MOTION 2018-08:
A MOTION OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 
to develop a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport genderinclusive
restroom plan.
ADOPTED 
MAY 22, 2018 
INTRODUCTION 
The Port of Seattle is committed to leveraging its role as an international gateway and countywide
government to maximize the safety, inclusion, and welcoming of all members of our
community. We strive to protect the rights and uphold equity for all King County residents and
provide fair and equal access to services, benefits, and opportunities.
TEXT OF THE MOTION 
The commission hereby directs port staff to develop a plan to ensure that all existing and future
single-occupant restrooms at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), beyond meeting
the requirements set by the Washington State Building Code (WSBC), are designated for use by
any person, regardless of sex or gender identity,1 and that appropriate signage is used to
indicate this fact. The plan will be due to commission by September 30, 2018.
A temporary Port working group shall be established to develop recommendations on future
restroom design and gender-inclusive signage. The working group will produce a final report
that includes recommended design and signage, timelines, costs, alternatives, and implications
considered. The working group will include, but not be limited to, representatives from the
following: the Aviation team such as Aviation Operations, Capital Programs, Aviation Project
Management Group, Aviation Facilities and Infrastructure, Airport Building Department, and
Aviation  Customer  Service  Department;  Development  and  Diversity  Council;  Capital
Development; Public Affairs; and Employee Resource Groups. The working group shall also seek
input from community stakeholders.


1 Gender identity means a person's gender-related identity, appearance, or expression, whether or not
traditionally associated with one's biological sex or one's sex at birth, and includes a person's attitudes,
preferences, beliefs, and practices pertaining thereto.

Motion 2018-08, Sea-Tac Gender-Inclusive Restroom Plan Development                              Page 1 of 3

In addition, the commission directs port staff to explore whether this requirement can be
applied to all existing and future single-occupant restrooms at all port facilities and be referred
to a commission committee for future policy development consideration. 
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION 
The port is committed to being a more equitable, inclusive, and diverse organization. The port
recognizes equity as an integral part of policy, processes, and programs that are woven into all
daily activities within the port and the community we serve. This effort is critical to: 
The core values of the organization 
Pursuing our mission and the Century Agenda 
Attracting and retaining talent with shared values 
Improving the quality of work-life integration 
Sustaining an environment that treats people and communities fairly and equitably 
Restrooms are often the first and last impression of the facility to the traveling public and
frequently identified as the single most important amenity to influence the passenger
experience. As the operator of Sea-Tac, the port recognizes that all persons and groups of
people should have access to restrooms and other gender-specific facilities, regardless of sex,
gender identity, ability, or parental status. 
All restrooms at port facilities are designed to meet the current International Building Code and
the WSBC. The WSBC sets minimum thresholds for ma le, female,  and family restrooms,
quantity of  fixtures required,  and  required  signage.  Today, the WSBC does not include
specifications and/or guidelines for gender-inclusive restrooms. 
Gender-inclusive restrooms are facilities that anyone can use regardless of gender. They can be
single  or  multi-stall.  Gender-inclusive  restrooms  benefit  a  variety  of  people,  including
transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. Gender-inclusive restrooms create a safe
space for employees and community members to use the restroom. 
Restrooms accommodate a basic need for all passengers. Despite existing protections on the
basis of gender identity, transgender and gender nonconforming people often experience
harassment, intimidation, refusal of access, and in some cases, violence, when trying to use
public restrooms and other gender-specific facilities consistent with their gender identities.
These experiences sometimes lead to significant health problems and contribute to emotional
stress from having to avoid using public restrooms. 
In August 2015, the City of Seattle adopted All-Gender Restroom Ordinance No. 124829. The
ordinance applies to existing and newly-built city facilities, as well as in public places in Seattle.
It allows use of single-occupant restrooms by any person, regardless of sex or gender identity,
and prevents those restrooms from being restricted to a specific sex or gender identity. Single-

Motion 2018-08, Sea-Tac Gender-Inclusive Restroom Plan Development                               Page 2 of 3

occupant restroom facilities without appropriate signage already in place will require new signs
to be posted. 
In 2017, a community member reached out to Port Commissioner Stephanie Bowman and
asked whether the port would consider gender-inclusive restroom signage at Sea-Tac. In
response, the port replaced existing family restroom signage at Sea-Tac with new signage that
indicates the restroom is available for use by all people and families. The port aviation staff
worked with the port's Development and Diversity Council and the Airport Building Department
to develop signage that meets WSBC requirements. In 2018, leaders from the local transgender
community met with Port Commissioner Courtney Gregoire to discuss a range of topics
including the revised restroom signage. 
Sea-Tac is one of the fastest growing airports in the nation with one of the smallest operational
footprint. Demand for Sea-Tac has increased 41 percent over the last five years, rising from
33.2 million passengers in 2012 to 46.9 million passengers in 2017 making Sea-Tac the 9th
busiest airport in the country. In January 2018, our economic impact study found that Sea-Tac
supports $22.5 billion in economic activity and 151,000 jobs. 
This growth means the port must build and renovate to accommodate the traffic and travelers
that are coming right now and in the future. To do that, the port has invested $3 billion in 
capital projects from expanding and renovating the North Satellite to building a much-needed
new International Arrivals Facility  and a new highly efficient baggage system. The  port
recognizes that space at Sea-Tac is at a premium and there is opportunity cost associated with
building facilities.









Motion 2018-08, Sea-Tac Gender-Inclusive Restroom Plan Development                               Page 3 of 3