Quick answer
How many porta potties per worker does California require?
Quick answer
California requires 1 toilet per 20 workers of each sex, or fraction thereof, plus 1 handwashing station per 20 workers, under Cal/OSHA 8 CCR §1526 and §1527. Crews under 5 may share one lockable single-user unit. Pottyline's calculator applies the ratio automatically; the compliance pack of a standard unit, women's unit and handwash station costs $479 per month.
The short answer
One toilet per 20 workers of each sex, and one handwashing station per 20 workers. That is Cal/OSHA's rule at 8 CCR §1526, which states that "a minimum of one separate toilet facility shall be provided for each 20 employees or fraction thereof of each sex," and at §1527 for washing facilities with soap and single-use towels. Fractions round up: 21 workers means 2 toilets.
The details
The rule. Count the men and the women separately, divide each by 20 and round up. Add 1 handwash station per 20 workers total, placed near the toilets, with soap and single-use towels or a dryer. Hand sanitizer does not count under §1527. Where urinals are installed, toilets must still be at least half the men's fixtures.
The exception. A crew of fewer than 5 employees may share one single-user toilet with a door that locks from the inside. That is the only time one unit covers a mixed crew. A separate matter is AB 521, which directed Cal/OSHA to add a designated single-user toilet for workers who identify as female or nonbinary; verify the current adoption status with the OSHSB before you bid, and read our AB 521 guide.
Worked examples.
| Crew | Toilets under §1526 | Handwash under §1527 | Pottyline monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 workers, any mix | 1 lockable single-user unit | 1 | $318 |
| 12 men + 3 women | 1 + 1 = 2 | 1 | $507 ($189 + $199 women's + $129) |
| 40 men | 2 | 2 | $636 |
| 36 men + 4 women | 2 + 1 = 3 | 2 | $825 |
| 100 men | 5 (urinals may be up to half) | 5 | $1,590 |
The 12-plus-3 crew is the one we quote most: a standard unit, a women's designated unit with a keyed lock, signage and a sanitary bin, and a handwash station. Bought together as the Cal/OSHA compliance pack it is $479 per month, $38 less than the three line items.
The rule versus the service interval. The code sets the minimum; the tank sets the comfort level. A 70-gallon tank on weekly service covers about 10 workers, so a 40-man site that is legal with 2 units will run better with 4, or with 2 units on twice-weekly service at $45 per unit per week. The calculator shows both numbers.
What we do at Pottyline
Enter the headcount by sex in the instant price calculator and it applies §1526 and §1527, flags the women's unit under AB 521 and prices the order by ZIP, all-in with weekly service within 25 miles of Hayward. Every service visit is photographed, GPS-stamped and texted to the superintendent, and the log exports as a PDF if an inspector asks. Approved contractors get Net-30 and one consolidated monthly invoice.
For the full rule, including urinals, field sanitation under §3457 and high-rise placement, read the Cal/OSHA construction toilet guide. For a bid on a specific site in Oakland, San Jose or anywhere in the eight Bay Area counties, the construction page has the package prices.
Size your crew to code in 30 seconds: Instant price · or call (650) 977-2883.
Frequently asked questions
How many porta potties for 40 construction workers in California?
Two toilets if all 40 are men, plus 2 handwash stations. Section 1526 counts 1 toilet per 20 employees of each sex, so 36 men and 4 women need 2 for the men and 1 for the women: 3 toilets plus 2 handwash stations. Pottyline rents standard units at $189 per month with weekly service and handwash stations at $129, so that layout runs $825 per month.
How many porta potties for 100 workers?
Five toilets per sex and 5 handwash stations. Section 1526 allows up to half the men's fixtures to be urinals, but on a portable-unit site that still means 5 toilet units for 100 men. In practice a 100-worker site runs 8 to 10 units because weekly service covers about 10 workers per unit; Pottyline adds a second weekly visit at $45 per unit when that is cheaper.
Does a 3-person crew need a porta potty in California?
Yes. Section 1526 says crews under 5 employees may share one single-user toilet with a lockable door, so one standard unit plus one handwash station satisfies the rule. Pottyline rents that pair for $318 per month within 25 miles of Hayward, including weekly service. A permanent restroom on site that is open to the crew during working hours also counts.
Is the California porta potty rule stricter than federal OSHA?
Yes. Federal OSHA 29 CFR 1926.51 allows 1 toilet for up to 20 workers, then 1 seat and 1 urinal per 40 up to 199 workers, and 1 per 50 above that. Cal/OSHA holds 1 per 20 per sex at every size and adds the 1-per-20 handwash rule, so a 100-worker site needs 5 toilets per sex in California. California employers follow the Cal/OSHA number.
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