Can a standard porta potty accommodate a wheelchair user temporarily?

Question

We're remodeling our only bathroom, so we have a standard portable toilet on our driveway for the next six weeks. My dad uses a wheelchair and will be staying with us for a few days. The driveway is level gravel, and a truck can pull right up to it. I'm wondering if a standard unit could work for him temporarily, or if we need to upgrade to an ADA-compliant unit or even a restroom trailer. The standard one is pretty tight inside, and the step up looks tricky. Has anyone made a standard porta potty work for a wheelchair user, or is it just not feasible? What are the real differences in space and access between a standard and an ADA unit?

Jake W. · Answer

A standard unit won't work for a wheelchair user, so swap one in for an [ADA unit](https://portapotty.forum/glossary/ada-unit/) for the days your dad is there.

I do bathroom remodels and we run into this every few months with older homeowners. The [standard unit](https://portapotty.forum/glossary/standard-unit/) has a raised floor you step up into, a narrow door, and no room to turn a chair once you're inside. Even with help, the transfer happens half in and half out the door, which is how people get hurt.

The ADA unit is built around the 2010 ADA Standards:

- Ground level entry, no step up
- Door with at least 32 inches of clear opening
- A 60 inch turning space inside so the chair can rotate
- Grab bars beside and behind the seat for the transfer
- Seat height in the 17 to 19 inch range

Your level gravel pad is fine for it. Put a sheet of plywood in front of the door so the wheels don't sink in the gravel, and keep the door side clear. Ask the rental office if they can swap the standard for the ADA unit during the visit rather than adding a second one, since you're tight on driveway. A restroom trailer is overkill for a few days and most of them have steps anyway.

Can a standard porta potty accommodate a wheelchair user temporarily?

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