you choose longer term rentals, you generally get lower rates, which is why the cost varies the way that it does. Transportation and setup cost a lot to the supplier so the less of that required, the better for them and the less they will charge. In the table and subsections below, you’ll see a breakdown of common portable toilet rental periods and their average costs.

Porta Potty Rental Cost per Day

The average cost for renting a porta potty for one day is $80 to $175. Short-term rentals typically run for one day to a few days and include one service visit after the contract is up. Short-term rentals are common for outdoor weddings, events, festivals, backyard parties, and concerts. They are a simple solution for waste disposal for an event without access to restroom facilities.

Weekend Porta Potty Rental

When you need a weekend porta potty rental, you can expect to spend between $125 and $175 for the entire weekend. Depending on the company, this may be a two-day or three-day rental, and they may wait until Monday to pick up the unit without assessing any extra charges. This is great for weekend events, weddings, festivals, reunions, etc. You do get a significant discount compared to daily rates when you book a weekend.

Porta Potty Rental Cost per Week

On a weekly basis, you can expect to pay between $150 and $300 for a porta potty rental. Renting by the week adds to the discounts, saving you even more because the company will save more money between the transportation, setup, and removal than for a single day’s rental. If you are planning a festival or family reunion, or even need a temporary toilet during construction, a weekly rental could be the way to go.

Portable Toilet Rental Cost per Month

Portable toilet rental costs drop significantly when contracted for long-term use averaging between $100 to $500 per month, with differences based on location, features, and delivery. You can expect to pay less for a monthly rental than a day rental because the highest price for the supplier is the set up and transportation. It is more cost-effective for the company the longer you keep the portable toilet. Therefore, they can charge you less for longer durations.

Porta Potty Rental Cost by Type

The type of porta potty you need will play a role in the rental cost averaging between $80 and $350. There are several different porta potty types on the market ranging from standard toilets to deluxe washrooms. Each one offers something slightly different. Depending on the occasion, one porta potty type may be more favoured over another. For construction sites or outdoor concerts, a standard portable toilet style is often the go-to choice. For weddings or other outdoor special events that require VIP treatment and comfort, a deluxe style or flushable toilet may be a better-suited choice. The chart below highlights the cost to rent a porta potty for one day based on the type, followed by an explanation of each, their use, and cost.

Standard Porta Potty

These standard portable toilets can be rented in a large quantity for the low cost of $80 to $125 per day. Standard portable restrooms can be found at most high-volume events, like concerts and festivals. Most feature reinforced walls, toilet, ventilation, a mirror, toilet paper dispenser, and an occupied/vacant sign on the door. They do not flush or offer many extra features.

Standard With Sink

The cost to rent a standard portable toilet with a sink is around $85 to $125 per day. Standard portable restrooms with a sink can be ideal for events or job sites where handwashing is required. These are a popular choice for outdoor festivals, concerts, or food vendor areas. These standard portable toilets feature everything in a standard portable toilet but also include a handwashing sink.

Flushable Portable Toilet Rental

Flushable portable toilets have a price of around $85 to $150 per day for rent. Flushable portable toilets are a step up from a standard porta potty that includes a flushable toilet. These toilets are flushed using hands-free flushing via a foot-pump and feature a hidden waste tank. Additional features usually include a sink or a hand sanitizer dispenser. These types of toilets offer an increased level of comfort and convenience for users.

High Rise Porta Potty

The cost to rent a high rise porta potty is $125 to $225 per day. High rise porta potties are standard porta potties equipped with a lift kit compatible with most standard cranes. Their heavy-duty wheels and handles make them easy to move to any location. These toilets are designed for construction job sites in high-rise buildings with no access to elevators, events in apartment buildings, or other events requiring toilet maneuverability. High rise porta potties are compact but equipped with a standard size toilet. They also feature toilet paper dispensers, privacy doors, and sometimes a sink.

ADA Porta Potty

The handicap porta potty rental cost is $150 to $225 per day. Handicap accessible washrooms may be required at your event or job site. These restrooms are easily accessible to those with disabilities by providing additional support such as handrails and anti-slip flooring. These ADA porta potties are roomier and offer an oversized door and ground level floor access.

