Do You Need a Permit for a Porta Potty in Murfreesboro?
A porta potty on your own Murfreesboro property needs no permit. City approval comes into play when the unit sits in a street or public right-of-way, or when your gathering counts as a special event under Chapter 21 of the Murfreesboro City Code. HOA covenants can add their own rules, and unincorporated Rutherford County addresses follow county rules instead.
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Do I need a permit for a porta potty on my own property?
A porta potty on your own Murfreesboro lot needs no permit. That covers a backyard party, a bathroom remodel or a new build where the 4-by-4-foot porta potty sits inside your lot line on grass, gravel, concrete or packed dirt. The permit question only starts when the porta potty leaves your property.
- Backyard birthday, reunion or graduation party
- Kitchen or bathroom remodel at your house
- New home or addition on your own lot
- Septic or sewer line repair
Set the unit on firm, level ground with a 4-foot path to it. See residential porta potty rental for placement ideas.
What if the porta potty has to go in the street or right-of-way?
A porta potty in a Murfreesboro street, sidewalk or public right-of-way needs City of Murfreesboro approval before delivery day. The right-of-way often includes the grass strip between the sidewalk and the curb, so measure from your property line, not the curb. Allow at least 4 feet of clearance from the sidewalk.
Tight townhome lots are the usual reason a unit ends up near the street. Try the edge of the driveway or a side yard first.
When does a gathering become a special event in Murfreesboro?
Under Murfreesboro City Code Chapter 21, an event on public property or right-of-way needs a special event permit. A private gathering also becomes a special event if it lasts over 2 days, includes overnight camping, serves alcohol, or draws 250 or more people per day. Most backyard parties stay under those lines.
| Your event | Special event? |
|---|---|
| On a public street, sidewalk or right-of-way | Permit needed |
| Private, lasts more than 2 days | Counts as a special event |
| Private, overnight camping | Counts as a special event |
| Private, alcohol served | Counts as a special event |
| Private, 250 or more people per day | Counts as a special event |
Read the rules yourself in the City of Murfreesboro special events ordinance, sections 21-61 through 21-70.
Planning a rental?
Call with your address and dates. Dispatch quotes on the first call.
How far ahead do I apply for a Murfreesboro special event permit?
Murfreesboro takes special event permit applications at least 30 days and no more than 364 days before the event. The City can require sanitary facilities as a permit condition, and the special event permit lists the restroom location and the provider's contact information. Get your porta potty quote first so you have those details.
- Count your guestsUse our porta potty sizing guide for the unit count.
- Get an itemized quoteSend the address, dates and head count.
- Apply with the CityUse the Murfreesboro special event application page. List the restroom spot and Sean Rental Works, (615) 237-2507.
- Confirm the orderChanges are fine up to 24 hours before delivery.
Which events are exempt from the Murfreesboro special event permit?
Events held entirely on church, school, City Parks or County-owned property are exempt from the Murfreesboro Chapter 21 special event permit. Those property owners still set their own rules, so ask the church office, school or parks staff where a porta potty can sit and whether a Thursday or Friday drop works.
Park shelters and ball fields often have a set spot for portable toilets. Ask when you reserve. Our event porta potty rental page covers crowd sizes.
Does my HOA have rules about porta potties?
Many Murfreesboro subdivisions have HOA covenants that limit temporary structures, or how long items can sit in view of the street. Check your HOA covenants at least 2 weeks before you book a porta potty, because the city permit and the HOA rules are separate. A side-yard spot behind a fence is the easiest to get approved.
- Find the covenants in your closing papers or the HOA portal
- Look for words like "temporary structure" or "visible from the street"
- Email the HOA manager with your dates and the spot
- Keep a copy of the reply
What about addresses in unincorporated Rutherford County?
Addresses in unincorporated Rutherford County, including much of Rockvale, Christiana and Lascassas, follow county rules, not the Murfreesboro City Code. A porta potty on your own county lot needs no permit. Keep the porta potty at least 4 feet off the county road shoulder, and send building questions to the Rutherford County Building Codes Department.
Smyrna and La Vergne are separate towns with their own offices too. See our Rutherford County delivery page for links to each town, or the Rockvale page on county-versus-city addresses.
The county office is listed on the Rutherford County residential permits page.