Boston Launches Interactive Map Showing Public Restroom Locations

Boston is expanding community access to public restrooms by mapping them citywide across libraries, community centers, firehouses, hotels, police stations, and select restaurants.

A Boston.com report noted that the city's Age Strong Commission created the interactive map of public restrooms by neighborhood. The map not only serves a convenience function but also meets a public health requirement.

Under Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 270, § 26), people with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or another qualifying medical condition can request access to employee-only restrooms in certain retail settings, as long as specific criteria are met, including the absence of nearby public restrooms and physician documentation.

Public restrooms include the Boston Public Library system, 24/7 fire stations, Harbor-area hotels with public stalls, police stations, and certain restaurants that allow restroom use without a purchase.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored a visibility issue for public restrooms, as building closures reduced options and highlighted the importance of having accessible facilities. Anna Fahey-Flynn, manager of the Boston Public Library Central Library, told Boston.com that the map's release underscores the idea that public restrooms are not a luxury — they're essential.

The Age Strong Commission did not provide further comment for this story.