Updated October 2026 · By Daniel Tom, owner, Bay Area Sanitation
Short answer: For a Bay Area job site, plan on one toilet for every 20 workers of each sex and one hand wash station for every 20 workers. That’s the Cal/OSHA minimum. Book at least two business days ahead, place units within 25 feet of the street, and get a city permit if a unit has to sit on the sidewalk or street.
How many units does my job site need?
Start with Cal/OSHA’s rule in Title 8 §1526: at least one toilet for every 20 employees of each sex. With fewer than five employees, one single-user all-gender unit is enough. Add washing facilities under §1527: one for every 20 employees, outside the toilet and not attached to it. Our OSHA and Cal/OSHA guide has a worked example for mixed crews.
Count your peak crew, not your average. On a remodel where the framing crew is 4 people but the drywall week brings 12, size for the drywall week, or call us that week to add a unit.
Where should the unit go?
- In front of the property, no more than 25 feet from the street. Our trucks need to reach it for weekly service. We don’t place units in backyards.
- On level, firm ground, such as a driveway, a gravel pad or a level spot in the front yard.
- Out of the way of deliveries and equipment, but close to where the crew works. OSHA treats a toilet as nearby when workers can reach it in under about 10 minutes (OSHA letter, 2005).
- Not moved without asking. Our terms don’t allow moving units to back or side yards without our consent.
Do I need a permit?
If the unit stays on private property, you usually don’t. If it has to sit on the sidewalk or in the street, check with the city first:
- San Francisco: Street Space permit from SF Public Works. Public Works lists portable toilets as an item it covers.
- Oakland: Obstruction Permit. Keep a clear pedestrian path.
- San José: encroachment permit from Public Works.
The contractor or property owner pulls the permit. Permit fees are paid to the city.
How do scheduling, service and billing work?
| Item | How it works with us |
|---|---|
| Lead time | 2 business days for delivery and for pickup |
| Delivery window | Monday–Friday, 7 AM–4 PM. No set time, but the driver calls ahead. We recommend scheduling delivery for the day before the crew starts. |
| Service | Weekly service is included. You can add extra visits for big crews or hot weather. |
| Service days | Weekdays only. If a holiday or weather causes a missed service, it moves to the next business day. |
| Billing | Every 28 days until you call in a pickup |
| Price | Most standard rentals run about $170–$225, covering up to 28 days (see current prices). |
Which units work best on a job site?
- Standard restroom: a toilet, urinal, vent and hand sanitizer. This is the workhorse for most sites.
- Hand wash station: foot pumps, soap and paper towels. You need one to meet §1527 when the toilets don’t have sinks.
- Deluxe flushable unit: a flush and an interior sink. A good fit for finish work in occupied homes or for client-facing sites.
- Towable unit: a trailer-mounted unit for sites that move.
- Temporary fence: often rented alongside the restroom for the same job.
See construction porta potty rentals for details, and our local pages for Oakland, San José, Daly City and San Ramon. For a firm price, request a quote with your crew size and start date.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a construction porta potty rental?
As long as you need it. Construction rentals bill every 28 days until you call for pickup, and weekly service is included.
How fast can you deliver to a job site?
We need two business days for construction delivery. Deliveries run Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 4 PM, and the driver calls ahead.
Can the unit go in the backyard of a remodel?
No. Units go in front of the property, no more than 25 feet from the street, so the service truck can reach them. Driveways and front yards usually work well.
Can my crew move the unit?
Please don’t. Units can’t be moved to a back or side yard without our consent, and moving one can damage it or spill the tank. Call us and we’ll relocate it.
Do I need a permit for a porta potty in front of the job site?
Only if it sits on the sidewalk or in the street. In San Francisco, that’s an SF Public Works Street Space permit. Oakland and San José have their own permits.
Sources
- Cal/OSHA Title 8 §1526 Toilets
- Cal/OSHA Title 8 §1527 Washing Facilities
- OSHA interpretation letter, Feb 23, 2005
- 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.