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How many porta potties per person do you really need? The ratio everyone quotes vs reality ✓ Solved

Sam O.asked 0 viewsHow Many UnitsHow manyGuest countAlcoholEvent planningAda compliance

Accepted answer

For an 80-person wedding with alcohol, plan for more than the one unit per 50 people guideline. Add at least one ADA-compliant unit for accessibility and a deluxe unit with a sink to reduce wait times. Alcohol increases usage, so three or four total units would be realistic to avoid lines. Read the full answer

I'm planning a backyard wedding for about 80 people, four hours long, with beer and wine. Everyone keeps telling me the one porta potty per 50 people rule, but that feels way too optimistic. We're on grass, the truck can pull right up, but I'm worried about lines and what happens when people drink. Do I need a standard unit and a deluxe unit with a sink? What about an ADA-compliant unit for older guests? Does the one per 50 rule actually work for events with alcohol, or do you always add more?

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✓ Accepted by Sam O.

Jules T.Sacramento, CA

For an 80-person wedding with alcohol, plan for more than the one unit per 50 people guideline. Add at least one ADA-compliant unit for accessibility and a deluxe unit with a sink to reduce wait times. Alcohol increases usage, so three or four total units would be realistic to avoid lines.

The one per 50 rule is a starting point from industry charts, but it assumes no alcohol and shorter events. For a four-hour wedding with drinks, you need extra capacity. An ADA unit is required by the 2010 ADA Standards if you have a cluster of portable toilets, and it helps older guests. A deluxe unit with running water improves comfort.

Service frequency depends on use: weekly is standard, but for a one-day event, your rental company will service after. Since you have truck access, placement is easy. The cost is driven by unit type, rental duration, and service needs, not per person.

  • Sam O. Thanks, Jules. I'm going to call the rental company tomorrow and ask for a quote on a standard unit, a deluxe with a sink, and an ADA unit.
2
Priya N.Tampa, FL

The one per 50 people guideline is a starting point, but for an 80-person wedding with alcohol, you need more units. Jules and Hector covered the unit count well, but they did not mention the health department rules that some cities apply to events serving food and drink. Your permit application may require a specific restroom plan. The rental company will ask about alcohol service to determine if you need extra service visits during the event, even though it's only four hours. Alcohol increases fluid intake, which fills the holding tank faster. Since you have truck access, confirm the service schedule in writing to avoid a missed service due to blocked units.

  • Sam O. I'll ask the rental company for a written service schedule and check if Portland requires a restroom plan for our block party permit.
1
Hector V.Phoenix, AZ

Jules is right about adding units, but misses the ADA cluster rule. The 2010 ADA Standards require at least one ADA-compliant unit per cluster when you have multiple portable toilets. For 80 people with alcohol, I'd use three standard units and one ADA unit. Alcohol means more use, so the one per 50 guideline is too low. A deluxe unit with a sink helps, but it needs a fresh water tank and gray water disposal. Your truck access makes service easy, but tell the rental company about the event duration and alcohol to set the right service schedule.

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