Public Restroom Access for All

Public Restroom Access for ALL

Dignified Hygiene Options for All

Access to public restrooms is a human right. We’re calling on the County of San Diego to improve access to public restroom facilities for all.

Background

Historically, lack of access to public bathrooms has been a major infrastructure challenge and public health hazard. Since 2000, four grand jury reports have sounded the alarm on the potential of public health outbreaks due to limited access to public bathrooms. In 2017, a hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego resulted in 20 people dying. The San Diego County government spent over $3 million addressing this public health emergency. More recently, the COVID pandemic highlighted the lack of accessible hand-washing stations in public spaces across San Diego County.

Why This Matters

In addition to being a public health threat, lack of public bathroom facilities has led to the criminalization of unsheltered communities who are unable to use the bathroom with privacy and dignity. Additionally, a lack of bathrooms poses unnecessary challenges for workers on the go, people with disabilities, and families who cannot access diaper changing stations.

As San Diego County becomes more populated, it’s vital that residents and visitors have access to clean restrooms, as both a matter of public health and equity. I strongly urge the County to implement these recommendations to improve the conditions of public restroom facilities throughout our region.

We’re asking the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to approve the following:

Create a $30 million fund available to municipalities within the County for the creation of public bathroom facilities.

Provide safe needle deposit boxes in all County-owned and operated public bathrooms.

Create diaper changing stations in all County-owned and operated public bathrooms.

Provide free menstrual products in County-owned and operated bathroom facilities.

For frequently utilized public bathrooms:

Extend hours of operations, including 24/7 access in densely populated areas.
Install shower stalls.
Install permanent handwashing sinks.
Include all-gender bathrooms during renovation of existing bathrooms.

Post clear signage in multiple languages around and leading to all public bathroom locations

Expand information on the County website regarding public bathrooms:

Post all bathroom locations, including hours of operation.
Allow the public to submit maintenance requests, feedback on cleanliness, and requests for materials (ex: toilet paper, soap, etc.) for each bathroom location.

Identify bathrooms that are not ADA compliant.

Build all-gender bathrooms in unincorporated areas that have few to no available public bathrooms.

Identify bathrooms that are all-gender.

Abide by state law requiring single-stall restrooms to be identified as all-gender restrooms.

TAKE ACTION

Submit a non agenda public e-comment here in support of increased access to public restrooms.

Check out some sample comments below:

Access to public bathrooms is a matter of equity, safety, and public health. In 2017, San Diego County faced a hepatitis A outbreak, which resulted in the deaths of 20 people. More recently, the COVID pandemic once again highlighted the importance of accessible hand-washing stations in public spaces. It’s vital that the County takes action to improve public health and increase access to restrooms for all.
In addition to being a public health hazard, lack of public bathroom facilities has led to the criminalization of unsheltered communities who are unable to use the bathroom with privacy and dignity. Access to public bathrooms is a human right and the County must prioritize this in the current fiscal planning.

A lack of bathrooms poses unnecessary challenges for workers on the go, people with disabilities, and families who cannot access diaper changing stations. I strongly support the efforts to improve access to public restrooms and urge the Board of Supervisors to approve this proposal.

I strongly support this proposal to increase access to public bathroom facilities throughout the County. As a matter of equity, it is also crucial that the County ensures access to all-gender bathrooms, with adequate signage. Please implement all recommendations outlined in this proposal.

As San Diego County becomes more populated, it’s vital that residents and visitors have access to clean restrooms, as both a matter of public health and equity. I strongly urge the County to implement these recommendations to improve the conditions of public restroom facilities throughout our region.