Gender-Neutral Restroom Guidance:

By March 1, 2017 all business establishments, places of public accommodation, or state or local government agencies must designate single-user toilet facilities as “all-gender.” A single-user toilet facility is a toilet facility with no more than one water closet or urinal with a locking mechanism controlled by the user. There is no requirement in the law that the bathroom be available to the general public.

The signage needs to comply with Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (the California Building Code), which dictates size, shape and accessibility standards. The specific requirements for single-use toilet facilities are found in Chapter 11B of the Building Code and specifically at Sections 11B-703.7.2.6 (for mounting height requirements) and 11B-703.7.2.6.3 (for unisex geometric symbol requirements)—both available here (at page 90). This can be confusing, but a quick Google search yields dozens of vendors who purport to provide placards that comply with state and federal standards for unisex restrooms. For questions about whether a specific sign complies with the new law, contact Greg Walsh.