Open Mon–Sat, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Where to Put a Porta Potty: Placement and Delivery Prep
Where to put a porta potty comes down to 3 things: level ground, a gate wide enough and a truck parked within about 25 feet. This guide covers each one, plus sand, shade, wind and the steps to take before delivery.
Where should you put a porta potty?
Put a porta potty on firm, level ground where the service truck can park within about 25 feet. That is how far the pump hose reaches. A driveway edge, a flat patch of lawn or a gravel pad all work. Keep the spot clear of low wires, parked cars and soft, wet ground.
Every unit has to be pumped before it can be loaded and hauled away, so the truck returns to the same spot at pickup. For monthly rentals the truck comes back every week. Choose a spot that stays reachable the whole time, including after rain.
Will a porta potty fit through your gate?
A standard porta potty is 43.5 inches wide, so plan for a gate at least about 4 feet wide, plus room for 2 people to carry it. A wheelchair-accessible unit is 62 inches wide and needs about 6 feet. Most single backyard gates take a standard unit but not an accessible one.
| Unit | Width × depth | Gate opening to plan for | Ground it needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard porta potty | 43.5 × 47 in | At least about 4 ft, plus room for 2 people to carry it | Firm and level |
| Deluxe flushing unit | 47 × 48 in | At least about 4.5 ft | Firm and level |
| Wheelchair-accessible unit | 62 × 62 in | At least about 6 ft; most single yard gates are too narrow | Firm, level, with a flat route to the door |
| Hand-wash station | 26.5 × 21.5 in | A standard 3-ft gate works | Level; it is tall and light when empty |
| Restroom trailer | Varies by stall count | Towed in; needs a driveway or open drive path | Level spot, 110V outlet within about 100 ft, a hose bib |
Unit details are on the standard porta potty and wheelchair-accessible unit pages. Measure your gate before you call.
Can a porta potty go on grass, gravel or sand?
A porta potty can sit on grass, gravel, packed dirt or sand, as long as the base is level. On beach sand, we set the unit on a leveling pad and stake it against wind. A gentle slope is fine, but a steep one can tip a unit. Driveways and concrete pads work best.
| Surface | Works? | What we do or what you should know |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway or concrete pad | Best | Flat and firm. The truck parks close and service is quick. |
| Grass lawn | Usually | Pick a flat, dry spot. Tell us about soft ground, sprinkler heads or septic lines. |
| Gravel or packed dirt | Usually | Common on job sites. Rake out ruts so the unit sits level. |
| Beach sand | With a pad | We level the unit on a pad and stake it. The truck stays on firm ground within about 25 ft. |
| Slope | Gentle only | A mild slope is fine. A steep slope can tip the unit, so pick a flat spot. |
| Pavers or new sod | Ask first | A unit is light, but the truck is not. Keep the truck on pavement. |
Tire marks on soft lawns after rain are possible. Tell us about wet spots, pavers, septic lines and sprinkler heads, and the driver keeps the truck off them. The renter covers damage beyond normal use, such as a tipped unit; the details are in the rental terms.
How far from the house, doors and food should a porta potty be?
We suggest placing a porta potty about 25 to 50 feet from food tables, patio doors and open windows, downwind if you can. That is practical advice, not a legal rule. It keeps odor away from guests while the unit stays easy to find. Hand-wash stations go next to the toilets.
Shade in Gulf heat
Gulfport's July highs average about 90°F. Shade from a tree or a building keeps the inside cooler and slows odor. Avoid spots that trap heat, such as against a south-facing wall.
Door direction
Face the doors toward the guests and away from the street or the neighbors. Leave about 3 feet in front of each door so it can swing open fully.
Light at night
For evening parties, put units near a porch light or path lights. Guests should not walk across dark, uneven ground to reach them.
More on odor control for summer events: keeping porta potties fresh in Gulf Coast heat.
How do you keep a porta potty from blowing over?
Keep a porta potty upright in Gulf wind by placing it out of open, exposed spots, close to a wall or fence line, and staking it on windy sites. We stake and anchor units on beach sites. When a named storm threatens between June 1 and November 30, we call to pick up or tie down units.
Hurricane season dates come from NOAA's National Hurricane Center. After a storm, we bring units back for cleanup crews. Read the hurricane-season rental plan for job sites.
What does a wheelchair-accessible unit or restroom trailer need?
A wheelchair-accessible unit needs a level spot and a firm, flat route to its 32-inch door, with no steps, deep sand or loose gravel on the way. A restroom trailer needs a level spot, a standard 110V, 20-amp outlet within about 100 feet and a garden-hose connection. We can bring a water tank instead.
Accessible unit rules for public events come from the 2010 ADA Standards. Trailer setup is covered on the restroom trailer rental page.
Not sure your spot works?
Text a photo of the spot when you call. We tell you before delivery day if the truck can reach it.
How do you prepare for porta potty delivery?
Prepare for porta potty delivery in 6 steps: pick a level spot within about 25 feet of where the truck can park, measure the gate, clear the path, mark the spot, share gate codes and hazards, and keep your phone on. The driver calls or texts about 30 minutes before arriving.
- Pick the spotFirm, level ground, about 25 feet or less from where the truck can park, away from food and doors.
- Measure the gateAbout 4 feet for a standard unit and about 6 feet for an accessible unit.
- Clear the pathMove parked cars, trailers, toys and hoses. Note low wires and tree limbs over the drive.
- Mark the spotSet a cone, flag or ribbon where the unit goes, or text us a photo or map pin. You do not need to be home.
- Share access detailsGate codes, locked gates, dogs in the yard, soft spots, septic lines and a second contact name.
- Watch for the driverDeliveries run Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can request a morning window.
Placement and delivery questions
Can you put it in the backyard?
A backyard works when the gate is wide enough and the truck can park within about 25 feet of the unit. The pump hose has to reach it for service and pickup. If the backyard is farther, a spot near the side gate or driveway is the usual fix.
We don't have a street address. How do I tell you where?
Text us a GPS pin or coordinates, or describe a landmark such as a gate, barn or sign. A ZIP code is enough for a quote. For delivery, the driver needs the pin plus a cone or flag at the exact spot.
Can I move the porta potty after it's delivered?
Please call us instead of moving it. A used unit holds waste and can spill or tip, and the next service visit or pickup goes to the spot we set it. Call (228) 261-9696 and we can move it on a service visit.
Will the truck tear up my yard?
The truck stays on the driveway, street or firm ground whenever it can. Tell us about soft or wet spots, new sod, pavers and septic lines before delivery. If the only route crosses soft lawn, the driver talks with you before driving on it.
Can it sit right next to the pool or patio?
A unit can sit near a pool or patio if the ground is level and the truck can reach it. We suggest about 25 to 50 feet from where people eat and swim, downwind if possible, so odor stays away from guests.
Can a porta potty go on a beach for a wedding?
A porta potty can go on sand. We level it on a pad and stake it against wind. The truck still needs firm ground within about 25 feet, and county beach events need a Beach Event application first.
Get an itemized quote
Six quick fields. We call back with a full price, usually within 30 minutes during business hours.
Check your spot before delivery day
Call or send the form with your ZIP and a short note about the spot: gate width, surface and where the truck can park. We confirm it works before we schedule delivery.
(228) 261-9696Monday–Saturday, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. · Closed Sunday
- Same-day delivery in Gulfport when you call by 11 a.m.
- One itemized price: delivery, pickup, service, tax
- Weekly cleaning on monthly rentals
- Local and owner-run: Joaquin answers most calls himself