New Bloomfield Law Requires 'Gender-Neutral' Bathroom Signs: What To Know

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Get ready to wave goodbye to "men's" and "women's" signs at public bathrooms in Bloomfield.

A new local law will require gender-neutral signs to be posted on all single-occupancy restrooms in places of public accommodation and municipal buildings open to the public.

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The Bloomfield Township Council unanimously voted to pass the ordinance on second reading at their July 13 meeting. Businesses or other entities falling under the new law will have 180 days to comply.

Permitted signs include those with the word "restroom," or a universally recognized symbol which shows that the bathroom is open to all people. Other examples of acceptable wording include "all-gender restroom," "gender-neutral restroom" or "unisex restroom."

The law doesn't require entities to build a new bathroom or make an employee-only bathroom available to the public.

Violators will get a written warning and have 30 days to correct the situation. Those who don't will face a maximum fine of $2,000 for each offense. Each day on which a violation continues following expiration of the cure period shall be considered a separate and distinct violation.

Exemptions will be made is a business or other entity can show that it would violate or conflict with the state plumbing code or other applicable state or federal laws.

Town council member Tracy Toler-Phillips said the ordinance is a "historic win" for Bloomfield, which now joins other Essex County towns such as Montclair, Maplewood and West Orange. She credited Bloomfield Pride and Garden State Equality for providing advocacy and guidance involving the new local law.

The full text of the ordinance follows below:

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD TO REQUIRE ALL-GENDER SIGNAGE FOR SINGLE-OCCUPANCY RESTROOMS IN PLACES OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION AND MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

WHEREAS, the Township of Bloomfield finds and declares that practices of discrimination with respect to the use of restroom facilities because of gender identity or expression are matters of public concern; and

WHEREAS, ensuring that all persons, regardless of gender identity or expression, have safe and comfortable access to single-occupancy restroom facilities promotes the public health, safety, and general welfare; and

WHEREAS, the Township seeks to align its local regulations with best practices for inclusivity and accessibility for families, individuals with disabilities who require assistance, and the transgender and non-binary communities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Township Council of the Township of Bloomfield, County of Essex, State of New Jersey, as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions.

As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

APPROPRIATE SIGNAGE: Signage indicating that a single-occupancy restroom is available for use by any person regardless of gender. Examples include, but are not limited to, signs containing the words "All-Gender Restroom," "Gender-Neutral Restroom," "Unisex Restroom," or simply "Restroom," or signs utilizing universally recognized symbols indicating that the restroom is available to all persons. No particular wording, design, color, or symbol shall be required, provided the signage reasonably indicates that the restroom is available for use by any person regardless of gender.

COVERED ENTITY: Any place of public accommodation, as defined by the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq., and any municipally owned building or facility open to the public.

PLACE OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION: Shall have the meaning set forth in the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq., as amended.

SINGLE-OCCUPANCY RESTROOM: A restroom intended for use by one occupant at a time, or by a family or person requiring assistance, that is capable of being secured by the user from the inside.

SECTION 2. All-Gender Single-Occupancy Restrooms Required.

Ordinance (ID # 13864)Meeting of July 13, 2026

A. All single-occupancy restrooms located within a Covered Entity shall be designated as all-gender for individual, family, or assisted use.

B. Covered Entities shall use Appropriate Signage to indicate that such facilities are designated for use by any person, regardless of sex or gender identity.

C. Single-occupancy restrooms designated as accessible to persons with disabilities may also be identified as all-gender through appropriate signage reflecting both designations.

D. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a Covered Entity to construct a new restroom or make a private employee-only restroom available to the general public unless otherwise required by law.

SECTION 3. Exceptions and Waivers.

A Covered Entity may obtain a waiver from the requirements of this Article if it demonstrates in writing to the satisfaction of the Construction Official that compliance would violate or conflict with the State Plumbing Code or other applicable state or federal laws.

SECTION 4. Consistency with Other Laws.

This Article shall be interpreted and enforced in a manner consistent with the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq., the Uniform Construction Code, the State Plumbing Code, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In the event of a conflict between this Article and applicable state or federal law, such state or federal law shall control.

SECTION 5. Applicability and Effective Date.

A. New Establishments. All new Covered Entities shall be in compliance with this Article immediately upon opening to the public.

B. Existing Establishments. Existing Covered Entities shall have one hundred eighty (180) days from the effective date of this ordinance to comply by removing gender-specific signage and replacing it with Appropriate Signage.

SECTION 6. Enforcement.

During any routine inspection by the Municipal Construction Official, Building Inspector, Code Enforcement Official, Health Officer, or Fire Inspector, the official may inspect the premises for compliance with this Article. Additionally, the Township may investigate complaints regarding non-compliance received from members of the public.

If a violation is identified, the Township shall issue a written Notice of Violation to the owner or operator of the Covered Entity. The owner or operator shall have thirty (30) days from receipt of the Notice of Violation to correct the violation.

SECTION 7. Violations and Penalties.

Any person or entity that fails to cure a violation within the thirty-day cure period set forth herein, or who commits a subsequent violation after notice has been provided, shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine not exceeding $2,000 for each offense.

Each day on which a violation continues following expiration of the cure period shall be considered a separate and distinct violation.

SECTION 8. Severability.

If any section, paragraph, subsection, clause, or provision of this Article is adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall apply only to the specific section, paragraph, subsection, clause, or provision so adjudged, and the remainder of this Article shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Effective Date.

This Ordinance shall take effect upon final passage and publication according to law.

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