Rental guide · Updated 2026-11-11
How Many Restrooms and Showers Does a California Crew Need? Rental Planning Ratios
California runs its own OSHA plan; the federal sanitation ratios, turned into stall counts.
Key points
- Federal OSHA says California's state plan covers most private-sector workplaces and state and local government employers.
- Construction toilets: one for up to 20 workers, then one seat and one urinal per 40.
- Where a standard requires showers: one per 10 employees of each sex on the same shift.
California is a state-plan state. Federal OSHA's summary says the California State Plan covers all private-sector workplaces in the state, with listed exceptions, and state and local government employers; federal employers stay with federal OSHA. Cal/OSHA's own sanitation rules can differ in detail, so confirm the current requirement for your site with Cal/OSHA. The federal ratios below are a common starting point.
The ratios behind a stall count
- Construction toilets: one toilet for 20 or fewer workers; one toilet seat and one urinal per 40 workers above that; one per 50 at 200 or more (29 CFR 1926.51, Table D-1).
- Showers, where a standard requires them: one shower for each 10 employees of each sex, or fraction of 10, who shower during the same shift (29 CFR 1910.141(d)(3); 1926.51(f)(4)).
Sources
- OSHA: California State Plan (Cal/OSHA): California's plan covers all private-sector workplaces in the state, with listed exceptions, plus state and local government employers; federal employers stay under federal OSHA. Initial approval May 1, 1973.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.51: Sanitation (construction): Table D-1: one toilet for 20 or fewer workers; one toilet seat and one urinal per 40 workers above that; one per 50 at 200 or more. Showers, where required: one per 10 employees of each sex.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.141: Sanitation (general industry): Where a standard requires showers, one shower for each 10 employees of each sex who shower on the same shift, with hot and cold water, soap, and individual clean towels.
Links checked 2026-11-11. Figures quoted above appear on the linked pages.
