Public Bathrooms in Public Buildings NC

[publicbathrooms2024]

Jurisdiction

North Carolina

Trying to find any laws pertaining to public bathrooms in public buildings in NC. A local town is planning on locking (closing) the bathrooms where no one will be allowed to use them, in a building in which they own and where a library is located. Apparently drug users are flushing their needles and clogging the toilets. Any guidance if this legal would be great!

 

[army judge]

Any guidance if this legal would be great!

Ask your local elected leaders, ie: city council members, mayor, county commission members, elected state leaders, governor, Lt. Governor, etc...

Alternatively you could retain the services of any number of local attorneys.

 

[zddoodah]

Here you go.

 

[Michael Wechsler]

Trying to find any laws pertaining to public bathrooms in public buildings in NC. A local town is planning on locking (closing) the bathrooms where no one will be allowed to use them, in a building in which they own and where a library is located. Apparently drug users are flushing their needles and clogging the toilets. Any guidance if this legal would be great!

Question: What are you trying to accomplish?

Any time a government action is clearly rational and based on good reasoning and reasonable evidence and a compelling need, chances are probably high that you'd be wasting your time challenging it. If they are dealing with the above epidemic and it's true, what result are you actually hoping to obtain that makes sense for them to keep open the bathrooms if they are getting shut down quickly and costing the municipality a substantial sum to address? You're probably best served trying to learn more about how the situation is being addressed. They may need time to investigate potential solutions and shut the bathrooms based on an urgent need to do so, and formulate a new plan. If this is a permanent long term solution without a plan, this may be something to look into.

 

[TimRibbs]

You may want to check North Carolina building codes and public health regulations, as some laws require public facilities to maintain accessible restrooms, especially in buildings like libraries. If the town owns the building, they might have the authority to restrict access, but it could raise legal concerns under ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) if it limits access for those who need it. Consulting a local attorney or reaching out to the state health department could help clarify whether this decision is lawful.