OSHA Porta Potty Rules for Central Texas Job Sites
By the Frank Rental Works operations team · Published and reviewed October 5, 2026
Which OSHA rules cover porta potties in Texas?
Texas has no state OSHA plan for private employers, so federal rules apply on every Killeen-area job. Construction follows 29 CFR 1926.51(c), general industry follows 29 CFR 1910.141, and farm field work follows 29 CFR 1928.110. Each rule sets a minimum number of toilets by headcount.
Construction: Table D-1 in 29 CFR 1926.51
Construction sites with up to 20 workers need 1 toilet. Sites with 21 to 199 workers need 1 seat and 1 urinal for every 40 workers. Sites with 200 or more need 1 seat and 1 urinal for every 50. Chemical toilets are allowed where no sanitary sewer is available.
| Crew size | OSHA floor (29 CFR 1926.51, Table D-1) | Worked example |
|---|---|---|
| 1–20 workers | 1 toilet | A 5-person framing crew in Killeen: 1 unit |
| 21–199 workers | 1 seat plus 1 urinal for every 40 workers | 120 workers ÷ 40 = 3 units |
| 200 or more | 1 seat plus 1 urinal for every 50 workers | 230 workers ÷ 50 = 4.6, so 5 units |
Read it at 29 CFR 1926.51. Mobile crews with transportation readily available to nearby toilets are exempt from the on-site rule.
When do crews need hand washing?
Crews need washing facilities under 1926.51(f) when they apply paint, coatings, herbicides or insecticides, or work around other harmful contaminants. The facilities need hot and cold or tepid running water, soap and towels. Where showers are required, the rule sets 1 shower per 10 workers of each sex.
General industry: Table J-1 in 29 CFR 1910.141
Plants, warehouses and other general-industry workplaces need 1 toilet for 1–15 workers, 2 for 16–35, 3 for 36–55, 4 for 56–80, 5 for 81–110 and 6 for 111–150, plus 1 more for each 40 workers above 150. Lavatories must be available at every workplace.
| Workers | Minimum toilets |
|---|---|
| 1–15 | 1 |
| 16–35 | 2 |
| 36–55 | 3 |
| 56–80 | 4 |
| 81–110 | 5 |
| 111–150 | 6 |
| Over 150 | +1 per 40 |
Read it at 29 CFR 1910.141.
Farms and ranches: 29 CFR 1928.110
Farms with 11 or more workers doing hand labor in the field on a given day need 1 toilet and 1 hand wash station for every 20 workers, placed within a quarter-mile walk. The rule does not apply to field work that lasts 3 hours or less, including travel time.
Read it at 29 CFR 1928.110.
Worked example: a 60-person build in Harker Heights
A 60-worker site needs at least 2 porta potties under OSHA, because 60 ÷ 40 = 1.5, rounded up to 2. For a 50-hour week, we would plan 6 units, about 1 per 10 workers, so the 60-gallon tanks last until the weekly cleaning. The legal minimum and a workable count are very different.
Some cities add their own job site rules. Cedar Park requires one unit for every four houses on residential builds; see our Cedar Park page.
Fast answers
Does OSHA require separate men's and women's toilets on construction sites?
Not when single-occupancy units lock from the inside.
Is a urinal required?
Above 20 workers, Table D-1 counts seats and urinals. Our standard units have both.
Do subcontractors count?
Yes. Count everyone on site who uses the facilities.
Who provides the toilets?
The employer. On multi-employer sites the general contractor usually arranges them.