Laws and Policies
Different laws and policies govern restroom access at the federal, state, and local level.
At the federal level:
- Restroom design standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act support access for people with and without disabilities.
- The Occupational Safety and Health Standards mandate restroom access for people at their workplaces, with certain levels of provision.
- Restrooms in federal facilities are regulated by the General Services Administration.
- The Department of the Interior regulates restrooms in National Parks and National Historic Sites.
These laws mandate some access, but we believe public restroom access needs to go beyond legal adherence. There is no national law mandating access for members of the public or people with disabilities or health conditions. Some states do have additional laws, including:
States and local governments usually govern restroom access through building codes, which are generally modeled on the International Plumbing Code and the Uniform Plumbing Code.
The ARA is committed to advocating for expanded restroom access and improving building codes to allow for more restrooms and more usable restrooms. You can learn more from our programs page and reach out to get involved.
If You Are Denied Access
Have you been denied access to a restroom in a public setting? Here are our recommendations.
- Check to see if you live in a state that is subject to the Restroom Access Act also known as Ally’s Law. You can find the list of states and recommendations for next steps from MedNewsToday.
- If you are in a state not subject to Ally’s Law:
- Contact the county or city building inspector and ask which plumbing code applies to the building in question. The International Plumbing Code, Section 403.3, requires structures and tenant spaces used by the public to be provided with toilet facilities for customers, employees, patrons and visitors. The Uniform Plumbing Code, Section 422.4, requires toilet facilities for customers and employees.
- Contact your state legislator. Let them know about the situation you experienced and share with them the information about Ally’s Law. Encourage them to help drive its adoption in your state.
- Reach out to local news outlets.
- And if called for, retain legal support who can counsel you on potential remedies.
Please know that the ARA will continue to work with all levels of government to address the lack of better public restrooms.