Solar Powered Porta Potty

The rental cost for a solar porta potty is $175 to $325 per day. Solar porta potties are the newest on the market and add electricity that is not seen with most standard porta potties. Solar portable toilets are equipped with solar panels that convert sunlight into energy, which helps to power flushable toilets, ventilation, running water, and much more. These portable toilets typically come equipped with faucets for hand washing, safety lights, hooks for jackets, and grip flooring. There are also winterized units for heat and air conditioning for warmer climates.

Deluxe Portable Toilet Rental

The cost to rent a deluxe portable toilet per day is $200 to $350 per day. Offer your guests VIP treatment with a deluxe portable restroom facility. These porta potties provide the comforts of home with luxurious features, including hot and cold running water and flushing toilets. These toilets are often found at weddings, movie sets, and long-term construction sites. There are no hose connections or water sources required.

Portable Toilet Rental Cost by Type of Event

The type of event or use for your porta potties directly affects the number and type of portable toilets needed. The costs range anywhere from $125 to $4,500. For more lavish events such as an outdoor wedding, deluxe or flushable toilets are typically the go-to choice. For a high volume event such as a concert or festival, standard portable toilets are efficient enough to do the job. Disaster relief sites typically require trailers equipped with toilets and showers to provide comfort and sanitation for those in need. The number of attendees or people directly influences how many porta potties are needed to make sure your guests/users aren’t waiting in a long line for the bathroom. The chart below highlights the cost to rent a porta potty for one day based on the type of event, followed by an explanation of considerations for the type of event and cost.

Porta Potty Rentals for Parties

Renting a porta potty for a party is quite easy and affordable, ranging in cost between $125 and $175 for a standard version or $200 to $350 for a more deluxe style. If you are planning a backyard party, you most likely want guests to be comfortable and do not want guests going in and out of your house, tracking in dirt, or even going in the bushes. Especially if drinking and eating are involved, porta potties are a must.

Typically, most companies recommend renting a standard flushable toilet or a standard flushable toilet with a sink for a one day party. These toilets come equipped with all the basic amenities and are perfect for the event type. The number of guests at the party determines how many portable toilets you should provide. Only one porta potty is required for a party of up to 50 people for up to three hours. The number of guests at the party determines how many portable toilets you should provide.

Portable Toilet for an Outdoor Event

A daily/weekend rental of a standard porta potty can cost anywhere between $125 and $175. If more deluxe style porta potties are preferred, the cost can increase from $200 to $350. Standard portable restrooms can be found at most high-volume events, like concerts and festivals. These standard portable toilets come equipped with a toilet, sink, and toilet paper.The biggest considerations for portable toilets at any outdoor event are the number of people present and the duration of the event. If the outdoor event is a weekend in duration with up to 1000 attendees, you are required to have up to 12 porta potties.

Wedding Porta Potty Rental

The average cost to rent porta potties for a wedding ranges from $125 to $3,000, depending on the type. You may have found the ideal location for your wedding, but the problem is that the location does not come equipped with washrooms. Although portable toilets are not your first choice, the good news is that there are luxury portable washrooms. Many options are available for your prestigious special event. The style of your washroom is completely up to you. Depending on your budget, you may opt into renting a luxury restroom trailer that houses multiple bathroom stalls and costs anywhere from $900 to $3,000 per weekend. On the higher end of the price range, you can include all of the bells and whistles, including TVs, WIFI, and restroom attendants. While these styles are available, you might prefer to rent the standard portable washrooms to give your guests a more rustic outdoor experience, bringing the portable toilet rental cost down to $125 to $175.

The most important factor to consider is that you have enough washrooms to meet your guests’ needs. Hopefully, your RSVPs are in time to know how many people will be in attendance. The duration of your wedding is another factor that determines the number of washrooms. For a shorter wedding, washrooms may not be needed as much compared to an all-night event where alcohol is served. Renting the proper number of washrooms is key to avoiding lineups to use the bathroom.

