ADA Restroom Requirements For Your Bar Or Restaurant

Bars, restaurants, and other businesses offering food and beverage services must comply with strict health and safety regulations. There are specific ADA restroom requirements that need to be followed for customers and employees. Ensure your business follows proper rules by using this article as your guide.

Minimum Restroom Requirements

Generally, the minimum requirement for public restrooms is one toilet for every 30 women and 60 men. Small establishments can combine facilities for customers and employees, but larger ones need to have separate restrooms. For small businesses that exclusively provide carryout service, they are only required to build restrooms for employees.

While not required, clearly marked directions to the restrooms should be placed in the bar or restaurant if needed. All stall doors also have to be lockable to ensure customers’ and employees’ comfort and privacy.

Accessibility According to the ADA Restroom Requirements

ADA Restroom Requirements emphasize the importance of public restrooms being accessible to everyone, especially for people with disabilities and individuals in wheelchairs. Restrooms have to be equipped with special amenities, such as handrails, level or ramp access, and wider doors. 

Restrooms for people with disabilities should have clear labels. They can come in combined facilities with a single handicap-accessible stall or a multi-stall facility accessible for men and women.

Exceptions to Restroom Rules

Local restroom regulations can vary depending on the state. However, in general, small businesses with less than 1,200 square feet of space that accommodate less than 20 employees and customers at one time may only have one unisex restroom. It just has to be handicap-accessible. This rule exception is only applicable in some jurisdictions, which is why it’s important to check with a health inspector.

Locations 

Convenience is crucial when it comes to designing restrooms in bars and restaurants. Customers must have easy access to these facilities from the receiving and dining areas. For this reason, they should not have to pass through preparation areas, basements, or back rooms to reach restrooms. Here are some ideal restroom locations:

• Toilet Stalls

A standard toilet stall must have a minimum depth of 56-inches. When opened at a 90-degree angle, its door should have a minimum width of 32-inches. Toe clearances are specified to be at least nine inches off of the floor on the stall’s partitions.

According to the ADA Restroom Requirements, toilet facilities must be accessible to people with disabilities via a safe route. At least one of the toilet stalls should also have grab bars.

• Urinals

When designing restrooms, bar and restaurant owners should prioritize the customers’ and employees’ comfort. For this reason, urinal areas must have a floor space of at least 30-inches by 48-inches. This spot must not overlap the facility’s route.

As for the urinals themselves, they must be at a maximum height of 17 inches off of the floor. They have to be placed in individual stalls or mounted on the wall. Additionally, the flush valve must be installed at a maximum height of 44 inches from the floor.

Conclusion

Part of providing an exceptional customer experience in bars and restaurants is maintaining restrooms that comply with safety and health regulations. That being said, business owners should never overlook restroom design. To ensure your facility complies with ADA Restroom Requirements, partner with a trusted construction material wholesaler.

At SBI Contracting, we take pride in being experts in commercial restrooms. We carry a wide range of restroom accessories, toilet partitions and hardware, and other items that will help you create facilities that comply with ADA restroom requirements. Contact us to check out our showroom or learn more about what we offer in Boise, Idaho!