OSHA Porta Potty Requirements: What the Rules Say
Updated October 11, 2026
OSHA sets the minimum number of toilets on a construction site. The rule is short, but the math trips people up. Here is what the federal rule says, how to count for your crew, and where we suggest going above the minimum. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
What does OSHA Table D-1 require?
OSHA Table D-1 sets the minimum toilets on a construction site. With 20 or fewer workers, the site needs 1 toilet. With 20 or more, the site needs 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers. With 200 or more, the site needs 1 seat and 1 urinal per 50 workers.
| Number of employees | Minimum number of facilities |
|---|---|
| 20 or less | 1 |
| 20 or more | 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers |
| 200 or more | 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 50 workers |
Read the full rule at OSHA 29 CFR 1926.51. Our standard unit has 1 seat and 1 urinal, so one unit covers one line of the table.
The same rule says job sites without a sanitary sewer must use one of these toilet types, unless local codes say otherwise: privies, chemical toilets, recirculating toilets or combustion toilets. A rented porta potty is a chemical toilet. Count workers on your busiest day, not your average day.
How many porta potties do 12, 35, 85 or 210 workers need?
Divide the crew by 40, or by 50 for 200 or more workers, and round up. That gives 1 unit for 12 workers, 1 for 35, 3 for 85 and 5 for 210. Those numbers are the legal floor. Our recommendation is higher, so crews do not wait in line.
| Workers | OSHA minimum | Standard units that meet it | Our recommendation* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1 toilet | 1 | 2 |
| 35 | 1 seat + 1 urinal | 1 | 4 |
| 85 | 3 seats + 3 urinals | 3 | 9 |
| 210 | 5 seats + 5 urinals | 5 | 21 |
*Our recommendation, not the law: about 1 standard unit per 10 workers on a 40-hour week with weekly service. Twice-weekly service can cut the unit count on a tight site. Use our porta potty calculator for crews and guests to run your own numbers.
Does OSHA require hand washing on a construction site?
OSHA 1926.51(f) requires washing facilities when workers apply paint, coatings, herbicides or insecticides, or work with other harmful contaminants. The washing area must sit near the worksite and let workers remove those substances. Many general contractors add a hand wash station on every site anyway.
A foot-pump hand wash station needs no water or power hookup and has sinks on 2 sides. Our planning rule is 1 station per 4 toilets.
What are the OSHA toilet rules for farm workers?
OSHA 1928.110 covers farms with 11 or more hand laborers in the field on a given day. The farm must provide 1 toilet and 1 hand washing facility for each 20 workers. Both must sit within a quarter-mile walk of each worker. Short field shifts of 3 hours or less have an exception.
See the full text at OSHA 29 CFR 1928.110. For crews that move across a field, ask about our towable unit.
Do mobile crews need a porta potty?
OSHA 1926.51(c)(4) says the toilet count does not apply to mobile crews with transportation readily available to nearby toilets. Line crews, survey crews and paving crews often fit this rule. If the nearest restroom is a long drive, a towable or trailer-mounted unit can follow the crew instead.
Our construction porta potty rentals include towable units for utility and line crews.
Is the OSHA minimum enough for my crew?
The OSHA minimum keeps a site legal, but the minimum often leaves long lines. A full unit near the end of the week also smells. Lines cost paid labor time. For a busy crew, plan above the minimum, add weekly service, and add a second visit after heavy weeks.
Long jobs bill on a 28-day cycle with weekly pump, clean, sanitize and restock. Billing stops the day you call for pickup. See monthly jobsite porta potty rental for details.
Common questions
Does South Carolina have its own jobsite toilet rule?
South Carolina runs its own program, SC OSHA, which follows the federal construction standards. Ask SC OSHA directly if your site has an unusual setup.
Does OSHA say how often jobsite toilets must be cleaned?
Table D-1 sets counts, not a cleaning schedule. Toilets still need to stay sanitary. Our monthly jobsite rentals include weekly service, and extra visits are available.
Do I need a wheelchair-accessible unit on a jobsite?
Table D-1 does not call for one. If a worker on your crew needs one, rent a wheelchair-accessible unit with a ground-level floor, wide door and grab bars.
Who has to provide toilets on a site with many trades?
OSHA puts the duty on each employer. On many sites the general contractor provides toilets for all trades by contract. Check your contract so nobody is left without one.
What does a jobsite unit cost per month?
A standard jobsite unit with weekly service runs about $175–$275 per 28-day cycle, plus about $50–$100 one time for delivery and pickup. This is an estimate; your itemized quote is final.