Updated October 2026 · By Daniel Tom, owner, Bay Area Sanitation
Short answer: Most standard rentals run about $170–$225, covering up to 28 days (see current prices). Your total depends on the unit type, how many you need, how long you keep them, and whether the city requires a street permit. Event rentals are a flat rate for up to a week. Construction bills every 28 days with weekly service.
What does a porta potty rental cost in San Francisco and the Bay Area?
We post our prices online instead of making you call for them. Most standard rentals run about $170–$225, covering up to 28 days, and the exact price for each unit is on the products page. Restroom trailers are quoted per job because the size, the number of days and the water and power hookups vary too much for one price.
Prices you see on other sites will vary a lot. Some list a daily rate, some a weekly rate and some a 28-day rate, and some leave delivery, pickup or servicing out of the headline number. Before comparing two quotes, check that they cover the same rental period and the same services.
Which unit do I need, and what comes with it?
| Unit | What’s inside | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard restroom | Toilet, urinal, ventilation and hand sanitizer | Construction sites, remodels, casual events |
| Deluxe flushable restroom | Hands-free foot-pump flush, mirror and an interior sink with running water | Weddings, parties and events where guests expect a sink |
| ADA restroom | Extra interior space, handrails and a ground-level entry | Public events, and any guest or worker who needs an accessible unit |
| Hand wash station | Foot pumps, soap and paper towels | Food service, job sites and any unit without a sink |
| Restroom trailer | Multiple stalls, flushing toilets, sinks and air conditioning | Weddings, corporate events and long events. Needs water and power on site |
What makes the total go up or down?
- Unit type. Deluxe and ADA units cost more than a standard unit. A hand wash station is the lowest-cost add-on.
- Number of units. More guests or workers means more units. See “How many porta potties do I need?” below.
- Rental length. Event rentals are a flat rate for up to a week. Construction rentals bill every 28 days until you call for pickup.
- Servicing. Construction rentals include weekly service. Servicing is optional on every unit, and you can add extra visits for busy sites or long events.
- Placement and access. Our drivers place units in front of the property, no more than 25 feet from the street. We don’t place units in backyards. If the unit has to go on a sidewalk or in the street, the city may require a permit, and permit fees are paid to the city, not to us.
- Changes after delivery. Moving a unit to a new spot or making the driver wait more than 15 minutes on site can add a charge. Both are covered in our terms and conditions.
How many porta potties do I need?
For events, a common starting point is one unit for every 50 guests at an event of about four hours. Add units for longer events and when alcohol or food is served, and add a hand wash station wherever food is involved. If you rent a cluster of units for the public, plan for at least 5% of the units in each cluster, and never fewer than one, to be accessible. That is the ADA rule for portable toilet clusters, explained in the U.S. Access Board, Guide to the ADA Standards, Chapter 6: Toilet Rooms.
For construction in California, Cal/OSHA requires at least one toilet for every 20 employees of each sex. With fewer than five employees, one single-user all-gender unit is enough. See Title 8 §1526. You also need washing facilities: at least one for every 20 employees, set up outside a non-flush toilet and not attached to it, under Title 8 §1527. Our OSHA and Cal/OSHA porta potty guide walks through the math.
Do I need a permit to put a porta potty on the street in San Francisco?
You need one if the unit sits on the sidewalk or in the street. The permit comes from San Francisco Public Works, not SFMTA. Short-term placements, typically under seven days, use the Temporary Occupancy permit. Construction placements use the Street Space permit. Public Works asks for a clear pedestrian path, at least 4 feet wide and 6 feet in commercial areas, along with proof of insurance. Approval can take up to five business days, and temporary no-parking signs have to be posted 72 hours ahead. Other cities have their own versions, such as Oakland’s Obstruction Permit and San José’s encroachment permit. If the unit stays on private property, such as a driveway or front yard, you usually don’t need a street permit.
How far ahead should I book?
Book event rentals at least a week ahead. For construction we need two business days for both delivery and pickup. We deliver Monday through Friday between 7 AM and 4 PM. We can’t promise a specific time, but the driver calls ahead, so we recommend scheduling delivery for the day before you need the unit.
How do payment and cancellation work for event rentals?
Event rentals take a 50% deposit when you order, with the balance due seven days before delivery. If you cancel more than seven days before delivery, you get a full refund. Cancel between seven days and two business days out and you get 50% back. Inside two business days, the full amount is charged. We don’t offer refunds for weather, so plan for rain. Full details are in our terms and conditions.
How do I compare quotes fairly?
Ask every company the same five questions:
- How many days does the price cover?
- Are delivery and pickup included?
- How many service visits are included, and what does an extra visit cost?
- Is there a damage waiver or deposit?
- Who pulls the street or sidewalk permit if one is needed?
A low headline price that leaves out servicing or a 28-day rental period often costs more by the end of the job. Our article Is a cheap porta potty rental worth it? covers this in more detail.
Where do you deliver?
We deliver across the Bay Area, including Daly City, South San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San José and San Ramon. See the full list on our Bay Area service page. For a firm price, request a quote with your address, dates and headcount.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a porta potty for a weekend party?
Event rentals are a flat rate for up to a week, so a weekend costs the same as a few days. Most standard rentals run about $170–$225, covering up to 28 days. See the products page for each unit’s price.
Is servicing included?
Construction rentals include weekly service. Servicing is optional on every unit, and you can add extra visits.
Can you put the unit in my backyard?
No. We place units in front of the property, no more than 25 feet from the street.
Do restroom trailers have a set price?
No. Trailers are quoted per job because they need water and power and setups vary. See restroom trailers.
Sources
- Cal/OSHA Title 8 §1526 Toilets
- Cal/OSHA Title 8 §1527 Washing Facilities
- U.S. Access Board, Guide to the ADA Standards, Chapter 6: Toilet Rooms
- SF Public Works Temporary Occupancy permit
- SF Public Works Street Space permit
- City of Oakland Obstruction Permit
- City of San José encroachment permits
About the author: Daniel Tom
Daniel is an owner of Bay Area Sanitation. He started working in the portable restroom industry before he graduated from San Jose State University and has 10 years of operations experience. Questions about a rental? Contact us or request a quote.