Festival and Large-Event Porta Potties for Upstate Crowds

How many porta potties does a festival need?

Festival restroom counts use our method: up to 4 hours means 1 unit per 50 people, and longer events use people × hours ÷ 200. A crowd of 5,000 for 8 hours needs 200 units before alcohol. Beer sales add 20%, so the same crowd needs 240 units.

For an all-day festival, count the peak crowd on site at one time, not total tickets. A crowd that turns over every few hours needs fewer units than a gate count suggests. We review the numbers with you on the quote.

Those totals are our planning numbers, not a legal rule. Your venue, the city or the county may set their own count. The full method with smaller crowds is on the how many porta potties guide.

How should units be grouped into banks?

Group festival units into banks of 10 to 20, with at least 1 wheelchair-accessible unit and at least 5% accessible units in every bank. Put 1 two-station hand wash beside every 4 toilets. Space banks so no guest walks more than about 2 minutes to reach one.

One huge bank creates one huge line. Several smaller banks spread the crowd and keep lines short near food and stages.

• Near food courts: the biggest bank, with the most hand wash stations.
• Near stages: a bank off to the side, never behind the sound booth.
• Near parking and gates: a small bank for arrivals and departures.
• Vendor and staff area: 2 to 4 units with a lock-off sign for crew use.

Accessible units go at the end of each bank on firm, level ground with a clear approach. The rule behind the 5% figure is section 213.2 of the 2010 ADA Standards. The Satellite Freedom wheelchair-accessible unit has a 60-inch turning space inside.

What changes for events at the Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center?

The Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center covers about 300 acres on MLK Jr. Blvd. The Civic Center holds about 6,300 people and the amphitheater about 15,000. Big events use grass overflow parking on Camson Road, and those lots need their own restroom bank.

The site hosts the Great Anderson County Fair, which ran April 30 to May 10 in 2026, and Celebrate Anderson on Labor Day weekend. Each event uses the grounds in a different way.

• Fields and grass lots get soft after rain. Plan banks on pavement edges or gravel where you can.
• Overflow parking on Camson Road is a long walk from the gates. A small bank there helps.
• A multi-day fair needs daily service. We work the route around gate times.
• Coordinate truck access with the venue staff before load-in day.

Ask the venue what restrooms the buildings already provide. Building restrooms count toward your total when they stay open to the public.

How do you handle a downtown street festival?

A downtown street festival needs units in place before the street closes. Soirée on Main Street in Anderson drew about 75,000 people in 2022, with Main Street closed from Federal Street to John Street. Banks on side streets and parking lots keep the main walkway open.

Street events bring tight spaces and lots of foot traffic. Our trucks need a lane to set and service each bank.

1. Get the street closure map from the organizer or the city.
2. Pick bank spots on side streets, alleys or lots, not on the main route.
3. Schedule delivery before barricades go up.
4. Plan service for the morning before the second day opens.
5. Schedule pickup after barricades come down.

Units placed on a state road shoulder may need an SCDOT encroachment permit. Private lots are simpler, so get written permission from the lot owner.

What about fishing tournaments at Green Pond Landing?

Green Pond Landing on Lake Hartwell hosts tournaments with fields of 52 boats, and high school trails average about 200 boats. A 200-boat field brings about 400 anglers plus families at weigh-in. Tournament restrooms should sit near the launch ramps and the weigh-in stage.

Fishing tournaments start before sunrise. That means units must be in place the day before, and lights near the ramp help in the dark.

• Put one bank near the launch lanes for the morning take-off.
• Put a second bank near the weigh-in, where the crowd peaks in the afternoon.
• Include at least 1 wheelchair-accessible unit near the public viewing area.
• Add a hand wash station near any food vendor.

Our post on Lake Hartwell event restrooms covers lake access roads and ramp parking.

How often are units serviced during a multi-day event?

A 1-day or 2-day event with a moderate crowd needs no mid-event service. A large crowd, a 3-day event or heat above 90°F calls for service each morning before gates open. Each service visit pumps the 60-gallon tank, cleans the interior and restocks paper and sanitizer.

Anderson's average July high is 90.7°F. Heat speeds up odor, so summer festivals need more service than fall events of the same size.

Service runs during our working hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Plan Sunday crowds with extra units rather than a Sunday visit.

Who handles permits with the City of Anderson?

The event organizer handles permits with the City of Anderson. The city's website lists events but has no single special event permit page, so call the city about event and street closure approval. City Building and Codes is at 601 South Main Street, phone (864) 231-2217.

We supply paperwork the city or venue asks for, such as a rental agreement or a site map with unit counts. Ask the city these questions early.

1. Does the event need a street closure or special event approval?
2. Is a temporary use permit needed for the site?
3. Does the city set a minimum restroom count or accessible count?
4. Where may service trucks park during the event?

Start with the City of Anderson special events page and the Building and Codes office. For events in other towns, ask that town hall or the county. Our Anderson County service page lists county offices.

How far ahead should organizers book?

Book festival restrooms 6 to 8 weeks ahead for crowds over 2,000, and 3 to 4 weeks ahead for smaller events. Restroom trailers book up first. Final counts can change up to 1 week before delivery, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before delivery.

1. 8 weeks out: share the site map, dates and expected peak crowd.
2. 6 weeks out: approve the quote and bank layout.
3. 2 weeks out: confirm the city or venue approvals.
4. 1 week out: lock final counts and service times.
5. Day before: we set banks and walk the layout with your site lead.

Events on the coast or in the Midlands are scheduled runs. Book those at least 3 business days ahead, and much earlier for big counts. See our service area map for route details.

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