Gender-Neutral Bathrooms In West Orange; Proposed Ordinance Advances

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A proposed ordinance that would require businesses in West Orange to have gender-neutral bathrooms took a step forward last week. The local law would also apply to township-owned buildings and “places of public accommodation.”

The West Orange Town Council voted in favor of the ordinance on first reading at their meeting on March 25. A public hearing and second vote will have to take place before it goes on the books.

Some details of the ordinance include:

• All single-occupancy restrooms in any business establishment, place of public accommodation, and township-owned building or facility shall be designated as all gender for any individual, family, or assisted use. This includes single-occupancy restrooms intended for use by township employees or employees of a business or public accommodation.
• Existing business establishments, places of public accommodation, and township facilities subject to this section shall have 60 days from the effective date of this ordinance to comply by replacing existing gender-specific signage on the exterior of single-occupancy restrooms with signs that do not indicate a specific gender (such as signs that read "restroom"). New businesses, places of public accommodation, and township facilities shall be in compliance with this section immediately upon opening to the public.
• During any inspection of a business or a place of public accommodation by an employee of the township of West Orange Zoning Department, Building Department, or other local official, the inspector or official may inspect for compliance with this ordinance.

Read the full ordinance below, or view it online here.

Several people spoke about the proposed ordinance during the public comment portion of the meeting. Watch footage below (video is cued to public comment).

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