Federal guidance generally asks that at least 5 percent of clustered single-user portable toilets, and not fewer than one per cluster, be accessible at public events. Units used only by construction crews are exempt. It is federal guidance, not a Charlotte rule, and the justice department letter that quotes it is not binding.
Key takeaways
- Where inaccessible single-user portable units are clustered, federal guidance says at least 5 percent should be accessible, and not fewer than one per cluster.
- Units used only by construction crews are exempt from that guidance.
- The guidance is federal, not a Charlotte or North Carolina rule, so check with the county on any specific event requirement.
- Place accessible units on the same route as the others, so they are not hidden at the far end of a site.
- Ask the provider which units are accessible and where they will stand before the event.
- The construction exemption is narrow: a unit the public can use at a site is not exempt.
What does federal guidance say about accessible units at events?
Federal guidance says that where inaccessible single-user portable units are clustered, at least 5 percent, and not fewer than one per cluster, should be accessible. It is guidance, not a binding Charlotte rule.
The guidance has been quoted in a federal justice department letter and in the federal access board's guide. It applies to public events where portable toilets are grouped together. Treat the 5 percent figure as the floor the guidance sets, then plan the count for the crowd.
The justice department letter is not binding on its own. Use it as the reference point when you plan the event.
Are construction-site units exempt?
Units used only by construction crews are exempt from the accessible-unit guidance. A unit that the public can use at a site is not covered by that exemption.
The exemption covers units used only by the crew. Once a unit is open to the public, for example at a site event, the public-use guidance applies to it.
If a site has both crew-only and public units, label which is which on the plan so the count is clear to the inspector.
How do you place accessible units at a Charlotte event?
Place accessible units on the same route as the other units, level and near the main path, so they are easy to find and reach. Ask the provider which units are accessible and confirm the count before the event.
Keep the accessible unit on a firm, level route rather than at the far end of a field or a lot. A unit at the end of a soft path is hard to reach in the rain, and it is the placement a visitor notices first.
Within each cluster, place at least one accessible unit. A larger crowd calls for more than the floor, and the organizer and the provider should agree the count together.
How does this apply to a festival or race in Charlotte?
Festivals and races are public events, so the guidance applies to clustered units. Plan the accessible count with the organizer and check the layout before the event opens.
Street festivals and race starts cluster units by design, so the guidance matters most there. Ask the organizer for the layout and mark the accessible units on it.
The guidance is a planning reference, not a permit. The permit offices, covered in the guide on event permits, set any requirement that applies to a specific event.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 5 percent figure a Charlotte law?
No. It is federal guidance, and the page frames it that way. Check with the county on any specific event requirement.
Are construction crew units exempt?
Yes, units used only by construction crews are exempt from this guidance. Units the public can use at a site are not exempt.
Can I request an accessible unit when I book?
Yes. Ask for accessible units in your count when you call (888) 351-0294, and confirm where they will stand.
Sources
This guide is general information for Mecklenburg County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.