Unisex Toilet Rooms and Locations: ADA Explained

[jar546]

In accordance with accessibility standards, accessible unisex toilet rooms cannot replace multi-user toilet rooms, except in cases where it is not technically feasible to make multi-user rooms compliant, particularly in alterations. Both types of restroom facilities must be provided when multi-user and unisex restrooms are required. This approach is beneficial for individuals who require personal care assistants of the opposite sex.

The International Building Code (IBC) mandates the inclusion of accessible unisex or "family" toilet rooms in assembly and mercantile occupancies when six or more toilet fixtures are needed. These rooms must meet specific requirements outlined in the ADA Standards, including privacy latches and a limited number of fixtures.

Additionally, the location of toilet rooms is addressed in two scenarios:

1. In multi-story facilities exempt from vertical access requirements between stories, a toilet room must be available on a story connected to an accessible entrance through an accessible route. Other stories' toilet rooms must also comply with accessibility standards.
2. During alterations where making men's and women's rooms compliant is technically infeasible, an accessible unisex toilet room can serve as an alternative if it is situated in the same area and on the same floor as the existing toilet rooms.

 

[mark handler]

CA, only

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a law requiring K-12 schools to provide gender-neutral bathrooms by July 2026.
The law, Senate Bill 760.

California Law Requiring Single-User Bathrooms to be "All-Gender"

California Law Requiring Single-User Bathrooms to be "All-Gender" Now in Effect | Practical Law

A California law requiring all single-user bathrooms in any business, public place, or government agency to be identified as "all-gender", or gender neutral, recently came into effect.

content.next.westlaw.com

 

[Yikes]

Jar546, it appears that you are lately posting a series of code positions, perhaps to stimulate traffic rather than to pose a question.
When you do this, can you please provide the actual code citation/reference? For example, your post # 1 does not include the year of the IBC nor the specific section that would require this. The phrase “in accordance with accessibility standards” is likewise too vague to help those trying to learn the code.

 

[classicT]

Jar546, it appears that you are lately posting a series of code positions, perhaps to stimulate traffic rather than to pose a question.
When you do this, can you please provide the actual code citation/reference? For example, your post # 1 does not include the year of the IBC nor the specific section that would require this. The phrase “in accordance with accessibility standards” is likewise too vague to help those trying to learn the code.

I'll do my best...

In accordance with accessibility standards, accessible unisex toilet rooms cannot replace multi-user toilet rooms, except in cases where it is not technically feasible to make multi-user rooms compliant, particularly in alterations. Both types of restroom facilities must be provided when multi-user and unisex restrooms are required. This approach is beneficial for individuals who require personal care assistants of the opposite sex.

I'm not sure wherein this comes from.

The International Building Code (IBC) mandates the inclusion of accessible unisex or "family" toilet rooms in assembly and mercantile occupancies when six or more toilet fixtures are needed.

2021 IBC (non-amended)​

1110.2.1 Family or Assisted-Use Toilet and Bathing Rooms​

In assembly and mercantile occupancies, an accessible family or assisted-use toilet room shall be provided where an aggregate of six or more male and female water closets is required. In buildings of mixed occupancy, only those water closets required for the assembly or mercantile occupancy shall be used to determine the family or assisted-use toilet room requirement. In recreational facilities where separate-sex bathing rooms are provided, an accessible family or assisted-use bathing room shall be provided. Fixtures located within family or assisted-use toilet and bathing rooms shall be included in determining the number of fixtures provided in an occupancy.
Exception: Where each separate-sex bathing room has only one shower or bathtub fixture, a family or assisted-use bathing room is not required.

Additionally, the location of toilet rooms is addressed in two scenarios:

1. In multi-story facilities exempt from vertical access requirements between stories, a toilet room must be available on a story connected to an accessible entrance through an accessible route. Other stories' toilet rooms must also comply with accessibility standards.

2021 IBC (non-amended)​

1110.2 Toilet and Bathing Facilities​

Each toilet room and bathing room shall be accessible. Where a floor level is not required to be connected by an accessible route, the only toilet rooms or bathing rooms provided within the facility shall not be located on the inaccessible floor. Except as provided for in Sections 1110.2.4 and 1110.2.5, at least one of each type of fixture, element, control or dispenser in each accessible toilet room and bathing room shall be accessible.
Exceptions: {omitted for conciseness}

During alterations where making men's and women's rooms compliant is technically infeasible, an accessible unisex toilet room can serve as an alternative if it is situated in the same area and on the same floor as the existing toilet rooms.

2021 IEBC (non-amended)​

306.7.11 Toilet Rooms​

Where it is technically infeasible to alter existing toilet rooms to be accessible, one accessible single-user toilet room or one accessible family or assisted-use toilet room constructed in accordance with Section 1110.2.1 of the International Building Code is permitted. This toilet room shall be located on the same floor and in the same area as the existing toilet rooms. At the inaccessible toilet rooms, directional signs indicating the location of the nearest such toilet room shall be provided. These directional signs shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility, and sign characters shall meet the visual character requirements in accordance with ICC A117.1.