Emergency Porta Potty Rental

Common emergencies that need portable toilets

Emergency requests usually fall into a few patterns. A home or business loses use of its plumbing because of a sewer backup, septic failure or broken main. A storm, flood or wildfire damages facilities across an area. A water utility issues a boil-water notice or shuts off service for repairs. Or an event gets far more people than planned and existing restrooms are overwhelmed.

In each case, the immediate goal is the same: get sanitary, usable facilities on site as quickly as possible, and then adjust the plan once the situation is clearer.

• Sewer or septic failure at a home or business
• Water main break or planned utility shutoff
• Storm, flood or wildfire damage
• Restaurant, school or office plumbing outage
• Unexpected crowd at an event
• Shelters, cleanup crews and relief sites

What to expect on rush delivery

Speed depends on factors no one fully controls. A provider may have units in the yard but no truck free until afternoon. After a regional storm, demand spikes and many providers prioritize existing customers, public agencies and critical facilities. Rural addresses take longer to reach than urban ones, and road closures after a storm can add delays even for nearby providers. Some providers charge a rush or after-hours fee; ask when you request a quote so there are no surprises.

We do not promise delivery times on behalf of providers. What we can do is send your request to providers who serve your area and tell them it is urgent, so you are not calling one company after another.

How to send an urgent request

Include everything a provider needs to say yes quickly. Missing details are the most common reason an urgent order slows down.

1. Describe the situation

   Say what happened, how many people need facilities and roughly how long you expect the outage to last.

2. Give the exact location

   Provide a full street address and where on the property the units should go.

3. Specify units

   List how many standard, accessible and hand washing units you need.

4. Share access details

   Note gate codes, parking, ground conditions and any hazards like downed lines or flooding.

5. Name an on-site contact

   Give a phone number for someone who can meet the driver or answer questions.

Choosing units for an emergency

Start with standard units for general use, add at least one accessible unit if anyone with mobility needs is affected, and include hand washing stations if running water is unavailable. For a business or school, a restroom trailer may be a better fit if the outage will last more than a few days and a power source is available, though trailers are harder to get on short notice.

If you are not sure how many units to order, our quantity guide gives rules of thumb. In an emergency, it is usually better to order slightly more and scale back than to run short.

Placement when conditions are rough

Storm and flood sites are often muddy, debris-strewn or partly blocked. Choose the highest, firmest ground available, away from standing water, and make sure the delivery truck can reach it safely. Keep units clear of downed power lines, damaged trees and unstable structures. On a flooded property, the provider may need to place units at the curb or a neighboring lot until access improves; check local rules on street placement.

Servicing and how long to keep units

Emergency rentals often start as a few days and stretch into weeks. Ask the provider to set a regular service schedule from the start, typically weekly, or more often if the units get heavy use. If the outage ends sooner, most providers will pick up early. If it runs longer, you can convert to a long-term rental. Terms vary, so read the agreement for minimum periods and cancellation rules.

Cost factors for urgent orders

We do not publish prices, since they vary by market and provider. On top of the usual factors like unit count, rental length and service frequency, urgent orders can be affected by rush delivery, after-hours or weekend service and high regional demand after a disaster. See porta potty prices for the full list, and ask about any emergency fees up front.