Portable Toilet Questions for Washington, DC
The questions below cover the points people ask most often about portable toilets in the District: counts, accessibility, permits, waste, delivery and pickup.
- Standard units, ADA units and handwash stations
- Construction sites, festivals and private events
- Delivery, servicing and pickup scheduled around your dates
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Counts and accessibility
How many units does an event need?
No fixed ratio applies as a rule. The count is set from the expected crowd at the busiest hour, the length of the event and the food and drink sales.
How many accessible units are required?
The 2026 MSETG special event guide requires at least 20 percent to be accessible, with one at each location.
Does a construction crew need an accessible unit?
Where a crew member uses a wheelchair, a usable accessible unit is planned on the route from the work area.
Are handwash stations included?
They are added beside the food areas and the unit clusters where the plan calls for them.
Permits and placement
Do I need a permit for a unit on the street?
Yes. A unit on public space needs the DDOT public space permit, filed at least 30 days ahead, with the site plan.
What comes before the other permits for an event?
The Mayor's Special Events Task Group gives conditional approval first, run by HSEMA.
Can a unit go in a park?
Only under the DC Parks permit route. Parks does not provide portable toilets.
Who sets the rules in Arlington or Montgomery County?
Each county and city sets its own rules, and the spot is checked with it before booking.
Waste, delivery and pickup
Where does the waste go?
A hauler with the DC Water permit takes the load to the Blue Plains septage facility.
How is the unit delivered to a rowhouse?
The truck stops where the route allows, and the crew carries the unit to the approved spot.
When is the unit picked up?
After the final servicing visit, on the removal date agreed with the site lead.
Question not answered here?
Call and ask. A technician will give you a straight answer, even if the answer is that you do not need us.