Christmas tree lot for five weeks: one porta potty for volunteers and shoppers, and will weekly service hold up in the cold?

One standard unit is not enough for your Christmas tree lot. Your volunteers alone meet OSHA's minimum of one toilet for 20 or fewer workers, but shoppers will push usage far beyond that. On a busy Saturday with a couple hundred families, you need more units to prevent long lines and sanitation problems. The industry guideline for events is about one portable toilet per 50 to 75 people for a four-hour period, and your all-day weekends will exceed that. Plan for at least two or three units to cover both volunteers and the public, and consider an ADA-compliant portable toilet if you cluster units, as the ADA requires one accessible unit per cluster.

Weekly service is usually sufficient in cold weather because lower temperatures slow waste decomposition and reduce odor. However, heavy usage or freezing conditions might require more frequent pumping. Cold affects flushing units and handwash stations more, but a standard unit with antifreeze added to the tank should hold up.

Rental units do not typically include lighting. You will need to rig a battery-powered or solar light for safety after dark. Ensure the unit is placed on level ground with clear access for the service truck, and discuss placement with your rental company to avoid missed service visits.

Ray covered the unit count and service frequency, but missed the permit angle. Your vacant lot placement likely requires a special event permit from the city or county, especially if it's near a sidewalk or road. The rental company usually handles this, but they'll need your site details upfront. For lighting, rent a solar light add-on, it clips to the unit's roof and runs all night without cords. On placement, ensure the unit is at least 10 feet from your netting trailer to give the vacuum truck room to maneuver without blocking your operation. Gravel is fine, but confirm it's compacted so the unit doesn't shift.