Where to Put a Porta Potty: A 10-Point Placement Checklist

What kind of ground does a porta potty need?

A porta potty needs flat, level ground. A standard unit is about 44 inches wide and 7.5 feet tall, so even a small slope makes it lean and rock. Pavement, gravel, packed dirt and firm, level grass all work. Soft, muddy or sloped ground raises the risk of the unit tipping.

Check the spot before delivery day:

• Set a level, or a ball, on the ground. If the ball rolls fast, pick another spot.
• Avoid low spots where rain pools.
• Stay off septic lids, sprinkler heads, cleanouts and utility boxes.
• On soft grass, a sheet of plywood or a pallet spreads the weight.

How close to the driveway or street does a porta potty have to be?

Place the porta potty within about 15 feet of a surface our truck can drive on, like a street, driveway, alley or gravel lot. That's the reach of the pump hose. Our drivers do not drive on lawns, so a spot deep in a backyard won't work for delivery or for service.

The truck has to reach the unit twice for an event, at drop-off and pickup. A job site unit needs the truck every week for service. If the truck can't reach it, the unit can't be pumped.

The driver will not roll or dolly a unit across the yard. A full unit is heavy and can spill. Plan the spot near the curb or driveway from the start. Our residential porta potty rental page shows common home setups.

How far should a porta potty be from doors, food and wells?

Keep the porta potty about 20 feet from food tables and at least 10 feet from house doors and open windows, downwind if you can. That's our recommendation, not a law. Keep the unit as far as your lot allows from a private well, and never place it uphill of the well.

Other spacing tips:

• Leave a few feet from fences and property lines so the door swings free.
• Pick shade in summer. Sun on a blue roof warms the tank and the smell.
• Light the path for evening parties. A string of lights or a solar stake is enough.
• Face the door away from the food tent, but toward the party path.

For events with food, our hand-washing station goes right next to the toilet.

Where does a porta potty go at an Easton rowhome?

At an Easton rowhome, the porta potty usually goes at the rear on a parking pad beside the alley, or out front on a level spot near the curb. Many city blocks have narrow rear alleys with parked cars and low wires, so tell us the alley width before delivery day.

Rowhomes in the West Ward, South Side and downtown have little side yard. That leaves 2 common spots:

1. Rear parking pad or alley edge. Best if the alley is open and the truck can pull in. Trash day can block it, so pick a different day.
2. Front of the house. Works when there's a level spot that doesn't block the sidewalk.

A unit on a public sidewalk or street may need approval. Check with the City of Easton before you plan a curbside spot. More on local service is on our Easton porta potty rental page.

What if my property is on a hill, like College Hill?

On a hill, look for the flattest spot within 15 feet of the street or driveway, such as a driveway pad, a parking space or a level strip of lawn. Many College Hill streets are steep, so the driver may shift the porta potty a few feet to keep it level and stable.

Hillside tips:

• Never set the unit on stairs or a sloped walk.
• Don't park it on the steep part of a driveway. Use the flat top or bottom.
• Avoid windy ridge spots with nothing to block a gust.
• If no spot is level, call us before delivery. We'll talk through options.

The same rules apply on hilly lots in Forks Township and Bethlehem.

What should I tell the driver before delivery?

Before delivery, send us 4 things: the exact spot, any gate code, low wires or branches, and a site contact with a backup number. The driver calls 30 to 60 minutes before arrival. If the spot is clearly marked, you don't need to be home when the porta potty arrives.

Ways to mark the spot:

• A traffic cone or a stake with a flag.
• A photo of the spot, texted to us.
• A map pin drop or GPS coordinates for land with no street address.

Tell us about dogs in the yard and locked gates. If a gate needs an escort, give us the name and number of the person who will open it.

What is the full porta potty placement checklist?

Use this 10-point porta potty placement checklist the day before delivery. It covers ground, distance, clearance, access and marking. If every item checks out, the unit goes in fast and can be serviced without trouble. If one item fails, call (610) 229-3331 and we'll find another spot together.

1. The ground is flat and level.
2. The spot is within about 15 feet of pavement, gravel or an alley.
3. The truck path has no low wires or branches under about 12 feet.
4. The unit sits about 20 feet from food and 10 feet from doors and windows.
5. The spot is well away from any private well, and not uphill of it.
6. Septic lids, sprinklers and utility boxes are clear.
7. The door can swing fully open.
8. The spot is marked with a cone, stake, photo or pin drop.
9. Gate codes and a site contact are sent to us.
10. The truck can still reach the unit for service and pickup.

For parties, pair this with our graduation party porta potty guide.