Put the portable toilet on firm, level ground. Make sure people can reach it easily and safely. Keep it away from food, busy paths and vehicle routes. Check that the delivery driver can get close enough to drop it off, empty it and collect it.
Booking a portable toilet is easy. Choosing where it goes is where problems start. The lorry can't reach the spot. The unit sinks into soft grass. Guests have to walk through mud.
This guide will help you get it right. It comes from our work across Mid Wales, Powys, Herefordshire and Shropshire, where farm tracks, fields and country venues are part of our everyday jobs.
What makes a good spot?
Look for a place that has:
- Firm, fairly level ground with no standing water
- A safe, clear path from where people will be
- Enough room for the door to open fully
- Space for people to queue
- Room for the delivery and servicing vehicle
- Lighting or signs, if it will be used after dark
- Some distance from busy roads, car parks and food areas
Think about the ground on the day, not the day you book. A field can be dry this week and soft after three days of rain.
Put a Portable Toilet on Grass, gravel, tarmac or concrete?
| Surface | How good is it? | What to check | Best for |
| Concrete | Very good | Is it level? Is it clear of exits and loading areas? | Yards, farms, building sites |
| Tarmac | Very good | Does the unit block cars or people? | Driveways, car parks, work sites |
| Compacted gravel | Good | Is it firm? Loose gravel is hard to walk on | Drives, site compounds |
| Grass | Good if firm and dry | Will rain make it soft or muddy? | Weddings, parties, farm events |
Grass: Firm, level grass is fine for weddings, parties and farm events. The problem is rain. If wet weather is forecast, tell us before delivery.
Gravel: Packed-down gravel works well. Deep or loose gravel is unstable, especially at the door, and hard to cross for people with limited mobility.
Tarmac and concrete: These are the most stable. But don't block fire exits, doors, loading areas or emergency routes.
Can a portable toilet go on a slope?
Try to avoid it. A unit on a slope can lean, and the door may not open or close properly. It is also harder to service. If you only have uneven ground, tell us when you book. A flatter spot may be just a few metres away.
Think about delivery and servicing
A portable toilet needs to be reached at least three times: when it is delivered, when it is serviced and when it is collected. Many people only plan for the first.
- Check gateways and lanes. Look at width, low branches and cables.
- Keep the way clear. Skips, parked cars and piles of materials can block the driver later.
- Keep it near vehicle access. Our driver must park safely and legally. Please keep the unit within [add your distance, for example "X metres"] of where the vehicle can stop.
- Tell us about problems. Steep tracks, soft fields and locked gates should be mentioned when you book.
Please don't move the toilet yourself. Units are heavy, and you could hurt yourself or damage it. Call us and we will move it safely.
Outdoor events
Think about the whole event: the entrance, seating, marquees, food, car parks and walkways. People should be able to find the toilets easily, but they don't need to be in the middle of everything.
- Keep them away from food. Give catering its own space. A good rule is [add your recommended distance].
- Don't block paths. Queues form at busy times, so leave space to wait.
- Use more than one spot at big events. This shortens walks and spreads the queues.
- Plan for servicing. Long or busy events may need cleaning, emptying and restocking. See our event toilet servicing.
Where Should Portable Toilets Be Placed at a Wedding?
Wedding guests stay for hours, often in smart clothes and shoes. The day often goes on into the evening.
- Close enough to the marquee to be handy
- Out of the main photo areas
- On a firm surface with a dry path
- Away from the catering area
- Well lit after dark. A toilet you can see easily at 2pm can be hard to find at 9pm. Use lights along the path and clear signs.
If any guests need extra space, we also offer easy access disabled portable toilets.
Portable Toilets Be Placed at Gardens and driveways
Private parties and home projects need a bit of extra thought.
- Pick a level, firm spot. A driveway or paved area is often best. Avoid soft lawn and flower beds.
- Think about wind and windows. Keep the unit away from open windows and seating.
- Talk to your neighbours. A quick chat about delivery and servicing avoids problems later.
- Add privacy. A hedge, fence or outbuilding can hide the unit. Just don't block the door, the vents or the servicing route.
- Protect your surface. Tell us if you have a lawn or block paving so we can plan the drop-off.
Portable Toilets Placements for Building sites
On a building site, placement is about safety as well as convenience. HSE guidance says welfare facilities and traffic should be planned so that people on foot and vehicles are kept apart. It also says to think about access, upkeep and how far workers must walk to reach welfare.
Don't put a toilet:
- Next to moving machinery
- On a vehicle route
- Beside a hole or trench
- On soft or unstable ground
- Where materials are stored
- Where it blocks the way in or out
Keep it close enough for workers to use easily, but outside busy work areas. As the job changes, check the position again. Read more about our construction site toilet hire.
How much space do you need?
You need more room than the toilet itself. Allow for:
- The unit: a standard unit is about [add width × depth × height] and weighs about [add weight].
- The door: it must open fully.
- The approach: people need a clear way in and out.
- Delivery and collection: the vehicle needs room to place and lift the unit.
- Servicing: the toilet must stay easy to reach for the whole hire.
Check exact sizes with us before delivery.
Accessible toilets
The path matters as much as the toilet. Place it:
- On firm, level ground
- With a step-free route
- Near accessible parking, the main entrance or the main event area
- With clear space around the door
- Away from cables, hoses and loose gravel
- On a lit path
Don't put an accessible toilet at the end of a rough track just because there is space. It should be part of the main layout. Our accessible toilet hire is available for weddings, festivals, sports events, agricultural shows, building sites and private events.
Hand washing
Try to put a hand wash or sanitiser point close to the toilet. Put it on firm ground where people naturally walk after leaving. It is very useful at weddings, food events and building sites. Ask us about hand wash and sanitiser options.
Farms and rural sites
On farms and open land, keep toilets away from streams, ditches, field drains, wells and boreholes. Avoid ground that floods. Our toilets are self-contained and don't need water or a waste connection, but a spill or damage near water is a serious problem. If you're not sure about your land, ask us first.
Do you need permission?
Usually not for private land, but check these:
- The landowner or venue should agree before you book.
- Roads and pavements: if the toilet would be on public land or the highway, ask your local council first. It must not block the way.
- Listed buildings or conservation areas may have extra rules.
Where NOT to put a portable toilet
Avoid:
- Very steep or unstable ground
- Places that flood or get very soft in rain
- Right next to food preparation
- In the middle of a busy path
- On a vehicle or machinery route
- Anywhere the delivery vehicle can't reach
- Where the door can't open fully
- Anywhere that blocks a fire exit or emergency route
Need help choosing a spot?
Not sure if your field, garden, driveway, venue or building site is suitable? Talk to K & S Toilets before you book.
We hire out portable toilets across Mid Wales, Powys, Herefordshire and Shropshire, including Welshpool, Brecon and Kington.
Call K & S Toilets on 01597 811 177 or send us your site details. We'll help you plan everything from delivery to collection.