Ocean Shores planners weigh public restrooms, business access and ADA costs

Ocean Shores Planning Commission members discussed on Sept. 23, 2025 whether to pursue public restrooms in the city’s central business district, after a brief survey of 18 downtown businesses found most restrict restroom access to employees.

The commission heard that 17 of 18 surveyed businesses indicated restrooms are for employees only, that privately owned restaurants are not obliged to let members of the public use their facilities, and that building new public restrooms would carry capital and ongoing cleaning costs and require full Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. Commissioners described the effort as “very early” and said further outreach and property‑availability work are needed before bringing a project to the City Council.

Commissioners and public commenters framed the issue as three options: ask businesses to allow public access, add signage to direct visitors to existing facilities, or pursue the construction of dedicated public restrooms in the main commercial strip. A planning commissioner said the group has considered handing out informational flyers and suggested visible directional signage coming into town listing existing public restrooms. A public commenter noted Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) funds as a possible source that would not be borne directly by city residents.

Commissioners reviewed constraints that businesses raised in the survey: many downtown operators are small, use employee restrooms for storage, and lack physical ADA accessibility. A speaker who described past experience bringing a non‑ADA restroom up to code reviewed typical ADA requirements—wider doorways, handrails, raised toilets and appropriate flooring—and warned that even if businesses allowed public use, those facilities would still need to meet accessibility standards for public accommodation.

Cost concerns were raised repeatedly. One participant said construction could be “maybe half a million dollars,” characterizing that figure as an early, informal estimate. Commissioners noted ongoing maintenance and cleaning expenses on top of construction costs.

Speakers urged focusing on practical near‑term steps while exploring longer‑term solutions: finish the business survey, survey residents and visitors, pursue signage and merchant outreach to encourage restaurants to maintain more consistent hours, and identify any city‑owned parcels in the commercial area that might be suitable for new facilities. Several commissioners said the planning commission will carry the conversation forward and report back to the council once more information is available.

Next steps identified on record include completing the business survey, conducting a public survey to assess resident and visitor demand, researching potential LTAC funding, and preparing a report for council consideration. No formal action or vote on funding or construction was taken at the Sept. 23 meeting.