City of Philadelphia - File #: 050617

• File #: 050617
• Version: 0
• Type: Bill
• Status: LAPSED
• File created: 6/9/2005
• In control: Committee on Licenses and Inspections
• Title: Amending Chapter 5 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Non-Residential Occupancies" by adding a new Section PM-504.5 entitled "Minimum Water Closets in Places of Public Assembly" to alleviate the unequal impact inconveniencing women.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Rizzo, Councilmember Krajewski, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Clarke, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Ramos, Council President Verna, Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember Mariano, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Kelly, Councilmember Cohen, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember Nutter

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
6/9/2005	0	CITY COUNCIL	Referred
6/9/2005	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass

Title
Amending Chapter 5 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Non-Residential Occupancies" by adding a new Section PM-504.5 entitled "Minimum Water Closets in Places of Public Assembly" to alleviate the unequal impact inconveniencing women.
Body
WHEREAS, Almost every woman can recall waiting in a long line to use the bathroom, while there was no comparable line for a neighboring men's bathroom; and

WHEREAS, According to studies by Dr. Sandra Rawls on patterns of behavior in the use of bathrooms, it frequently takes women twice as long to use the bathroom as it does men; and

WHEREAS, The 2003 International Building Code requires approximately twice as many water closets for women as for men in arenas, bars, concert halls, convention halls, motion picture theatres, public dance halls, stadiums, and theatres; and

WHEREAS, The lack of equality between men and women results in the continuation of inconveniences seemingly directed at women; and

WHEREAS, Numerous jurisdictions, including California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and New York City, have enacted restroom equity laws; NOW, THEREFORE,


THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 5 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Non-Residential Occupancies" by adding a new Section PM-504.5 entitled "Minimum Water Closets in Places of Public Assembly"

PM-504.5.1 Definitions.
PM-504.5.2 Applicability.
PM-504.5.3 Minimum requirements.
PM-504.5.4 Waivers.
PM-504.5.1 Definitions:
a. "Convention hall" shall mean any building or space utilized, during the major period of occupancy, for the holding of exhibitions or conventions.
b. "Specified place of public assembly" shall mean any arena, bar, concert hall, convention hall, motion picture theatre, public dance hall, stadium, or theatre open to the general public.
c. "Public dance hall" shall mean any building or space utilized, during the major...