This post is the written version of episode 2 of our podcast, Porta Potty Rentals: Let's Talk Flush. It covers how many accessible portable toilets the City of Tampa guidance asks for at outdoor events in public areas, and where those units need to stand so a guest can use them. The sources are listed at the end of the post.
An accessible unit has to be reachable
An accessible portable toilet placed on soft grass behind a hedge counts on paper, but a guest in a wheelchair may not be able to use it. The City of Tampa publishes a short guide on ADA compliance for outdoor events, and it covers both how many accessible units you need and where they go.
How many accessible units the city guidance asks for
For portable toilets in public areas, the city guide says each group of portable toilets must include ADA compliant units totaling 5 percent of the group, but no fewer than one.
The minimum applies per group. A cluster of four standard units still gets one accessible unit beside it. If you set two restroom areas at opposite ends of a park, each area gets its own accessible unit.
This matches the federal standard. Section 213.2 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design uses the same rule for clustered portable units: at least 5 percent, and no fewer than one, in each cluster must be accessible.
Tampa's rules for special events add a separate line. When the promoter supplies the portable restrooms, at least 10 percent of the units must be ADA compliant. Check which document applies to your venue and permit, and plan to the higher number.
Where accessible units have to go
Placement is the part that gets missed. The city guide says wheelchair accessible units must be positioned along an accessible route of travel, with enough space for a person in a wheelchair to move into position, open the door and enter. It also says ADA units should have maneuvering space, grab bars and dispensers within reach.
The city's special event rules include details that touch the restroom area as well:
- Aisles and walkways within an event must be at least 60 inches wide.
- Any electrical extension cord or water hose crossing a public pathway needs an ADA cord cover.
- Barricades used to block streets must not interfere with accessible routes or curb ramps.
A good test is to walk the route from the entrance to the restroom area and picture it from a wheelchair: firm surface, enough width, and no hose or cable across the path.
What our accessible unit offers
Our ADA-accessible unit has a wheelchair-accessible layout with a wide doorway, ground-level entry, room to turn and interior support rails. Like any unit, it needs firm, level ground to sit on, and our truck has to be able to reach the spot for delivery and servicing.
Planning your restroom area
When you call, tell us whether the event is open to the public and describe the paths from the gate to where the restrooms will stand. If the event is public, an accessible unit is usually expected and often required. We will flag a spot that will not work while we have you on the phone.
Quick recap
- City of Tampa guidance: each group of portable toilets in public areas includes ADA compliant units totaling 5 percent of the group, no fewer than one.
- 2010 ADA Standards, section 213.2: the same 5 percent, no fewer than one, for clustered portable units.
- Tampa special event rules: at least 10 percent ADA compliant units when the promoter supplies the restrooms. Plan to the higher figure.
- Place accessible units on an accessible route, with room to approach, open the door and enter.
- Walkways at least 60 inches wide, with cord covers over hoses and cables that cross a path.
Sources
- City of Tampa, ADA Compliance for Outdoor Events: https://www.tampa.gov/sites/default/files/document/2026/ada-compliance-for-outdoor-events-04.2026.pdf
- City of Tampa, Rules for Special Events: https://www.tampa.gov/sites/default/files/document/2026/rules-for-special-event-parks_0.pdf
- U.S. Department of Justice, 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, section 213.2: https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/design-standards/2010-stds/
Read the full episode transcript
Host 2: An accessible unit parked on soft grass behind a hedge counts on paper. For a guest in a wheelchair, it might as well be missing.
Host 1: The City of Tampa publishes a short guide on ADA compliance for outdoor events. It covers portable toilets in public areas, and it is specific.
Host 2: Each group of portable toilets has to include ADA compliant units totaling five percent of the group, and no fewer than one.
Host 1: So a cluster of four standard units still gets one accessible unit beside it. The minimum is per group. If you set two restroom areas at opposite ends of a park, each area gets its own.
Host 2: That matches the federal standard too. The twenty ten ADA Standards, section two thirteen point two, use the same five percent, no fewer than one, for clustered units.
Host 1: Separately, the city's special event rules ask for at least ten percent ADA compliant units when the promoter supplies the restrooms. Check which document applies to your venue, and plan to the higher number.
Host 2: Placement is the part that gets missed. The guide says wheelchair accessible units must sit along an accessible route of travel, with room for a person in a wheelchair to move into position, open the door, and enter.
Host 1: The city rules add details that touch the restroom area. Aisles and walkways inside an event need to be at least sixty inches wide. Any extension cord or water hose crossing a public path needs an ADA cord cover.
Host 2: What does our accessible unit offer once someone reaches it?
Host 1: A wheelchair accessible layout with a wide doorway, ground level entry, room to turn, and interior support rails. It needs firm, level ground to sit on, and our truck has to reach that spot for delivery and servicing.
Host 2: When you call, tell us whether the event is open to the public and describe the paths from the gate to the restroom area. We will flag a spot that will not work while we have you on the phone.
Host 2: That wraps this one. We are Tampa Porta Potty Rentals Pristine, at two thousand two North Lois Avenue, suite eight sixty one, Tampa. Call eight one three, five one eight, eight four three two. The phones are open seven days a week, from seven in the morning until nine at night.
About Tampa Porta Potty Rentals Pristine
Tampa Porta Potty Rentals Pristine, 2002 N Lois Ave #861, Tampa, FL 33607. Call +1-813-518-8432, open daily 7AM to 9PM.
We rent standard and deluxe porta potties, ADA-accessible units, restroom trailers and handwash stations across Tampa. Booking is by phone.