Portable Toilet for Disaster Relief

The average cost for the rental of a portable shower trailer is $1,000 to $4,500 per weekend, which will be less for extended periods. Portable toilets are one of the most important items that can be available to people in a natural disaster such as a flood, earthquake, wildfire, or hurricane. The aftermath of a disaster becomes very dangerous when buildings or sanitation facilities become destroyed or unavailable. One of the last things people need to worry about during recovery from a natural disaster is sanitation and access to washrooms and sanitary showers. Having access to proper sanitation reduces the chances of the spread of illness during a disaster. Portable shower trailers are a perfect solution to porta potties and standalone handwashing stations during an emergency. They offer a sanitary, spacious, clean, full-service bathroom and shower and resemble the comfort of a home bathroom. Comfort in these types of situations can go a long way. With multiple sized trailers, it is easy to take care of multiple people.

For disaster relief, the rental of trailers may depend on where the disaster occurs and the type. If the event is minimal, it may fall on local agencies to provide portable toilets. If the disaster is extensive at a state or federal level, then portable trailers will be brought in right away. The cost for rental of portable shower trailers during a natural disaster depends on how many are required and the duration of a rental.

Average Porta Potty Rental Cost

The average rental of a porta potty is a week and has an average price of $150 to $300, with approximately 40% of the final costs made up of materials, and the other 60% made up of labor. The majority of the rental cost covers the placement, delivery, and removal of the porta potty, which is where portable toilet providers spend the most. The other portion covers the materials such as hand sanitizer, soap, paper towels, tank liquid, and deodorizer.

The portable toilets will be delivered to your location on the top of a truck or by towing, depending on the type of unit rented. Companies require a clear pathway to the location where the units will be placed. A mechanical lift in the rear of their vehicle allows them to easily unload the unit off of the truck. The tailgate is lowered, and the straps are removed. The unit is pulled right off the truck. The wheels on each side of the trailer are lowered to ensure an easy move to the desired location. The customer can choose if they would like the unit to remain on the wheels or be lowered to the ground level.

Next, the porta potty will be set-up. The tank is filled with water and a blue dye disinfectant and stocked with toilet paper, hand sanitizer, soap, and other necessities. Cleaning and maintenance schedules will be determined by the company and can be included in the rental contract. Porta potty suppliers come to retrieve the portable toilets and supplies at a predetermined date. If any delays occur upon arrival, extra charges can show up on your bill. The company is responsible for the waste disposal, removal, and total site cleanup.

The placement of the portable toilets is another important factor that must be determined to ensure ease of use. Each portable toilet needs to be placed on an accessible, solid, level, dry surface in a location where a service truck can reach within 25 to 40 feet. Placement on uneven surfaces can cause the waste basin to fill unevenly. For most events, it makes the most sense to place the portable toilets centrally and in high-traffic areas to ensure individuals don’t have to travel far to find a bathroom. If handicap porta potties are required, a minimum of one should be placed at each porta potty location to ensure they can be easily reached by those with physical limitations or small children.

Portable Toilet Rental for Construction Sites Cost

Whether working on a small project or a large commercial building site, construction job sites require a certain number of portable toilets by law, averaging anywhere from $80 to $225 per day, depending on the type. If contracted for a long-term construction project, this number can drop anywhere from $100 to $500 per month, with differences based on location, features, and delivery. The two most common porta potties rented for construction sites are the standard porta potty and high-rise. The standard porta potty provides workers with a contained basic facility, equipped with a toilet, urinal, and fully stocked toilet paper dispenser that meets all sanitary needs. A high-rise porta potty is designed specifically for high-rise construction, referred to as a porta potty elevator unit. These portable toilets can be lifted by crane or elevator to hard to reach locations and provide up to a 38-gallon tank. The standard ratio for construction sites is one porta potty per every ten workers in a 40-hour workweek. The chart below illustrates the number of portable toilets required based on the number of workers and shifts.

Porta Potty Cost to Buy

If you are looking at purchasing a portable toilet, you can expect to pay anywhere from $700 to $3,000 per unit. A standard portable restroom can be purchased for a relatively low price. For more deluxe models, you could spend thousands of dollars, depending on the amenities. Purchasing a porta potty can be ideal for those businesses or construction companies that require the use of a porta potty quite often. The option of purchasing rather than renting can be more cost-effective, saving money on recurring rental fees and maintenance over time.

