Events that need extra restrooms
New Brunswick's event life centers on a few anchors:
- Rutgers University. Football Saturdays, commencement in May, alumni weekends and student events all bring big crowds into a small area. Tailgating lots and off-campus gatherings often need their own facilities.
- The downtown arts and dining district. Theaters, restaurants and street events along the George Street corridor host seasonal festivals and outdoor dining events.
- Raritan River parks. Riverfront green space is used for races, cultural festivals and community events.
- Neighborhood and church events throughout the city and surrounding towns like Highland Park, Piscataway and North Brunswick.
Medical and university campus expansion, mixed-use buildings and residential projects add steady construction demand.
Who issues the permit?
It depends on where the event is.
- City streets, sidewalks and parks are handled by the City of New Brunswick. Contact the city early, as street closures and park events can take weeks to approve and may require a site plan that shows where restrooms will go.
- Rutgers property has its own process. Rutgers' Department of Emergency Services issues fire safety permits for qualifying campus events, and its guidance calls for applications at least two weeks before the event. Campus events typically also need sign-off from the sponsoring department.
- Alcohol at a nonprofit fundraiser or similar event usually needs a social affair permit from New Jersey's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, which is issued only to nonprofit organizations, requires local sign-offs and should be filed at least two weeks ahead.
Private parties on private property usually need no restroom-specific permit, but if the unit will sit on the street, check with the city.
Planning around a college town
A few things are specific to renting in New Brunswick:
- Tight access. Narrow streets, limited parking and busy sidewalks mean you should confirm the delivery truck can reach the spot and that the unit won't block a right-of-way.
- Crowd surges. Game-day and commencement crowds arrive and leave in waves. Plan extra units so lines don't build up at peak times.
- Booking windows. Commencement and home-game weekends get booked early. Request quotes as soon as you have your date.
Weather
New Brunswick has hot, humid summers and cold winters with periodic snow. Summer events benefit from more frequent servicing or a climate-controlled restroom trailer for VIP or wedding use. For winter construction, ask about freeze protection.
How many units?
For a typical event, plan on one unit per 50 guests for about four hours, and add more for alcohol, long durations or a crowd that peaks all at once. Tailgates and game-day gatherings can need more than that.
For public events, follow the Access Board guidance of at least 5% of units per cluster being accessible (never fewer than one), placed on level ground with a clear approach path. Add handwashing stations wherever food is served.
On construction sites, a common baseline is one unit per 10 workers with weekly service.
What it typically costs
Prices around New Brunswick depend on unit type, service frequency and access:
- Standard units: the budget option, usually quoted per unit for the event with delivery and pickup folded in.
- ADA and deluxe units: carry a premium for their larger footprint, sinks or flushing.
- Restroom trailers: quoted by stall count and days on site, and game-day or commencement dates can push them higher.
- Construction rentals: a flat monthly rate per unit with weekly service included.
Request free quotes
From a tailgate near campus to a downtown street festival or a renovation near downtown, post your job on Rental Site Services with your date, location and headcount. Companies that cover New Brunswick and the rest of Middlesex County can reply with free quotes for you to compare.