Wedding restroom trailers in the Santa Ynez Valley: what to know

Weddings in the Santa Ynez Valley tend to happen outdoors: on a ranch off Highway 246, in a vineyard above Los Olivos or Ballard, on a family property near Santa Ynez or out toward Los Alamos. A house or tasting room may have one or two restrooms, but they were never meant for a full guest list over six hours of dinner and dancing, and many private properties are on septic systems that shouldn't take that load.

A restroom trailer has real stalls, flushing toilets, running water and lights. Guests in formal clothes walk up a couple of steps into something that feels like a building restroom. That is why many couples choose one for the reception, and why we also offer luxury and VIP restrooms for the nicest setups.

Deluxe portable restrooms are single units with more room and nicer finishes than a standard porta potty. They need no power or water, take up less space and can sit where a trailer can't reach. Some couples use them alone for smaller or shorter events; others add a few next to a trailer for a big guest list, or place one near the dance floor or the vendor area.

For how many stalls or units fit your guest count and hours, see our guide on how many porta potties you need for an event. An open bar means guests use the restrooms more often, so plan on the higher side.

Most restroom trailers need power for lights, fans and flushing, from an outdoor outlet or a generator, and water from a hose bib or an onboard tank. A vineyard barn or ranch house often has an outlet and a spigot within reach; an open field may not. If your caterer or band is bringing a generator, ask whether it can also run the trailer, or plan a separate one.

You don't need to work this out alone. When you ask for a quote, tell us what the site has and how far it is from where the restrooms will go. We tell you exactly what the trailer you pick needs and how we handle it.

A restroom trailer has to sit level so the doors close, the toilets flush and nobody feels a tilt. Valley venues bring their own challenges: gravel ranch roads, narrow gates, tight turns between barns, slopes between vineyard rows and soft ground after rain. Before you pick a spot, ask the venue:

• Can a truck towing a trailer get to the spot, and how wide is the narrowest gate?
• Is the ground firm and close to flat there, and does it stay firm after a wet week?
• Are there low branches, wires or sprinkler heads on the way in?
• Is there a gate code or a person who needs to let the driver in?

• Close to the reception, but out of the ceremony view and the main photo angles.
• On a clear, even path that guests can walk in nice shoes, with lighting after sunset.
• With a hand washing station near the catering area if staff need one there.

If some of your guests use a wheelchair or walker, add an ADA accessible restroom on firm, level ground with a smooth route to it. Where portable units are grouped for the public, the 2010 ADA Standards ask that at least 5% of each group be accessible; see our ADA guide for details.

We agree on a delivery window with you and the venue; it is often the day before, with pickup after the event. That gives time to level and set up a trailer without getting in the way of the florist, rentals and caterers on the day. Units arrive cleaned and stocked.

Restroom requirements come from your venue and, for some events, an event permit, not from us. In Solvang and Buellton, ask the city; in Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Ballard and Los Alamos, which are unincorporated, ask Santa Barbara County. Your venue coordinator usually knows what has been asked before. We can send a written list of the equipment for your paperwork.

Spring and fall weekends fill up first in the valley. Ask for a quote as soon as you have a date and venue. We deliver from our yard in Lompoc, just over the hill on Highway 246. Get a quote with your date, venue, guest count and hours.