Where can a porta potty be placed at a Whittier home or jobsite?
A porta potty can be placed on any flat, firm spot within 15 feet of where our truck can park. The path to the spot should be about 4 feet wide, and the truck spot needs no overhead wires lower than 12 feet. Driveways, side yards and level lawns work at most Whittier addresses.
| Requirement | Standard | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ground | Flat and firm | A tilted unit leaks, rocks and the door won’t latch |
| Distance | Within 15 ft of the truck | Drivers move units by hand truck |
| Path width | About 4 ft clear | Room for the unit plus the dolly |
| Overhead wires | Higher than 12 ft at the truck spot | Safe truck and hose operation |
| Service access | Same path open every week | Long-term units are pumped weekly |
Put gate codes, a site contact and any slope notes on the order. The driver reads them before arriving.
How do you place porta potties on Whittier hillside streets?
Porta potty placement on Whittier hillside streets, such as Friendly Hills, College Hills and Hadley Hills in ZIP 90603, starts with finding the flattest spot near the curb. That is often the garage apron, a flat landing or the top of the driveway. A unit is never set on a steep slope or loose fill.
Hillside streets in 90603 are narrow and curved, and some have limited parking for a truck. Tell us if the street is a cul-de-sac or has a tight turn. We plan the delivery window around that.
Not sure your spot works?
Text us a photo of the spot. We tell you on the call if the truck and unit will fit.
Live answer 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Mon–Sat · online quotes answered within 30 minutes
Can a porta potty sit on a steep driveway?
A porta potty cannot sit safely on a steep driveway. The 91-inch-tall PolyJohn PJN3 weighs 175 pounds empty and holds up to 60 gallons of waste, so even a small tilt can make it rock or tip in wind. On a sloped driveway, we place the unit on the flattest landing or on a leveled plywood pad.
- Look for the flattest 4 × 4 foot spot near the top or bottom of the driveway.
- Check that the door can open fully without hitting a wall or car.
- Ask for plywood pads on pavers, stamped concrete or lawn.
- Keep the unit out of drainage paths where rain runs downhill.
- In wind season, ask us to stake or strap the unit.
We are not responsible for marks on pavers or lawns when the customer picks the spot. Plywood pads are available on request.
How wide does a gate need to be for a porta potty?
A gate needs about 48 inches of clear width for a standard porta potty, because the PolyJohn PJN3 is 43.5 inches wide and the dolly needs room. A wheelchair-accessible PolyJohn Comfort XL is 62 inches wide and needs about 66 inches. A PolyJohn Bravo hand wash station is 26.5 inches wide.
| Unit | Model | Size (W × D × H) | Clear width needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | PolyJohn PJN3 | 43.5" × 47" × 91" | About 48" |
| Deluxe flushing | PolyJohn Fleet (FS3) | 47" × 47" × 91" | Over 48"; measure and call |
| Wheelchair-accessible | PolyJohn Comfort XL | 62" × 62" × 91" | About 66" |
| Hand wash station | PolyJohn Bravo | 26.5" × 21.5" × 62" | About 30" |
Measure at the tightest point, not the gate itself. Side yards often narrow at AC units, meters or trash bins. Compare unit options on the standard porta potty page and wheelchair-accessible unit page.
How close does the delivery truck need to get?
The delivery truck needs to park within 15 feet of the porta potty spot. For a restroom trailer, the truck needs about 20 feet of straight access and level ground, plus 1 standard 15/20-amp outlet within 100 feet. Steep or narrow Whittier streets may need a planned delivery time.
Tell us about low tree branches, tight turns, shared driveways and gated communities. Leave the gate code on the order. For trailers, read the restroom trailer requirements before booking.
Do I need a permit to place a porta potty on a Whittier street?
A porta potty on a public street, sidewalk or parkway in the City of Whittier needs a Public Works encroachment permit, with a listed $120 residential fee and 24 hours’ notice at (562) 567-9500. Unincorporated areas such as South Whittier, East Whittier and West Whittier-Los Nietos need an LA County Road Encroachment Permit through EPIC-LA.
| Where the home is | Who issues the permit | How to apply |
|---|---|---|
| City of Whittier | Whittier Public Works | City permits page |
| South Whittier, East Whittier, West Whittier-Los Nietos (unincorporated) | LA County Public Works | County road permit FAQ (EPIC-LA) |
| Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights (unincorporated) | LA County Public Works | EPIC-LA |
| Your own driveway or yard | Usually none | Confirm with HOA if you have one |
Check first: This is general information, not legal advice. Your address may be in the city or the county even with a Whittier mailing address. Confirm with the permit office.
What should I check with my HOA before placing a porta potty?
Check 3 things with your HOA before placing a porta potty: whether units may be visible from the street, how many days a unit may stay, and whether trucks may use private roads. Some Whittier-area communities set rules for remodel equipment. A side-yard spot often satisfies view rules.
Get the HOA answer in writing for long remodels. A 28-day rental on a remodel may need approval. See long-term rental options and how 28-day billing works.
Should a porta potty be staked on a Whittier hillside?
A porta potty on an open Whittier hillside should be staked or strapped during Santa Ana wind season, mostly October through March, when gusts can top 40 mph. David Rental Works stakes or straps units on request and places them out of open slopes. A sheltered spot beside a wall or house is safer than an exposed ridge.
Ridge-top homes in the Whittier hills catch more wind than flat streets below. Read our Santa Ana wind and summer heat tips for more.
Book a hillside delivery
Tell us the street, the slope and the gate width. We plan the truck and the stakes.
Live answer 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Mon–Sat · online quotes answered within 30 minutes
Questions customers ask before booking
Real questions from our customer calls, answered by our dispatch team.
Can you put a porta potty on my sloped driveway?
Only on a flat landing or leveled pad. We do not set units on a steep slope. Ask for plywood pads on request.
Will the porta potty fit through my side gate?
A standard PolyJohn PJN3 needs about 48 inches clear. A wheelchair-accessible Comfort XL needs about 66 inches. Measure the narrowest point.
Do I need a permit on a South Whittier street?
Yes, if it sits in the public right-of-way. South Whittier is unincorporated LA County, so you apply for a county Road Encroachment Permit through EPIC-LA.
How much does a hillside delivery cost?
Delivery is included in event pricing; a standard event unit starts at $175 for up to 3 days with delivery and pickup. Typical starting price as of October 2026; your itemized quote is final.
Can the unit go on my lawn without damaging it?
Yes, on a plywood pad. We are not responsible for marks when the customer picks the spot, so ask for a pad.
Can the driver call a different number when he arrives?
Yes. Put the site contact’s number and any gate code on the order.