UPDATE: All-Gender/Single User Toilet Facilities - March 2017 Deadline

UPDATE - February 28, 2017

You may already be aware of the San Francisco law requiring updated signage in single use toilet facilities. There is also a statewide signage requirement, AB 1732, that passed last year and we've received a few questions about it. 

BOMA California, of which BOMA San Francisco members participate, was neutral on AB 1732. BOMA San Francisco members worked on a similar, if not exact, ordinance in San Francisco that mandated signage updates. Our members locally didn’t see it as too costly of a issue - more of an amenity for those restrooms that meet the signage requirements as detailed in the local law (see below).

Signs cost around $20 on average but it depends where you purchase them.

A few key things from the state law:

• The state law affects bathrooms that are single occupancy only. 
• From the law: This bill would, commencing March 1, 2017, require all single-user toilet facilities in any business establishment, place of public accommodation, or government agency to be identified as all-gender toilet facilities, as specified. The bill would authorize inspectors, building officials, or other local officials responsible for code enforcement to inspect for compliance with these provisions during any inspection.
• In San Francisco, the San Francisco Department of Inspection would most likely check for compliance during routine building inspections.

Bottom line: If any of your building’s bathrooms meet the requirements in the law, you’ll need to update the signage. Tenants will have to do this for their restrooms as well.

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UPDATE - August 31, 2016

This law passed recently and it applies to single-user toilet facilities in business establishments and places of public accommodation in San Francisco.

A few key things to know:

• The measure requires that all single-user toilet facilities that are open to the public, and/or to the employees of the establishment, shall be identified as all-gender facilities and shall be made available to persons of any gender identity. 

• Single-user toilet facility means a private toilet facility with a single toilet, or with a single toilet and a urinal and designed for use by no more than one occupant at a time, or for family or assisted use. 

• Multiple-user toilet facilities may be identified as all-gender facilities, but are not required to be identified as all-gender.

• Signage identifying single-user toilet facilities as all-gender must comply with either Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations or the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

• Businesses and places of public accommodation were supposed to be in compliance with this ordinance by August 20th, 2016.

• The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection will be checking for compliance with during regular building inspections.

If you have any questions please email johnb@boma.com.

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Original Post - January 16, 2016

Supervisor David Campos has requested BOMA San Francisco and business community feedback regarding a proposal to expand the number of all gender (unisex) single occupancy restrooms in San Francisco. This is at trend taking place nationwide in order to increase bathroom accessibility for all. Indeed, similar ordinances have already been passed in municipalities across the United States.

Summary

This legislation would mandate that businesses and places of public accommodation (click here and scroll to #7) designate via signage single-user toilet facilities that are available to the public or employees.

Some BOMA members would be required to update their signage if they have places of public accommodation that only have single user toilet facilities.

Click here to review the legislation and email johnb@boma.com with your comments.