Key facts
- Event rentals are priced per event, not per day.
- 14 of 19 calls in our sample were parties, weddings or festivals.
- Most party hosts rent to protect the house bathroom and septic.
- Evening events get delivery the day before.
How many porta potties do I need for my party?
For a 4-hour party, plan 1 unit per 50 guests: 30–50 guests need 1, 60–100 need 2, 100–150 need 3. Add 1 unit for every 4 when beer or alcohol is served. Make at least one wheelchair-accessible if any guest needs it.
Party calculator
Why do Valley families rent a porta potty for a home party?
Valley families rent for one reason above all: to keep 40 to 100 guests out of the house bathroom and septic system. One dispatcher told a caller about the baby shower where 80 guests broke a toilet and the repair cost $1,000 — far more than a rental.
“We have a bathroom in our house, but we just want one extra just in case.”
Do I need a city permit for my party?
A private party at your home does not need a permit for a porta potty. A City of McAllen special event permit is needed for parades, street closures, mass gatherings and street events, and food sales need a temporary food permit filed two weeks ahead.
Straight answers
Questions callers asked us
Do you rent porta potties by the day?
No — event rentals are priced per event, not per day. Eric Rental Works drops the unit off Friday (or Thursday on busy weekends) and picks it up Monday for the same price as one day. A Saturday birthday or a Sunday carne asada costs the same whether the unit stays one day or four.
How many porta potties do I need for 30, 60 or 100 guests?
For a 4-hour party: 30–50 guests need 1 unit, 60–100 guests need 2, and 100–150 need 3. Add 1 unit for every 4 when alcohol is served. One caller planned 1 unit for 100 guests — we recommend 2 so the line never backs up.
Is the event porta potty nice, or old and beat up?
Event units are kept separate from construction units. Party and wedding units go out clean, unscratched and fully stocked — not the scuffed boxes you see on job sites. Ask dispatch to text you a photo of the exact unit before delivery.
Will it be there before my 6:30 PM event?
Yes — because we deliver the day before. Trucks stop delivering at 5 PM, so an evening quinceañera, wedding or birthday gets its unit on the previous business day. That way you are never watching the clock on event day, and the price does not change.
I have a dog on the property. What should I do?
Secure pets before the delivery window. Drivers have to walk past fences and gates to set the unit, so a dog inside the house or a closed run keeps everyone safe.
Can I cancel if something happens?
Yes. Cancel up to 24 hours before scheduled delivery for a full refund — bad weather, a change of plans, anything. Cancellations within 24 hours of delivery are not refundable, because the truck and unit are already committed.
Do I need a McAllen permit for my event?
Restrooms alone do not need a city permit. Parades, street closures, mass gatherings and street events need a City of McAllen special event permit, and food sales need a temporary food permit from Health and Code Enforcement at least two weeks ahead. Confirm with the city before you plan your restroom count.