Compliance guide · Reviewed October 2026
OSHA Porta Potty Requirements for Job Sites
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.51 requires 1 toilet for 20 or fewer construction workers, and 1 seat plus 1 urinal per 40 workers above that. Here is the full table, the hand-washing rule, the farm rule and how Harrisburg crews meet each one.
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How many toilets does OSHA require per worker?
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.51(c) Table D-1 requires 1 toilet for 20 or fewer workers. Sites with 20 or more workers need 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers. Sites with 200 or more workers need 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 50 workers.
| Number of employees | Minimum facilities (Table D-1) |
|---|---|
| 20 or less | 1 |
| 20 or more | 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers |
| 200 or more | 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 50 workers |
Worked example
A 46-person framing crew: 46 ÷ 40 = 1.15, rounded up = 2. OSHA minimum is 2 seats and 2 urinals, which 2 standard units cover. With weekly service we recommend 5 units (46 ÷ 10, rounded up) so the tanks last until the driver returns.
When does OSHA require hand-washing stations?
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.51(f) requires washing facilities on construction sites where workers handle paints, coatings, herbicides, insecticides or other harmful contaminants. The facilities must be near the work, kept clean, and stocked with water, soap and towels or a dryer.
For most Harrisburg remodels and roofing jobs, hand sanitizer inside each unit is enough. Painting, concrete, lead abatement and demolition crews usually add a hand-wash station.
What are the OSHA toilet rules for farms?
OSHA 29 CFR 1928.110 requires agricultural employers with 11 or more field workers to provide 1 toilet and 1 hand-washing facility for every 20 workers, within a quarter-mile walk of where they work. Facilities must be maintained in clean, sanitary condition.
Legal minimum vs. what we recommend
The OSHA minimum is a floor, not a service plan. The OSHA table counts seats, but one weekly service visit only works if the tank lasts the full week. That is why Cory Rental Works recommends 1 unit per 10 workers on weekly service, or 1 per 20 on twice-weekly service.
Calculate your exact crew count with the porta potty calculator or book on the construction rental page.
OSHA sanitation questions
Does OSHA require a porta potty on a residential remodel?
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.51 applies to construction employers, including residential remodelers, whenever employees are on site. A crew of 20 or fewer needs at least 1 toilet. A homeowner's indoor bathroom can count only if the crew has ready access to it.
Does a porta potty count if it is not serviced?
OSHA 1926.51(c) requires sanitation facilities to be maintained. An overflowing unit with no paper does not meet the rule. Weekly service is the usual minimum for a 10-person crew.
Do mobile crews need a toilet at every stop?
OSHA 1926.51(c)(4) says the toilet rule does not apply to mobile crews who have transportation readily available to nearby toilet facilities. Road crews moving between stops often rely on this.
What does OSHA require for farm workers?
OSHA 29 CFR 1928.110 requires 1 toilet and 1 hand-washing facility for every 20 field workers, located within a quarter-mile walk, when 11 or more workers are in the field.
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