Frankfort Special Event Permits and Your Porta Potty Plan
Events on Frankfort city property, streets or sidewalks need a City of Frankfort special event permit before they open to the public. Your restroom plan is part of that planning. This checklist covers who needs the permit, how many porta potties to plan and where they should go.
- Same-day by noon
- Weekly cleaning included
- One itemized price
- Area
- Frankfort and 80 miles around, Lexington to Louisville.
- Arrival
- Same-day when you call by noon, Mon–Sat.
- Unit
- Standard, ADA, flushing, hand wash and trailers.
- Cleaning
- Weekly service included on rentals over a week.
- Cost
- One itemized price. No surprise fees.
Who needs a Frankfort special event permit?
A Frankfort special event permit is needed for festivals, parades, races and walks on city property or the public right-of-way. Private-property events open to the public that affect streets or sidewalks need one too. The rules sit in Frankfort Code chapter 71, sections 71.50 to 71.65. Apply through the city's Special Events page.
- Festival, parade, race or walk on city land: apply with the festival form on the city page.
- Closing a street with barricades: use the street closure form.
- Private yard party, not open to the public: no city permit needed.
- Parks: ask Frankfort Parks and Recreation about the shelter or field rental rules.
How many porta potties should the plan show?
The plan should show 1 standard porta potty per 50 expected guests for each 4 hours, plus 1 per 5 units when alcohol is sold. At least 5% of the units in each cluster must be wheelchair-accessible under the 2010 ADA Standards. Add 1 hand washing station per food area or per 4 units.
| Expected crowd (6 hours) | Units | With beer or bourbon sales | Accessible | Hand washing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 9 | 11 | 1 | 3 |
| 600 | 18 | 22 | 2 | 6 |
| 1,000 | 30 | 36 | 2 | 9 |
| 2,500 | 75 | 90 | 5 | 23 |
Where should units go downtown or by the river?
Units downtown should sit on a side street, parking lot or private lot, not across sidewalks the permit keeps open. Riverside events at River View Park need units on high, firm ground away from the bank. The Kentucky River reached 48.27 feet at Frankfort in April 2025, so spring dates need a backup spot.
- Mark a service lane the truck can use without crossing the crowd.
- Put clusters near food and drink, but downwind of the food line.
- Light every cluster for events running past sunset, like Candlelight Weekend in November.
- Keep the accessible unit on the paved side of each cluster.
When should I book units for a permitted event?
Book porta potties as soon as the city accepts your application, and at least 3 weeks before the event. Frankfort's busy fall season stacks Bourbon on the Banks, KSU homecoming and Candlelight Weekend close together. Reserving early holds accessible units and hand washing stations, which run out first.
Questions people ask before they book
Does a block party in my neighborhood need a permit?
A block party that closes a city street needs the barricaded street closure form from the City of Frankfort. A party kept inside private yards does not need a city permit. Book porta potties once the closure is approved. Plan 1 unit per 50 guests for each 4 hours.
Will the city tell me how many restrooms I need?
The city does not publish a restroom ratio on its special events page. Use 1 unit per 50 guests per 4 hours as a starting point. Add the 5% accessible rule from the 2010 ADA Standards. Keep the count in your event plan.
Can units stay out overnight on city property?
Units can stay out overnight on city property when your permit and the site allow it. Most permitted events get Friday delivery and Monday pickup. Ask the city about placement times before you book. Large events may also need a mid-event service.
Next useful answers
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One call. One itemized price. Tell us the ZIP, dates and headcount, and you hear the full total on the call: unit, delivery, pickup, servicing and tax.
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