NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — JUNE 23, 2025: As Nashville continues to cement its status as one of America’s fastest-growing cities, the booming construction activity is creating unexpected challenges — and not just for traffic. One pressing issue now grabbing attention: a serious shortage of portable toilets across active job sites.

Over the past six months, building permits in the greater Nashville area have surged by nearly 25%, according to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. From high-rise apartments downtown to new suburban housing developments, construction crews are working around the clock. But with this rapid expansion comes a basic but essential need — proper sanitation on-site.

“Many sites are operating with fewer porta potties than needed, and it’s putting pressure on workers,” said Jorge Martinez, foreman at a major residential project in East Nashville. “We’ve had to wait in line or walk off-site just to use the restroom. It slows everything down.”

OSHA regulations require that sanitation facilities be made available for all workers, with at least one toilet per 20 employees on a construction site. But with supply shortages and poor planning, compliance is becoming difficult.

Several Nashville-based construction firms have expressed frustration. “We had to delay pouring concrete one afternoon because the porta potty vendor was late with a scheduled cleaning,” said Lindsey Harper, project manager at Blue Ridge Development. “You wouldn’t think that something so simple could halt progress — but it can.”

Porta potty rental companies across Middle Tennessee say the demand has skyrocketed. Leading Rental LLC, a nationwide provider of portable sanitation, confirms they’ve seen a 40% uptick in requests from construction clients in the Nashville area alone.

“We’re working overtime to meet demand,” said Anne Smith, Director of Sales at Leading Rental. “Portable toilets are as vital to a job site as bricks and beams. Without them, you risk non-compliance, worker dissatisfaction, and delays.”

Industry experts now recommend project managers reserve porta potties weeks in advance and schedule more frequent cleanings. In some cases, firms are turning to high-capacity restroom trailers for longer projects.

The Metro Nashville Council is reportedly reviewing whether stronger oversight or temporary incentives are needed to ensure compliance and support growing infrastructure needs.

As Nashville continues to rise — literally and figuratively — it’s clear that something as humble as a porta potty can make or break a day’s progress. For now, the city’s skyline may be growing fast, but so is the need for clean, reliable facilities on the ground.