How many portable toilets do I need for my event or job site?
The answer depends on how many people use the facility and for how long. OSHA 1926.51(c)(1) sets the baseline for construction: one toilet for 20 workers or fewer, then one toilet seat and one urinal per 40 workers from 20 up to 200, and one per 50 workers at 200 or more. Events follow different math. A four-hour wedding with 100 guests typically needs 2 to 3 units. A three-day festival with the same headcount needs double that, because people use facilities more often when they're on-site longer. Chicago Porta Pros sizes your setup based on duration and occupancy. Call with your numbers and we'll quote you right. Read our how many porta potties you need guide for the full breakdown.
What's the difference between a standard porta potty and a deluxe one?
A standard porta potty rental has a 60 to 70 gallon holding tank, stands about 92 inches tall, and measures roughly 44 by 48 inches on the ground. It's a single-stall unit with a seat, waste tank and hand sanitizer. A deluxe flushable porta potty adds a flushing toilet, better ventilation, a larger holding tank and a sink with running water inside. Deluxe units cost more but they feel like a real bathroom. For construction sites in Chicago where crews work eight-hour shifts, deluxe makes sense. For short events or emergency backup, standard porta potty rental does the job. We rent both by the day, week and month.
Do you deliver and pick up, or do I rent the unit outright?
Chicago Porta Pros delivers and picks up. We drop the unit where you need it, service it on schedule, and haul it away when you're done. Placement in the public right of way needs confirming with the city before we stage it there. Restroom trailers and roll-off dumpsters need about 60 feet of straight clearance behind the truck for safe setup, per industry standard delivery specifications. We handle the whole job. You tell us when and where, we handle the rest.
What are the handwashing rules for construction sites?
OSHA 1926.51(a)(1) requires an adequate supply of potable water in all places of employment. If your crew is applying paints, coatings, herbicides or insecticides, OSHA 1926.51(f)(1) mandates washing facilities. 29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2) says washing stations must include soap and towels or a hand drying device. Hand sanitizer alone doesn't cut it. Chicago Porta Pros rents handwashing stations that run fresh water, have soap dispensers and paper towels built in. They're portable, durable and meet code. Read our handwashing requirements guide for the full details.
How often should I pump my septic tank?
A residential septic tank is typically pumped every 3 to 5 years, driven by tank size and household size. Larger tanks and smaller households go longer between services. A family of four with a 1,000 gallon tank usually pumps every three years. The only way to know for sure is to call a septic pro to inspect it. Chicago Porta Pros offers septic pumping service and can tell you when your tank needs work. We also pump grease traps when fats, oils, grease and solids reach 25 percent of the liquid depth, per industry standard service intervals.
What can't go in a dumpster?
Hazardous materials, paint, propane tanks, batteries, tires, electronics and asbestos are banned from landfills and from dumpsters. Concrete, dirt and roofing shingles are often charged by weight or volume. Always tell us what you're throwing away before you book. We can guide you to the right bin or container. See what cannot go in a dumpster for details.
Are your restroom trailers accessible?
Yes. ADA accessible porta potties meet ADA Standards section 213.2: at least 5 percent of clustered units, never fewer than one, must be accessible. A single unit needs a 36 inch minimum clear width of the accessible route per ADA Standards section 403.5.1 and a 32 inch minimum clear door opening per ADA Standards section 404.2.3. Our trailers have ramps, grab bars and a 60 inch turning circle inside per ADA Standards section 304.3.1. Luxury restroom trailers offer higher comfort for corporate events and weddings in Chicago.
How much does a porta potty cost per day?
Chicago Porta Pros charges between 100 and 350 dollars per day for a standard unit, depending on location and service frequency. Delivery runs 100 to 500 dollars. Week and month rates drop the per-unit cost. See porta potty rental per day rates and monthly rental options.
Can I rent a portable toilet for an emergency?
Yes. Chicago Porta Pros offers emergency porta potty rental with same-day delivery when possible. Call us directly and tell us what you need. We keep units staged and ready.
What's the difference between a storage container and a dumpster?
A storage container is lockable and sits for months. A roll-off dumpster is open-top and picks up full. Containers work for tools, equipment and inventory. Dumpsters work for debris. Both come in 20 and 40 foot sizes. Chicago Porta Pros delivers both.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.