What does the City of Phoenix say about restrooms at events?
The City of Phoenix Planning and Development outdoor events page lists the permits an outdoor event may need. Its private property section says: "Food service and the use of portable restrooms are regulated by Maricopa County." The public park and street section says the same. It adds that the county's website provides information on how to obtain the appropriate permits.
In other words, the Phoenix page does not set a restroom count or placement rule of its own, and it does not say that a city event approval covers restrooms. It sends you to the county for that part of the plan.
The same page lists the city approvals that may apply, depending on where the event is held and what it includes:
- Events on city property or in the right-of-way (streets, sidewalks, alleys): the Parks Department Street Special Event Application is always required.
- Events in parking lots or other privately owned open spaces: zoning approval through an Administrative Temporary Use Permit (ATUP) is always required.
- Either location: a Fire Department Public Outdoor Assembly Permit if projected attendance is 500 or more or 50 or more people are within barricades or fencing.
- Generators or temporary wiring to an existing electrical panel: a permit from the Planning and Development Department.
- Tents over 800 square feet or canopies over 1,200 square feet: a Fire Department Tent / Canopy / Membrane Structure Permit.
What does Glendale's special event guide say about restrooms?
Glendale says more. Its Special Event Guide and FAQ (revised 6/13/22) has a Restrooms section that begins: "All events must have appropriate restroom facilities to accommodate their guests." It says the quantity of fixed or portable restroom facilities depends on the number of attendees, event duration, and food and beverage service.
The guide says the city uses a guide from Maricopa County health services for restroom calculation, and states: "The calculation suggested is 1 restroom per 100 people." It also says your site plan must include how many restroom facilities you will have, and the site plan checklist names portable restrooms as a layout item, along with stages, generators, tents, mobile food units, and fencing.
So a Glendale special event application does not supply restrooms, but it does expect you to show them. If the restroom count or location is missing from the site plan, expect the city to ask for it.
When do you need a Glendale special event permit at all?
According to the same guide, a Glendale Special Event Permit is required in these cases:
- The event, regardless of size or location, will impact the normal flow of vehicles or pedestrians on public streets, sidewalks, parking lots, or other public property.
- The event is on city property and is expected to have 500 or more attendees.
- The event is on private property, is offered to the public or a substantial segment of the public, and its nature requires regulation to promote health, welfare, and safety.
- The event includes certain features regardless of size, such as a special event or extension-of-premise liquor license, amplified sound, amusement rides, food trucks, fireworks, animal exhibits, or vehicle displays.
Where does Maricopa County come in?
Maricopa County's Environmental Health Code sets a minimum for toilet facilities at public gatherings that lack adequate permanent restrooms. That rule is explained on our restroom planning guide, so it is not repeated here. Read it before you settle on a count for either city.
If food will be sold or given away, the county adds a separate step. Its Environmental Services Department's Special Event Requirements page says all special events where food will be sold or given away must be registered with the department, and the event coordinator submits a Special Event Coordinator Event Registration application through the county's Permit Center 30 days before the event starts.
That registration asks for the number of restrooms and portable toilets, and the county page notes they "must be 25 feet away from food vendors." The same page says each temporary food booth must have at least one temporary hand wash station with a minimum of 5 gallons of potable warm water (100 degrees F) in an insulated container with a free-flowing spigot, a wastewater container 15% greater than the fresh water container, and soap, paper towels, and a waste receptacle. That booth rule is for food vendors; guest hand-washing is a separate planning choice.
What should go on the restroom part of your event plan?
Neither city page gives a complete restroom checklist, so build one from what the city and county pages do ask for. Before you submit the application, gather:
- Expected attendance, event hours, and whether food or drinks will be served, since Glendale says all three affect the restroom count.
- The number of restrooms and where each one sits on the site plan.
- The distance from each restroom group to every food vendor, if the county special event registration applies.
- Any generator or temporary power on the site plan, since both cities list a permit for generators or temporary wiring.
- Delivery and pickup times that fit your setup and teardown schedule and any street closure.
- Written permission from the property owner if you do not own the private property (Glendale asks for this with the application).
How far ahead should you start?
Glendale's guide asks for the application package 60 days before the event, even if details are still being finalized, and for all required documents in complete and final form 30 days before. Maricopa County's food event registration is due 30 days before the event. The Phoenix outdoor events page does not list a single deadline, so ask the office handling your application.
If a city page does not answer your question, ask the city directly. Glendale's guide says its Fire Prevention Office serves as the events liaison and can answer most event questions. In Phoenix, start with the Planning and Development Department for private-property events or the Parks Department for park and street events, and contact Maricopa County Environmental Services for food and restroom rules.
Common questions
If my Phoenix event is approved, are the restrooms approved too?
Not necessarily. The City of Phoenix outdoor events page says the use of portable restrooms is regulated by Maricopa County, so check the county's rules separately from the city's event approvals.
Does Glendale require a set number of restrooms?
Glendale's guide says the number depends on attendees, event duration, and food and beverage service, and that the suggested calculation is 1 restroom per 100 people. Your site plan must show how many you will have.
Do I need a Glendale special event permit for a park event?
Glendale's guide says a special event permit application is not required at a city park or recreation facility expected to draw fewer than 500 attendees, but you must contact Parks and Recreation at least 30 days ahead to schedule.
Does the county's 25-foot rule apply to every event?
The county's Special Event Requirements page lists it for special events where food will be sold or given away, which must be registered with Environmental Services. For other events, ask the county.