Santa Cruz Porta Pros does not sell or install electrical panels, but most job sites that need a temporary power pole also need portable toilets, temporary fencing and a roll-off dumpster on the same lot. A 200 amp temporary power pole runs the trailers, tools and lighting a build needs before permanent service goes in.
A temporary power pole, sometimes called a temp pole or spider box on a stick, is a metered service panel mounted on a pressure-treated post. It sits between the utility line and your job site so contractors can run saws, compressors and light towers before the building has permanent power. Most construction sites in Santa Cruz spec a 200 amp temporary power pole because it covers a mid-size crew running several tools at once without tripping breakers all day. Placement matters: the pole needs clearance from the meter to the point of attachment, and the utility company has its own rules about mounting height and grounding. This is not something Santa Cruz Porta Pros installs, but we coordinate delivery of everything around it, from construction dumpster rental to temporary fence rental that keeps the pole and panel enclosed. OSHA 1926.404(b)(1)(ii) requires ground fault circuit interrupter protection on construction sites, which applies to whatever gets plugged into that temp pole once it is live.
Installation cost depends on the electrician, the utility hookup fee and how far the pole sits from the existing line, none of which Santa Cruz Porta Pros prices or installs. What we can tell you is what it costs to outfit the rest of the site while the pole goes in. A standard porta potty rental runs in a normal daily-to-monthly range, and if the crew needs an accessible unit, an ADA accessible porta potty prices out separately. Here is what sits alongside a temp power setup on a typical job:
| item | duration | typical price |
|---|---|---|
| standard toilet | day | $150 |
| standard toilet | month | $200 |
| dumpster | week | $600 |
| fence | day | $50 |
| delivery fee | day | $150 |
Get exact numbers for your site through request a quote or check the full breakdown on our porta potty rental cost page.
Requirements come from the utility company and the electrical code, and those vary by jurisdiction, so confirm exact specs with your electrician and PG&E before ordering equipment. What we can confirm is the sanitation side of the job, because that falls under OSHA rather than the utility. OSHA 1926.51(c)(1) sets toilet ratios for construction sites: one facility for 20 workers or fewer, then additional seats as the crew grows past 20 and again past 200. If your crew is doing any painting, coating or pesticide work near the pole install, OSHA 1926.51(f)(1) requires washing facilities for that specific work, and 29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2) requires soap and a way to dry hands, not just sanitizer. A handwashing station rental or a portable sink rental covers that requirement cheaply. For a full site plan, our construction site services page walks through toilets, fencing and dumpsters together, and how many porta potties do I need helps you size the crew correctly.
Crews working sites near Scotts Valley, 6.6 miles north of Santa Cruz, or out toward Watsonville, 17.2 miles east, often set up the temp pole and the sanitation trailer the same delivery day. If your project needs an emergency porta potty rental because the pole install got delayed and workers are already on site, we can usually turn that around fast. Check our service areas page for coverage past Santa Cruz proper.
No. We rent portable toilets, dumpsters, fencing and restroom trailers. For the power pole itself, contact a licensed electrician and your utility provider, but we are glad to coordinate deliveries around their install schedule.
It stays until permanent power is inspected and connected, which can be weeks or months depending on the build. Many sites keep porta potties and fencing on a monthly porta potty rental schedule to match.
We do not rent generators. Some smaller jobs use them short-term, but most inspectors require a proper temp pole for anything beyond hand tools and lighting.
That depends on your equipment load, and an electrician should size it. A 200 amp temporary power pole is common for mid-size residential and light commercial builds in Santa Cruz.
Likely yes, but permit rules differ by city department and this needs confirming directly with the Santa Cruz building or planning department before you schedule install.
Yes. Santa Cruz Porta Pros delivers temporary power pole across Santa Cruz and the surrounding metro, with same-day and next-day drop-off available on most orders.
Pricing depends on the unit and how long you need it. See our cost breakdown and request a free quote for an exact figure.
Standard rentals include scheduled service — a pump-out, a clean, a restock and fresh deodorizer. Busy or hot-weather sites can be serviced more often.
Call now or request a free quote — clean units, on-time delivery, transparent pricing.
