Guide · Updated October 14, 2026
Porta Potty Placement Checklist for Yards, Driveways and Job Sites
Get the spot right once and delivery, service and pickup all go smoothly.
What makes a good porta potty spot?
A good porta potty spot is level, firm and within 25 feet of where a truck can park. It sits at least 10 feet from doors, windows and food, out of the way of traffic, and easy for users to find. The service technician must reach the back of the unit every week.
- Level within 2 inches across the base
- Firm ground: pavement, gravel, packed dirt or dry mowed grass
- Truck path at least 10 feet wide and 12 feet high
- No overhead wires or low branches
- Not over septic tanks, sprinkler heads or buried lines
Will a porta potty fit through my gate?
A standard porta potty is 43.5 inches wide and 47 inches deep, so a 4-foot gate is the tight minimum and a 5-foot gate is comfortable for the crew. A wheelchair-accessible unit is 62 inches square and needs a 6-foot opening. Restroom trailers need a 12-foot path.
| Unit | Width × depth | Gate needed |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 43.5 × 47 in | 5 ft comfortable |
| Flushing | 47 × 47 in | 5 ft |
| Wheelchair-accessible | 62 × 62 in | 6 ft |
| Hand washing station | 21.5 × 26.5 in | 3 ft |
| Restroom trailer | Trailer | 12 ft path |
How should units face?
Units should face away from the main seating or work area for privacy, with the door on the side away from prevailing wind. In Cortez summers, turning the door away from afternoon west sun keeps the inside cooler and lowers odor. In winter, face the door south so ice melts off the step.
How do I mark the spot for delivery?
Mark the spot with a cone, a flag or a chalk X, and text a photo with an arrow to (970) 239-2060. Note gate codes, dogs, sprinkler heads and soft spots. The driver sets the unit on your mark and texts a photo back.