If you’re planning a wedding, hosting a festival, or running a construction site, one question matters for both comfort and compliance: are handicap accessible porta potties available? The answer is yes — and in many cases, they’re required by law.
At Light It Up – Rent To Go, we provide ADA-compliant porta potty rentals across Rockland, Orange, and Sullivan County, NY. These units are larger, wheelchair-accessible, and designed to meet the needs of all guests and workers. Let’s look at what ADA porta potties include, why they’re important, and how to plan for them.
What Makes a Porta Potty ADA-Compliant?
- Wider Doorways: Easy entry for wheelchairs and walkers.
- Spacious Interiors: Turning radius of at least 60” for maneuverability.
- Flat, Ground-Level Entry: No steps or raised thresholds.
- Handrails: Interior grab bars for safety and support.
- Easy-to-Use Fixtures: Designed at accessible heights.
ADA-compliant porta potties aren’t just larger — they’re purpose-built. Someone using a wheelchair, cane, or stroller can enter, turn around, and exit safely. For a wedding in Orange County, one ADA unit served grandparents, parents with strollers, and guests with mobility issues. Everyone felt included, and the family avoided stressful accessibility gaps.
Handicap Accessible vs. ADA-Compliant Porta Potties
- Standard Porta Potty: Compact, functional, but not accessible
- Handicap Accessible Unit: Larger interior, easier entry, but not always built to ADA specifications.
- ADA-Compliant Porta Potty: Meets federal standards, with turning space, handrails, and level entry.
This difference matters. At a Sullivan County festival, organizers first considered larger “accessible” units but upgraded to ADA-compliant rentals after learning about legal requirements. The change not only kept them compliant but also made the event friendlier to families with strollers and older attendees.
Legal and Compliance Considerations
- Events: ADA guidelines recommend 5% of portable restrooms at public events be ADA-compliant.
- Construction Sites: OSHA requires accessible restrooms based on crew size and needs.
- Corporate Gatherings: Companies are expected to follow accessibility standards for staff and guests.
Beyond the law, accessibility shows respect. For example, a Manhattan corporate event rented a luxury restroom trailer with an ADA stall, not just to comply but to show inclusivity for employees and clients.
How Many ADA Units Do You Need?
- Weddings and Festivals: At least 1 ADA unit for every 20 porta potties, or 5% of the total.
- Construction Sites: 1 ADA unit per job site or as required by OSHA.
- Best Practice: Place at least one ADA unit in every restroom cluster for convenience.
For a festival in Monticello, organizers rented 20 porta potties plus 2 ADA-compliant units. They placed them at high-traffic areas — near the main entrance and food vendors — to maximize accessibility. Guests noticed and appreciated the thoughtful planning.
Event Planning Tips for ADA Units
- Placement: Position ADA units on flat, stable ground close to entrances and gathering spaces.
- Visibility: Keep them easy to find, not tucked away.
- Integration: Place ADA units alongside standard porta potties so guests don’t feel separated.
- Lighting: For evening events, ensure clear access paths and visibility.
At a backyard wedding in Warwick, NY, the ADA unit was placed right beside two standard porta potties near the reception tent. The result? Guests used whichever unit was available, and no one felt singled out.




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