Did you know that the demand for porta potties has increased exponentially this year? Due to a rise in outdoor events, portable restroom companies are struggling to keep them in stock. With suppliers facing similar challenges, it looks like this trend is going to continue.
Are you thinking about renting porta potties for your next event but aren’t sure how to begin the process? Because of the high demand for them, it’s a good idea to do your research and know the ins and outs of portable restrooms before you go to book them. Here’s a quick guide to porta potty rental.
What Is a Porta Potty?
First things first: what is a porta potty? While most people are familiar with the concept of portable outdoor toilets, they come in a wide variety of types. They can be as simple as the single stall outhouse style, or as elaborate as generator-powered multi-stall affairs that include flushable toilets and showers.
Unlike regular toilets, porta potties do not utilize plumbing. Instead, they are equipped with basins that can be emptied, sanitized, and then reused for future events. While some can be hooked up to sinks with running water, most offer a hand sanitizer dispenser.
Do Permit Research
The first step on your porta potty research journey is to find out whether or not you need a permit. This varies from state to state, so check with your local county’s health department first. Even if you don’t need a permit for that, you will most likely need a special event permit for parks and other outdoor venues.
Rental Company Permit
The next permit that you need to investigate is the one belonging to the porta potty rental company. They must have an annual operating permit and any other necessary city and state permits to transport and service the toilets. Check that the permits are up to date before booking the porta potty rental service so that you avoid any bureaucratic snags.
ADA Requirements
Another key point to consider is that you will need to ensure that you have an adequate amount of handicapped-accessible restrooms. This must follow the Americans With Disabilities Act or ADA. That translates to 5% of the porta-potties at the event being handicapped stalls.
Think About Placement
Choose your location carefully. You will want to have them as far away as possible from the food, and the reception tent–though not so removed that the guests have a huge hike to get to the facilities. Remember that depending on the type of event, some guests might be wearing high heels so try to avoid a long trek in the grass to get to it.
Porta Potty Rental Types
One of the most important things to think about is, what is the best porta potty rental type for your event? If it is a casual event then a standard porta might suffice, but if it is fancier, you may want to get a deluxe type that suits the venue. Here are the different porta potty types.
Standard
These are the most common porta potty rentals, as they have a basic setup. Most will have a toilet, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer, though a “standard with sink version” will come with a handwashing sink. They have a locking mechanism that indicates whether the unit is vacant or not.
Flushable
Unlike the standard porta potties out there, a flushable one is exactly as advertised: it flushes. Users step on a foot-activated pedal on the floor to flush, and there is either a small sink or hand sanitizer as well. This model offers a more comfortable restroom experience than the standard loo.
Deluxe
If you really want a fancy-pants portable, look no further than the deluxe model. These bathroom beauties provide hot and cold running water in addition to their flushing toilets. They are ideal for upmarket wedding receptions and other elegant outdoor events.
ADA
Handicapped-accessible restrooms are a necessity at any event, so be sure to book the correct percentage of them for yours. They are larger than standard porta-potties, have anti-slip flooring, and are ground level for easy access. Plus, they usually incorporate handrails and other safety features for ease of use.
Solar
Are you going green for your next event? Then you might want to consider renting solar porta-potties. These environmentally-friendly toilets are solar-powered, making them ideal for events that want either heat or cooling abilities in the restrooms along with flushing toilets, running water, and lighting.
Rental Timeframe
The next question to think about if you are going to rent a porta-potty is the duration of the rental. How long is your event? Establish whether you will need the rental for hours, days, weeks, or even a month and negotiate the rental cost with your porta potty rental company when renting for an event.
Ready to Rent a Porta Potty for Your Event?
Now that you’ve learned all about the requirements for a porta potty rental, you can book yours with confidence. Plan ahead to make sure you have enough time to get the necessary permits and do your research when deciding about a portable toilet rental company. By following these steps you should be able to find a type of porta potty that suits both your needs and budget.
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