That the City Manager is requested to direct relevant City departments and staff to examine and report back on whether the city can require single-stall public bathrooms to be gender-neutral.

POR 2026-61 FIRST IN COUNCIL March 23, 2026 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN MAYOR SIDDIQUI COUNCILLOR SIMMONS COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI COUNCILLOR FLAHERTY COUNCILLOR NOLAN COUNCILLOR AZEEM WHEREAS: Members of the public, regardless of their gender, should be granted access to safe, clean bathrooms in public accommodations throughout Cambridge; and WHEREAS: Cities and states across the United States require single-stall public bathrooms to be gender-neutral, including the cities of Denver, Colorado; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and Washington, D.C. and the states of California, Illinois, New Mexico, New York, and Vermont; and WHEREAS: In 2012, Cambridge adopted a city-wide policy to encourage the establishment of gender-neutral bathrooms in City-owned buildings and privately-owned public use buildings, in line with the State Plumbing Code; and WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has been unable to require that single-stall public bathrooms be gender-neutral due to the State Plumbing Code, as city ordinances cannot conflict with the Plumbing Code; and WHEREAS: On December 8, 2023, changes to the State Plumbing Code went into effect, including new regulations regarding gender-neutral bathrooms; and WHEREAS: Given the recent changes to the State Plumbing Code, the City should revisit this issue to determine whether the City can require single-stall public bathrooms to be gender-neutral; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department, the Inspectional Services Department, the Law Department and any other appropriate City departments and staff to examine whether the City can enact an ordinance requiring all new buildings and places of public accommodation in Cambridge that is required to have public restrooms to have at least one single-stall bathroom with gender-neutral signage, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner. In City Council March 23, 2026. Adopted by a yea and nay vote:- Yeas 9; Nays 0; Absent 0.- Attest:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane Interim City Clerk