HOW MANY RESTROOMS DO YOU NEED FOR YOUR EVENT OR JOBSITE?

Sep 2

When planning an outdoor event, or even a construction project, restrooms usually aren’t the first thing people think about. But overlooking this detail can cause big headaches, from long lines and frustrated guests to fines on jobsites.

The good news? Figuring out how many restrooms you need is simple once you know the rules of thumb. This guide breaks it down for both events and construction sites, so you can plan with confidence.

Weddings, Parties, and Small Gatherings

Rule of thumb: Plan for 1 portable restroom per 50–75 guests.
If you’re serving alcohol, increase the number by about 15–20%, since guests will need them more often.
Don’t forget at least one ADA-compliant unit to accommodate all guests.

👉 Example: A 150-person outdoor wedding with alcohol should have 3–4 restrooms (instead of just 2).

Large Festivals, Fairs, and Concerts

For big, all-day events like pumpkin patches, harvest festivals, or concerts, more restrooms are essential:

At least 1 restroom per 100 guests for short events.
For full-day or multi-day events, plan closer to 1 per 50–75 guests.
Consider restroom trailers to give guests an upscale, comfortable experience.

👉 Example: A festival expecting 500 guests should plan for 8–10 restrooms, plus handwashing stations.

Farm Events & School Field Trips

Events involving kids, animals, or food need special attention:

Always provide handwashing stations with soap and water (not just sanitizer).
Place restrooms near petting zoos, food vendors, and activity hubs.
Plan for extra units to handle large groups arriving at once (like school buses).

Construction Jobsite Restroom Guidelines: OSHA Requirements

1 restroom per 10 workers if 20 or fewer employees are onsite.
For 20+ employees: at least 1 toilet seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers.
For 200+ employees: at least 1 per 50 workers.

👉 Example: A site with 100 workers should have 4 restrooms.

Other Considerations

Shift work: Add more if multiple crews overlap.
Remote sites: Schedule frequent servicing to keep units clean.
Accessibility: Include ADA-compliant units when required.

Quick Restroom Calculator

Here’s a simple cheat sheet you can use:

Events

50 guests → 1 unit
100 guests → 2 units
250 guests → 4–5 units
500 guests → 8–10 units

Construction Sites

10 workers → 1 unit
40 workers → 2 units
100 workers → 4 units
200 workers → 5 units

💡 Pro Tip: Always add handwashing stations when food, animals, or long workdays are involved.

Factors That Change the Numbers

While the above rules cover most situations, a few factors may mean you need more units:

Event length (multi-day vs. short event).
Alcohol served (increases usage).
Guest demographics (families with kids use more frequently).
Accessibility needs (ADA units).
Desired comfort level (standard units vs. restroom trailers).

Why It Pays to Plan Ahead

Booking the right number of restrooms upfront:

Saves money vs. last-minute emergency deliveries.
Prevents long lines and bad reviews.
Keeps jobsites compliant and crews productive.
Creates a better guest experience for weddings, festivals, and community events.

Plan Your Restroom Setup with SWIFT!

At SWIFT Site Rentals, we make restroom planning simple. Whether you’re managing a farmers market, or running a busy construction site, we’ll help you figure out exactly what you need and deliver clean, reliable restrooms right to your location.

👉 Contact us today for a quote and let us handle the rest.

Sarah Schonhoff