Porta Potty Cleaning Service Cost

If you require porta potty cleaning service that is not included in your contract agreement, you can expect to pay an extra cost of $45 to $60 per visit. The cleaning and maintenance of portable toilets have to be regular but will depend on the number of users and the time of year. If the porta potty is being used at a multi-day event with heavy traffic and alcohol, you can expect maintenance once or twice a day. During the summer months, the smell inside the tank can worsen due to the warmer temperatures and require more frequent maintenance. Once a week is a standard cleaning schedule for most rental companies to do a thorough cleaning.

During a maintenance visit, service staff will typically follow four basic steps: pump, clean, sanitize, and restock. Step one involves removing the waste inside the holding tank. A vacuum is inserted into the toilet, which is used to pump the waste to the truck tank. The collected waste is then transported by the sanitation trucks to a waste treatment facility. After the tank has been emptied, it is time to clean. Cleaning the porta potty involves using a high-pressure water gun to wash off dirt, remove bacteria and germs, and prevent mold from accumulating. The high-pressure gun is filled with an odor control substance and disinfectant. When the cleaning is done, a towel is used to dry off all surfaces, except the floor.

After the cleaning is done, the service staff sanitizes by refilling the holding tank with a blue additive, which works as a deodorizer, disinfectant, and odor control substance. This additive color changes to green to provide a good indicator of when the next service is required. Finally, the service team restocks the portable restroom with essentials such as toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, soap, and even air freshener. As a courtesy, most companies sign and date the cleaning service sticker inside the porta potty to document that maintenance and regular cleaning were completed.

How Many Porta Potties Do I Need?

When renting a porta potty, it is important to decide how many portable toilets you will need to rent. If you have too many, it can be a waste of money. If you don’t have enough, people will have to wait in a long line to use the toilet and miss out on the fun or be late for work. The number of toilets needed is highly dependent on the duration of the event and the number of people. The chart below can be used to determine the number of porta potties needed for your upcoming event. According to the chart, two porta potties are enough for a ten-hour event with less than 50 people. For a ten-hour event with 5,000 people, it could require the support of up to 35 portable toilets. A couple of rules of thumb to keep in mind are for every four washrooms, add one accessible unit and one hand wash station. If food and drinks are being served, add 15 to 20% more washrooms.

Portable Toilet Maintenance

In addition to professional cleaning services, you will need to perform routine maintenance of your portable toilet rentals while you have them. They should be cleaned regularly and checked for necessities like toilet paper. Although companies offer cleaning services with their rentals, these may incur a premium charge and may not cover routine daily cleaning that you should be responsible for. Be sure to keep your porta potty in its best condition for everyone’s comfort.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Portable Sink Rental

Portable handwashing stations are a must-have when standard plumbing is not available for a rental cost of approximately $155 per week. They can be used for a variety of different events, including construction sites or large events. Handwashing stations come with a freshwater source, hands-free foot pump, soap dispenser, paper towels, and garbage. Depending on the size of your event, there is the option of a two-person hand wash station or a four-person. A two-person hand wash unit can provide approximately 600 to 700 hand washes and a four-person approximately 1,000.

Restroom Trailer Rental

The average cost for renting a restroom trailer is approximately $900 to $3,000 per weekend. These restroom trailers are full-sized trailers that house multiple bathroom stalls (between 2 and 25) and are commonly used for VIP events, construction sites, disaster relief, and home renovations. An upgrade from a standard porta potty, these restroom trailers come equipped with toilets, A/C and heat, sinks with hot and cold running water, and toilets that flush. You can also increase the cost by adding in all of the bells and whistles, including TVs, WIFI, and restroom attendants.

Hand Sanitizer Station Rental

The average cost for a rental of a hand sanitizer station is approximately $150 per week. A hand sanitizer station can be used instead of a portable handwashing station at large events; recommended for concerts, commercial venues, festivals, fairs, and construction sites. The stand sits among your porta potties and offers a quick and convenient, waterless hand wash for your users. There are no towels or water needed.

