The Portland City Council has enacted a new ordinance requiring businesses—classified as places of public accommodation—to post gender‑inclusive signage on single‑occupant restrooms. The mandate, part of City Code Section 23.01.071, stipulates that restrooms labeled “men” or “women” must instead use all‑user signage unaffiliated with a specific gender. The policy aims to improve accessibility for a broad range of individuals, including caregivers, people with health conditions, and members of transgender, nonbinary, and gender‑expansive communities. Signage replacement is minimal in cost, and the city intends to distribute sample signs to assist businesses in compliance.

Enforcement will be complaint‑driven: individuals may report noncompliance through 311, after which Portland Permitting & Development will investigate allegations and take appropriate action. The ordinance does not require businesses to construct new facilities or physically alter restrooms—only to update signage. The city projects modest notice costs as part of its Fiscal Year 2026‑27 budget planning.

Although Portland has long applied all‑user restroom standards to city‑owned facilities (via Resolution 37175, adopted in 2015), the new ordinance extends these nondiscrimination requirements to private and commercial venues. A host of other jurisdictions—Washington, D.C.; Seattle; Philadelphia; California; Vermont; Illinois; New Mexico; New York State; and Chicago—have already implemented similar policies.

This measure reflects an ongoing effort to eliminate gender‑based barriers and advance equitable access in public accommodations, aligning Portland with a growing trend toward inclusive restroom policies.

Why this matters
The policy matters locally because it affirms Portland’s commitment to public inclusion and the dignity of all residents. By clarifying that single‑occupant restrooms must be accessible to all regardless of gender identity, the city removes ambiguity and potential exclusion in everyday public interactions. The minimal cost and logistical burden placed on businesses also make this a practical step toward greater civic accessibility.