Not legal advice: This page explains public rules in plain words. It is not legal advice. Read the current rule text and confirm with your safety officer or general contractor.
What does Cal/OSHA require for jobsite toilets in California?
Cal/OSHA Title 8 §1526 requires at least 1 jobsite toilet for every 20 employees, or fraction of 20, of each sex. A crew of fewer than 5 workers may share 1 single-user, all-gender toilet. Each toilet must be kept clean and stocked with toilet paper. California construction sites follow this state rule.
Read the rule text at Cal/OSHA Title 8 §1526 (dir.ca.gov). “Fraction of 20” means you round up: 21 workers of one sex need 2 toilets, not 1.
Jobsite toilet calculator (Cal/OSHA)
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Based on Cal/OSHA Title 8 §1526: at least 1 toilet per 20 employees or fraction of 20, of each sex. Confirm requirements with your safety officer.
How is Cal/OSHA §1526 different from federal OSHA 1926.51?
Cal/OSHA §1526 counts 1 toilet per 20 workers of each sex, rounded up. Federal OSHA 29 CFR 1926.51(c) uses Table D-1: 1 toilet for 20 or fewer workers, then 1 seat and 1 urinal per 40 workers above 20, and 1 seat and 1 urinal per 50 above 200. The California count is stricter for bigger crews.
| Topic | Cal/OSHA Title 8 §1526 | Federal OSHA 1926.51(c) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it covers | Construction in California | Construction under federal OSHA |
| Basic ratio | 1 toilet per 20 employees or fraction, of each sex | 20 or fewer: 1 toilet |
| Larger crews | Keeps counting 1 per 20 | 20+: 1 seat + 1 urinal per 40; 200+: 1 seat + 1 urinal per 50 |
| Small crews | Under 5 workers: 1 single-user all-gender toilet ok | Covered by the 20-or-fewer row |
| Upkeep | Clean, stocked with toilet paper | See 1926.51 text |
| Rule text | dir.ca.gov/title8/1526 | osha.gov 1926.51 |
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How many jobsite toilets does my crew need under Cal/OSHA?
Under Cal/OSHA §1526, a crew of 20 workers of one sex needs 1 jobsite toilet, 21 to 40 workers need 2, and 41 to 60 need 3. Mixed crews are counted separately for each sex. Crews under 5 workers can use 1 single-user, all-gender toilet. These counts are minimums, not service plans.
| Workers on site (one sex) | Cal/OSHA §1526 minimum | Our service recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 1–4 | 1 (single-user, all-gender ok) | 1 unit, weekly service |
| 5–10 | 1 | 1 unit, weekly service |
| 11–20 | 1 | 2 units weekly, or 1 unit serviced 2x/week |
| 21–40 | 2 | 3–4 units weekly, or 2 units 2x/week |
| 41–60 | 3 | 5–6 units weekly, or 3 units 2x/week |
The right column is our planning advice from servicing real jobs, not a legal rule. A crew of 12 men and 3 women needs at least 1 toilet for each group under §1526. More detail is on our construction site toilet page.
What are the field sanitation rules for farm crews?
Cal/OSHA Title 8 §3457 sets field sanitation rules for agricultural work: 1 toilet and 1 handwashing facility for every 20 employees. Both must be within a 1/4-mile walk or 5 minutes of where employees work. This farm rule pairs handwashing with every toilet, which construction rules do not spell out the same way.
Read the text at Cal/OSHA Title 8 §3457 (dir.ca.gov). For crews that move across a field, towable units help keep toilets within the distance limit. Ask about seasonal porta potty rentals for harvest work.
Do jobsite toilets need handwashing stations?
Federal OSHA 1926.51(f) requires washing facilities on construction sites, and Cal/OSHA §3457 requires 1 handwashing facility per 20 farm workers. A standard porta potty has only a hand sanitizer dispenser. For a real sink, add a 2-station PolyJohn Bravo hand wash station or rent a unit with a built-in sink.
The Bravo has 2 foot pumps, a 22-gallon fresh tank and is rated by the maker at nearly 350 hand washes per fill. On busy sites with food trucks or concrete work, plan 1 station per 3 toilets. See hand wash station rental.
How often must a jobsite porta potty be cleaned?
Cal/OSHA §1526 says jobsite toilets must be kept clean and stocked with toilet paper, but it does not set a fixed number of cleanings. David Rental Works services every long-term unit once a week. We recommend 2 services per week when more than about 10 workers share 1 unit on a 40-hour week.
Privacy matters too. Every PolyJohn PJN3 has a door with an occupancy latch, a vent and a translucent roof for daylight. Keep units upright and level so the door closes and latches.
- Weekly pump, wash, sanitize and restock is included on 28-day rentals.
- Each visit is logged with the date.
- Extra visits can be added by phone.
What do jobsite inspectors look for with porta potties?
Jobsite inspectors and safety officers commonly check 5 things on porta potties: enough toilets for the crew size, units that are clean, toilet paper in stock, handwashing nearby, and toilets that are easy for workers to reach. Service records help show the units are kept up. Requirements vary by site, so ask your safety officer.
- Count: toilets match the crew at its largest, per sex.
- Clean: no overflow, odor under control, floor clean.
- Stocked: toilet paper and sanitizer filled.
- Close by: not hidden at the far end of a large lot.
- Records: a service log or invoice showing visit dates.
- Paperwork: a certificate of insurance if the GC asks; we email it the same day.
What does David Rental Works recommend beyond the legal minimum?
David Rental Works recommends about 1 porta potty per 10 workers on weekly service, which is double the §1526 minimum of 1 per 20. A crew of 20 can use 1 unit, but that unit fills fast on a 40-hour week. Add a hand wash station on sites with food or heavy dirt work.
This is our recommendation, separate from the law. The law is the floor; servicing keeps the unit usable. See our porta potty sizing guide and long-term servicing options.
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Questions customers ask before booking
Real questions from our customer calls, answered by our dispatch team.
How many porta potties do I need for 25 workers in California?
Cal/OSHA §1526 requires at least 2 for 25 workers of one sex, because you round up per 20. Mixed crews count each sex separately. We usually suggest 3 units or 2 units serviced twice a week.
Do you have insurance? Our jobsite needs a certificate.
Yes. We email a certificate of insurance the same day you ask during business hours.
Is a hand sanitizer dispenser enough for Cal/OSHA?
Check with your safety officer. A standard unit has sanitizer only; many sites add a hand wash station with soap and water to be safe.
Can 4 workers share one toilet with no separate men’s and women’s units?
Yes. Under §1526, a crew of fewer than 5 workers may use 1 single-user, all-gender toilet.
How much is a jobsite porta potty with weekly service?
A standard unit starts at $165 per 28 days with weekly service, plus $60 one-time delivery and pickup. Typical starting price as of October 2026; your itemized quote is final.
Can I bill it to our accounts payable?
Yes. Contractors can apply for net-30 invoicing. Approval takes about 2 business days.