In California, access to handwashing facilities is governed by state and local public health regulations. These rules establish when and where sinks, soap, and drying methods must be available. The requirements vary depending on the environment, such as a public park, a private business, or a workplace.
General Public Access to Handwashing Facilities
Many publicly accessible areas, like parks, libraries, and transit stations, provide restrooms for public use. While not mandated for every public space, the California Code of Regulations specifies that certain facilities, such as organized camps, must provide handwashing stations next to all flush toilets. These stations must include soap and a method for drying hands.
Publicly available facilities must be kept in a clean, sanitary, and unobstructed condition. For example, facilities at public swimming pools must be properly supplied with items like soap and toilet tissue.1LII / Legal Information Institute. Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 22, § 65551 – Cleaning of Ancillary Facilities The specific number and type of facilities are often dictated by local building and plumbing codes.
Handwashing Requirements in California Businesses for Customers
The California Retail Food Code, or CalCode, mandates that permanent food facilities with on-site consumption must provide clean toilet facilities for patrons. This applies to any restaurant, cafe, or bar where customers eat or drink on the premises. Regulations ensure that customers do not have to pass through food preparation or storage areas to access the restroom.
An adequate handwashing station under CalCode must provide warm water under pressure for at least 15 seconds. The station must also have a soap dispenser and either single-use sanitary towels or a hot-air dryer. A food facility constructed before January 1, 2004, might be exempt if it posts a sign that restrooms are not available, but a first-time violation results in a warning, with subsequent violations carrying a fine of up to $250.
Employee Handwashing Standards in California Workplaces
Employers in California must provide handwashing facilities for their employees, governed by regulations from Cal/OSHA. Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations requires that washing facilities be provided in every place of employment and be reasonably accessible to all employees; these facilities must also be kept in good working order and sanitary condition.2Department of Industrial Relations. California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 3366. Washing Facilities.
For industries like food service, the rules are more stringent. The California Retail Food Code requires dedicated handwashing sinks in food preparation and warewashing areas, separate from sinks used for other purposes. In other settings, such as construction sites, employers must provide at least one wash station for every 20 employees, located near toilets.3Department of Industrial Relations. California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1527. Washing Facilities, Food Handling, and Temporary Sleeping Quarters. These stations must have an adequate supply of water, soap, and single-use towels or an air blower; waterless sanitizers are not an acceptable substitute.
Prohibited or Inappropriate Handwashing Locations
While access to handwashing is mandated in many contexts, certain locations are inappropriate or legally prohibited. Using public decorative fountains for personal washing is forbidden by local ordinances because these fountains use recirculated water that is not treated for hygiene purposes.
Using water from non-potable sources, such as irrigation systems or industrial water supplies, for handwashing is unsafe and not permitted. Regulations also focus on preventing water waste, so washing must not create significant runoff onto public walkways or streets. The emphasis is on using designated facilities to ensure handwashing is effective and does not create safety hazards.