Portable Shower Rental

The average cost for the rental of a portable shower trailer is approximately $1,000 to $4,500 per weekend. Portable restroom trailers are the perfect solution for an event, construction site, disaster relief, or home renovation where comfort is required. Similar to restroom trailers, these trailers offer many features and amenities like a home bathroom including A/C and heat, sinks, flushable toilets, with the addition of shower stalls. These portable shower trailers often require an electricity hookup and water pump.

Portable Electric Heater Rental

The average cost to rent an electric heater runs between $10 and $75 per day, depending on the size and voltage. If your job site doesn’t have permanent heating installed, then a portable electric heater can be a temporary heating solution for your construction site. Electric heaters are typically the safest and most efficient heating systems for construction sites as long as the power is provided. They can run for long periods without having to check on them. Renting the heaters for longer periods reduces the rental cost. Some states require heaters to meet state requirements on some construction sites.

Portable Urinal Rental

In addition to portable toilets, you can choose to rent a portable urinal for about $75 to $125 per day, depending on the style and features included. Portable urinals offer a more compact solution than standard porta potty units and they are ideal for events or sites where there are a lot of men who may not need the full services of a port-a-john. This can be an addition to your port-a-john in some cases, as well, and will usually increase the rental price by about $20 to $50, depending on the other amenities present.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Regulations. To properly comply with regulations and local ordinances related to safe operations and environmentally compliant handling, transportation, and disposal of waste, some companies incur climate-related charges. These fees should be upfront and not hidden within your service fees.
• Permits. Most rental companies take care of the permits for you as part of the contract. Permits are not required for all porta potty rentals but vary among locations such as work sites, events on private properties, and public facilities. Make sure to follow up with the rental company on the requirement of a permit for your rental.
• Construction site requirements. Construction sites may be required by law to provide a number of portable toilets proportional to the size of the work crew. The American National Standards Institute gives a figure of one portable toilet for every ten workers.
• Eco-friendly portable toilets. These flush using less water consumption than an average portable toilet. This innovative technology allows the toilet to save water using a recirculating system. The cost to purchase an eco-friendly portable toilet ranges between models and sizes, costing anywhere from $150 to $1,600.
• Women’s only portable toilets. Some companies may have women’s only portable toilets for rent, which commonly feature feminine pink decor, seat pads, a clean and spacious design, and odor-free sanitation.
• Deposit. When renting a porta potty, most companies require a deposit to protect the company from cancellation or property damage. These fees are typically refunded or deducted from your total.
• Fees. Depending on the rental company, some other fees are involved in the rental of a porta potty, including damage waiver, reservation, fuel surcharge, waste-handling, cleaning and maintenance, premium charge, expedited delivery, and late fees.
• Damage waiver fee. A damage waiver fee is highly recommended and acts to protect you and the company if a unit becomes damaged.
• Reservation fee. A fee paid to reserve your rental on the schedule.
• Fuel surcharge. A flat-rate or price-per miles charge for the mileage for delivery and pickup may be charged with porta potty rental.
• Waste-handling fee. This will cover the costs associated with dumping the tanks at the waste disposal facility.
• Cleaning and maintenance fee. A weekly cleaning is typically included in the rental, but additional cleanings come at an additional cost.
• Premium charge. There may be a charge to cover employee overtime if porta potties are delivered on a Saturday or Sunday.
• Expedited delivery charge. If you require a porta potty to be delivered urgently, there may be an extra fee to expedite the delivery, often within two or fewer days. This usually occurs in the situation of a natural disaster.
• Late fees. If you end up needing the portable toilets for longer than anticipated or scheduled, you will be required to pay an extra “late fee” per day.
• Hiring tips. Multiple portable toilet rental companies are on the market. It is a good idea to shop around and try to find the cheapest rentals. Inquire about discounts, fees, the right size and type, and try to negotiate the best rate.
• Valet. VIP events may benefit from having uniformed valets assigned to restroom trailers. These valets can monitor guest flow while also attending to cleaning and stocking needs.