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Commission adopts ordinance requiring gender‑neutral signage for single‑user restrooms
Summary
DBI and the commission approved an ordinance requiring public and employee single‑user restrooms to be designated gender neutral and conform to California Title 24 signage; DBI will not require permits to change existing signs.
The Building Inspection Commission unanimously endorsed a city ordinance requiring that single‑user toilet facilities open to the public or employees be designated gender neutral and that signage meet California Title 24 standards.
DBI staff explained the change is retroactive for single‑occupancy restrooms open to the public and that the department will not require permits for simple sign changes on existing facilities. Richard Halloran noted the state and local regulatory environment is shifting toward gender‑neutral facilities and that DBI has allowed similar arrangements since 2005.
The ordinance requires signage to conform with Title 24 tactile and pictogram requirements; DBI said it will not approve offensive pictograms and will rely on standard circle/triangle pictograms with textual identifiers where needed. For future new construction, buildings with more than five public restrooms will be asked to dedicate at least one multi‑facility restroom as gender neutral.
The motion to adopt passed on a unanimous roll call vote.
