Ocean Shores planning commissioners ask mayor to study adding public restrooms in downtown

Ocean Shores Planning Commission — during its May 26 meeting — discussed short-term options and long-term planning to add public restrooms near the downtown/Point Brown corridor and agreed to ask the mayor to consider pursuing planning and funding.

Commissioner Steve Kern presented the results of a simple survey of local businesses (19 responses; the form listed 20 because one business was entered twice). Kern said every respondent reported having a restroom for employees but that only a small number allow customers or the public to use them; he named Red Sky Tattoo and North Beach Medical as among the few that permit non-employees to access facilities. "Everyone I spoke to has a restroom in their business," Kern said, "and only two of them will allow someone other than their employees to use the restroom."

Why it matters: Commissioners and members of the public said the shortage of public restrooms burdens visitors and families and affects downtown businesses during busy weekends and events. Commissioners discussed interim measures (portable toilets for events, improved signage directing visitors to existing beach-access restrooms) and capital options for a permanent facility. Kern and others referenced the high cost of past public-restroom projects, estimating examples in the ballpark of $100,000 for multi-stall installations, and suggested possible funding sources, including lodging-tax allocations (the commission noted the lodging-tax cycle reopens in October) and L-TAP funding for ADA conversions.

The commission discussed potential sites that staff or the city might own, including a parcel behind Bennett's and a paved parking area behind the mall/Imagine Center near the traffic circle, which commissioners said already has sewer and drainage infrastructure near it. Commissioners stressed the complexity of locating, funding and building a permanent restroom — including land acquisition, site improvements, and ADA compliance — and the possibility of using grants or converting an existing facility.

Next steps: Commissioners agreed the planning commission should draft and send a formal recommendation to the mayor requesting the city start planning and identify funding options. The commission tabled more detailed work until staff can coordinate with the mayor and council, and noted the issue could be placed on a future council agenda for budget consideration. The commission set its next meeting for June 9, 2026.