How many restrooms does a film crew need?
Crew count and shoot length decide it, not guesswork. A small crew of 15 to 20 running one day fits comfortably with two or three standard porta potty rentals, while anything running multiple units or featuring cast trailers usually calls for a 4 stall restroom trailer. OSHA 1926.51(c) sets the baseline for construction-style crews: one toilet facility for 20 workers or fewer, then one toilet seat and one urinal per 40 workers as headcount climbs. Film sets aren't always classified as construction, but production companies in Indianapolis often use that ratio as a floor when planning base camp. If the crew includes background talent bumping numbers past 50 for a single day, that changes the math fast, and it's worth running through our how many porta potties do I need guide before locking a count. Grip and electric departments frequently need portable generator rental film support alongside restrooms, and a 200 amp temporary power setup near base camp is common when lighting and honeywagons share the same circuit. We coordinate restroom placement so it doesn't compete with cable runs or the light tower rental units used for night exteriors. For multi-day shoots anywhere from downtown Indianapolis out to locations near Beech Grove, 6.7 miles southeast, or Speedway, 6.7 miles west, we plan delivery routes around load-in windows so nothing sits in a shot.
What restroom options work best for cast and crew?
Cast trailers and crew lines aren't interchangeable, and Indianapolis Porta Pros treats them that way. Background and crew typically use standard porta potty rental units or a deluxe flushable porta potty when the production wants something closer to a real bathroom without the trailer footprint. Leads and department heads often get a luxury restroom trailer, which runs private stalls, climate control, and finished interiors instead of a standard 60 to 70 gallon tank unit at 44 by 48 inches on the ground. For crews with mobility needs on set, ADA Standards section 213.2 requires that at least 5 percent of clustered single-user units be accessible, never fewer than one, and our ADA accessible porta potty line meets that standard with a 60 inch turning circle inside the unit under ADA Standards 304.3.1. Doorways on our trailers clear the 32 inch minimum under ADA Standards 404.2.3, and ramped units follow the 1:12 slope limit in ADA Standards 405.2. Multi-day location shoots around Indianapolis, including productions staging near Fishers, 17.4 miles northeast, or Plainfield, 18.0 miles southwest, often mix a trailer for principal cast with a bank of standard units for the rest of the crew. If the shoot involves paint, set dressing chemicals, or practical effects using coatings, OSHA 1926.51(f)(1) requires washing facilities for that specific work, which is different from general crew sanitation and something our handwashing station rental team accounts for separately.
What does a restroom trailer cost for a shoot?
Pricing depends heavily on trailer size and rental length, not just headcount. A single day trailer rental for a smaller production can run as low as $175, while a full week for a larger unit climbs well past that. Here's how the bands break down:
| unit | day | week | event |
|---|---|---|---|
| trailer | $175 - $2,500 | $1,650 - $1,650 | $2,499 - $3,899 |
| standard | $100 - $350 | $130 - $500 | $200 - $800 |
| ada | $200 - $400 | $240 - $240 | - |
Delivery fees run separately, typically $100 to $500 for a single day depending on distance and access. A roll-off delivery needs about 60 feet of straight clearance behind the truck, which matters on tight urban locations or historic properties around Indianapolis where alley access is limited. For full weekend shoots, expect trailer pricing in the $900 to $3,000 range depending on stall count and finish level. Our restroom trailer rental cost page breaks down the per-stall math further, and the porta potty rental cost page covers standard unit pricing if your production is mixing unit types across departments. Productions running recurring local shoots sometimes find a monthly porta potty rental arrangement cheaper than booking day rates repeatedly.
Do you deliver to remote filming locations outside the city?
Yes. We've delivered to locations near Brownsburg, 15.0 miles west, and Greenwood, 15.4 miles south, and we quote delivery based on actual mileage from our yard. Check our service areas page or ask about your specific address when you request a quote.
Can you service a set overnight for early call times?
Yes, servicing overnight or before a 5 a.m. call is routine for us. We coordinate timing with your first AD or location manager so units are clean and stocked before crew arrives on set.
Are handwashing stations required separately from restrooms?
Under 29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2), washing facilities need soap and towels or a drying device; hand sanitizer alone doesn't satisfy it. Our portable sink rental units meet that standard for crew and craft services areas.
What if the shoot location changes at the last minute?
Call us as early as possible. Our emergency porta potty rental service handles location swaps and can often reposition units the same day, depending on distance and unit availability.
Can you provide restrooms for a multi-week location shoot?
Yes, we set up extended rentals for productions running weeks or months, with servicing scheduled around your shooting calendar. Ask about our holding tank rental options if the location lacks sewer access.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.