Where to Put a Porta Potty in Your Backyard
The right spot keeps guests comfortable and lets the truck place the unit without tearing up the lawn. Walk your yard with this list.
By Robert, owner. Reviewed October 22, 2026.
What is the best spot for a backyard porta potty?
The best backyard porta potty spot is level, firm ground within about 25 feet of the driveway, 20 to 50 feet from food and seating, with the door facing away from guests. A driveway edge or flat side yard usually beats the middle of the lawn.
Will it fit through the side gate?
A standard porta potty is about 44 inches wide, so a gate needs to open about 45 inches or more. Measure the narrowest point, including the latch and posts. If the gate is too narrow, the unit stays in front of the gate or on the driveway.
What about slopes and soft grass?
A porta potty must sit level so it can't rock or tip. Small slopes can be shimmed with plywood. Steep yards, common on hillside streets in Yonkers, need a flat spot such as the driveway. After heavy rain, lawns get soft, so plan on pavement.
How do you mark the spot for delivery?
Mark the spot with a cone, a lawn chair or a taped X, and note it on the order. Add gate codes and anything the driver should avoid, such as sprinkler heads or a septic lid. You don't need to be home when the unit arrives.
Placing it on the street instead? In Yonkers that needs a permit from the Engineering Department. See the placement and permit guide for other towns.
Keep planning: read the placement and permit guide, book party units, or rent for your home.