Within the United States, each state or local government currently has the freedom to write gender-neutral restroom requirements. This means that one state can draft a very generic law, while another may draft one that’s incredibly nuanced.

With all of these variations in place, how does EvacuationPlans.com approach this issue? It’s simple: our compliance team monitors regulatory codes and laws and works with our customers so that our all-gender restroom signs are up-to-date. This requires a lot of time to read legal documents, but it’s all a part of our dedication to be the perfect ADA-compliant emergency signage provider for healthcare, education, government, and commercial facilities.

Single-User Restroom Laws Across the Country

Most restroom signage laws around the country aren’t as defined as cities such as Portland, Oregon and Washington, D.C., and they’re typically more concerned with the designation of the physical restroom space than the words describing the use of the space. Most of these laws simply require the change of single-occupancy restroom designations from male and female to say “Restroom.” Below are examples of different single-user restroom laws around the country:

Portland, Oregon

  • Portland uses unambiguous and exact language it wants for single-occupancy restroom designations. Under the City of Portland Administrative Policies, ADM-13.03, All-User Restrooms, city-controlled restroom facilities must have an all-gender designation.
  • Portland also requires designatory signage to be identified with appropriate symbols, as well as have a graphic representation (pictogram) of a toilet, an accessibility symbol (if applicable), and the term “Restroom” or “All-User Restroom” in raised text and braille.

Washington, D.C.

  • Washington, D.C. district laws also require that all single-occupancy restrooms must be open to any gender, and the signage can only say the word “Restroom.” D.C. Municipal Regulations, § 25-C603.1

New York (State)

  • The requirements surrounding signage aren’t as concrete in NY, so building management can use different signage descriptors as long as it’s understood that single-occupancy public bathroom facilities are gender-neutral (e.g., gender neutral, all gender, restroom). This is according to NY’s recently implemented single-occupancy restroom law (NYS AB A5240A).

California

  • According to California state law, CA HSC § 118600(a), “All single-user toilet facilities…shall be identified as all-gender toilet facilities by signage that complies with Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, and designated for use by no more than one occupant at a time or for family or assisted use.” In other words, if you have single-occupant restrooms, those facilities cannot read as being for male or female.

Elsewhere Around The U.S.

EvacuationPlans.com: Your Source for Compliant Signage

Here at EvacuationPlans.com, we aim to be your only source for compliant signage. Our state-specific signage page makes it easy to find signs specific to your facility’s locale: just select your state, and you’re all set! Make sure to check out our all-gender restroom signs! Do you need help or have questions about the correct restroom signs? Reach out via email, phone, or live chat, and our team will be more than happy to assist.